Nigeria’s technology and startup ecosystem has entered a new chapter of leadership with the election of Hanson Johnson, Founder and CEO of Start Innovation Hub, as the new Board Chairman of the Innovation Support Network (ISN) Hubs. The announcement, made earlier this week, has sparked excitement across the country’s innovation community, which sees his appointment as a strategic step toward strengthening the national startup landscape.
Johnson, who described his election as both an honour and a responsibility, thanked members of the ISN family for the confidence they have placed in him. He reaffirmed his commitment to fulfilling the network’s core vision of positioning ISN Hubs as the unrivaled powerhouse for innovative startups in Nigeria. The organisation, which now represents more than 230 innovation hubs spread across 32 states, has grown into one of the most influential bodies shaping Nigeria’s technology-driven economic transformation.
Under his leadership, ISN will focus on increasing the capacity of innovation hubs across the country, ensuring that they operate with higher efficiency, stronger standards, and more impactful programs. Johnson emphasized the importance of creating an environment where hubs can consistently deliver quality training, mentorship, and support that enable startups to scale sustainably.
A major part of the new administration’s focus will be driving meaningful investment into Nigeria’s startup ecosystem. Johnson highlighted the need for clear, well-structured pathways that connect startups with capital, markets, and strategic opportunities. He noted that ISN’s vast network gives it a unique advantage in curating a pipeline of rigorously vetted entrepreneurs who are ready for investment and global competitiveness.
The new Board also plans to deepen cohesion within Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem by amplifying ISN’s unified voice in shaping national policy. According to Johnson, effective policy advocacy must remain central to the mission, as enabling regulations and government support are critical for harnessing innovation as a tool for solving national challenges.
In his first official statement as Chairman, Johnson extended an open call for partnerships to a wide range of stakeholders. He invited development partners to collaborate on large-scale initiatives that build capacity across Nigeria’s diverse regions. He encouraged government agencies to work closely with ISN on policies that accelerate startup growth and unlock innovation-driven solutions for national problems. Investors and venture capitalists were urged to access ISN’s network of investment-ready startups, while corporates were encouraged to tap into the creative potential within hubs to support their own digital transformation goals.
Johnson concluded by reaffirming his commitment to collaboration, noting that building a stronger national innovation ecosystem will require the collective effort of all stakeholders. He expressed readiness to engage immediately, saying his channels are open for partnerships that will help drive impact at scale.
With new leadership, a clear strategic direction, and a growing national footprint, ISN Hubs stands poised to shape the next wave of Nigeria’s innovation-driven development.