The 5th ISN Annual Gathering held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, this month marked a significant milestone in the development of Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem. The event, with the theme “Scaling Together: Building a Collaborative Culture for Nigerian Innovation,” was an opportunity to reflect on the progress made and look ahead at the ambitious goals for the future.
Charles Uche Emembolu, Founder of Dexude and Chairman of the Innovation Support Network (ISN) Board, expressed pride in the accomplishments of the network since its inception in 2019. Emembolu highlighted the impressive growth of ISN, which now supports 207 innovation hubs across 30 states, up from 75 in its early years. The network has also been instrumental in supporting over 5,000 new businesses annually and impacting the lives of more than 42,000 beneficiaries, including youth, women, and people with disabilities.
“We’ve come a long way, and this year’s gathering is a testament to the power of collaboration and creativity in driving Nigeria’s innovation forward,” said Emembolu. “Our mission is to build partnerships that will help accelerate Nigeria’s growth and empower its people.”
Key collaborations were also highlighted during the gathering, with ISN strengthening ties with organizations such as GIZ Nigeria & ECOWAS, the Digital Transformation Centre Nigeria, NITDA, Innovate UK, and the European Union Delegation to Nigeria. These partnerships are central to the continued growth of Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.
The discussions at the event also focused on the creation of the Nigeria Innovation Fund, a private sector-led initiative aimed at providing vital resources for startups, SMEs, researchers, and innovation hubs. The proposal aims to boost funding for innovation efforts and create jobs within the ecosystem.
Looking ahead, Emembolu shared the network’s ambitious yet achievable goals: increasing funding for startups, fostering deeper collaboration across sectors, and creating more job opportunities. “Together, we’ve built a powerful network, but our journey is far from over,” he emphasized.
The gathering also provided a platform to thank key partners and supporters, including the Akwa Ibom State Government, Akwa Ibom Tech Week, and Charles Udoh, the Commissioner for Arts and Culture for Akwa Ibom State. Special thanks were extended to the ISN Secretariat, board members, partners, and Executive Director Oge Nnaife for their continued commitment and efforts.
The 5th ISN Annual Gathering 2024 ended on an optimistic note, with a commitment to further strengthening Nigeria’s position as a leader in digital, creative, technological, and entrepreneurial innovation globally.
About ISN:
The Innovation Support Network (ISN) is a key organization driving Nigeria’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. It is dedicated to fostering partnerships, supporting startups, and empowering Nigerian innovators.
