Nigeria’s startup ecosystem has grown rapidly over the past decade, but access to structured support remains uneven outside major tech clusters. iHatch Cohort 5 is attempting to address that imbalance, starting with the hubs themselves.
The iHatch has opened applications for Innovation Hubs across Nigeria to serve as state-level Hub Managers for its fifth cohort. The programme, implemented by the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation under the National Information Technology Development Agency in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency, is designed to strengthen the infrastructure that supports early-stage founders nationwide.
Rather than focusing only on startup recruitment, iHatch adopts a systems-level approach: build stronger hubs, standardise incubation quality, and improve Founder mentorship outcomes across all 36 states and the FCT.
A Decentralised Incubation Model
For Cohort 5, one hub will be selected per state and the FCT, bringing the total to 37 Hub Managers nationwide. These hubs will be responsible for delivering structured incubation programming within their states for at least one year.
Selected Hub Managers will:
* Coordinate founder training and mentorship
* Deliver incubation activities aligned with national programme standards
* Support startup formalisation and growth readiness
* Serve as the primary implementation partners at the state level
The move signals a deliberate attempt to decentralise incubation capacity, especially in regions where early-stage founders often operate without access to formal support systems.
Why Hubs, Not Just Founders?
While many innovation programmes in Nigeria focus exclusively on startups, iHatch places equal emphasis on strengthening the intermediaries, the hubs that shape founder development pipelines.
The programme’s thesis is straightforward: sustainable startup growth requires institutional capacity. By equipping hubs with structured tools, curriculum frameworks, and coordinated oversight, iHatch aims to create more consistent founder outcomes across regions.
In practice, this means selected hubs won’t just host activities — they’ll operate within a nationally coordinated implementation framework designed to standardise incubation delivery.
Who Should Apply?
The call is open to innovation hubs across all 36 states and the FCT that:
* Have operated for at least one year
* Demonstrate experience in startup support or innovation management
* Show a track record of ecosystem engagement
* Possess physical infrastructure suitable for incubation activities
For hubs outside Lagos, Abuja, or other established clusters, the opportunity represents a chance to plug directly into a federally backed innovation network with international partnership support.
Ecosystem Implications
As Nigeria continues to position itself as a leading tech hub in Africa, conversations around ecosystem depth, not just deal volume are becoming more prominent. By focusing on hub capability, iHatch appears to be targeting a structural issue: uneven incubation quality and regional concentration of support.
If successfully implemented, the model could:
* Expand structured incubation beyond traditional tech cities
* Improve founder readiness before investor engagement
* Strengthen collaboration between state-level hubs and national stakeholders
* Increase equitable access to innovation infrastructure
What’s Next?
Applications for Hub Managers are now open and will close on March 16.
Interested hubs can apply via the official portal:
https://ondi.nitda.gov.ng/#/ihatch
An official information session is available through ONDINigeria on YouTube and LinkedIn, where the programme team provides additional clarity on eligibility and implementation expectations.
