Residency has kicked off Following the official kickoff of the residency, Day 2 of the iHatch Cohort 5 Hub Managers Programme in Abuja moved beyond foundational learning into practical learning, collaboration, and real-world execution.
While Day 1 established the core principles of running effective innovation hubs, Day 2 focused on how those principles are applied in real-world contexts. The sessions were designed to bridge the gap between theory and execution, exposing Hub Managers to practical models of building and sustaining impactful ecosystems.
The day began with presentations from Ilorin Innovation Hub and CcHub Namibia, both offering grounded insights into the realities of operating innovation hubs within different environments, all within Africa. These sessions highlighted not just successes, but the operational challenges, strategic decisions, and long-term thinking required to build resilient hubs.
One of the key moments was the fireside chat titled “Zero to One – Lessons from Established Hub Operators.” Industry leaders including Jude Feranmi Adejuwon, Temi Kolawole, Ifeanyi Iloh, and Maryam Gwadebe shared their journeys of building and scaling innovation ecosystems from scratch to what it is now. Their discussion emphasized the importance of clarity of vision, adaptability, and the ability to build systems with structure that can grow sustainably over time.
The programme then transitioned into a virtual session led by Seun Adepoju, PhD, who introduced Design Thinking as a structured approach to solving complex problems. This session reinforced the need for Hub Managers to adopt user-centered, iterative methods when designing programmes and supporting startups.
The day concluded with hands-on workshops facilitated by Olamiposi Ekuma, where participants focused on designing startup support programmes and developing strategies for sourcing high-potential founders. These sessions encouraged active participation, ensuring that Hub Managers could translate insights and ideas into actionable frameworks tailored to their local location.
By the end of Day 2, a clear theme had emerged: building successful innovation ecosystems requires more than ideas, it demands structure, intentionality, and consistent execution.
As the residency progresses, the focus continues to shift from understanding the “what” and “why” to mastering and understanding the “how.” Each session brings Hub Managers closer to becoming not just facilitators, but builders of sustainable startups in Nigeria’s ecosystems.
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