Nigerian Innovation Hub TechX recently launched with the goal of combating youth unemployment, crime and poverty by providing an intensive capacity building and youth empowerment program, with emphasis on training persons in the ages 15–30 in ICT. The hub also seeks to transform the manufacturing and distribution component of Aba and Onitsha markets in the South Eastern region of Nigeria. Innovation Village caught up the with the President of the Young Innovators of Nigeria (YIN) and Executive Director of TechX Andrew Abu who tells us more about the Hub, its mission and his take on the Nigeria tech and startup ecosystem.
A brief history on TechX Innovation Hub
In recent years, parameters of measuring the growth and development of an economy have reflected a new emphasis on knowledge economy indices, incorporating performances in 4 major areas; business environment, education, manufacturing, innovation, and ICT. In the drive towards a knowledge-based economy by countries all over the world, the role of ICT becomes particularly important. On the premise of the status quo painted above, we introduce the establishment of TechX Innovation Hub in ENUGU Capital city for ICT Skills development across the state and the other states of southeastern Nigeria. The focus of this initiative is to provide an intensive capacity building and youth empowerment program, with emphasis on training persons in the ages 15–30 in ICT, transforming the manufacturing and distribution component of the Aba and Onitsha markets by creating a collaborative and interactive e-commerce platform to put their business on the global map, Innovation and entrepreneurship skills set development, training and consultancy services. The project envisions equipping its target audience with marketable ICT skills that increase their employability, life opportunities and promotes indigenous capacity for innovation, research and product development and in the not too distant long term, wealth creation. We are also working putting on the global map the products and services of the Aba and Onitsha Markets.
The initiative targets young Nigerians who are within the specified age bracket that the country needs to intensify efforts to meet the nation’s socio-economic aspiration.
TechX Innovation Hub recently launched; can you tell us what it is all about?
Techx Innovation Hub started by mapping out and collaborating with relevant stakeholders such as the Media, Regulators, Hub owners, Tertiary Institutions, State Government , Federal Government, SMEs, Multilateral Agencies, Embassies, Equipment Manufacturers, Ministries, Departments, Agencies and other important stakeholders in order to find possible ways it can synergize as a group and penetrate ICT all over the East.
What motivated the creation of TechX Innovation Hub?
Our country has recently witnessed dwindling fortunes as a result of the volatility in the international oil markets. This state of affairs has stalled economic development, thus making it difficult for the government to provide the necessary social safety and benefits for the citizens. The level of unemployment cannot absorb the teeming number of graduates coming out of universities every year, this has led to a high level of criminality and other social vices now prevalent in our communities. In realization of these challenges, our organization has decided to set up an ICT Innovation Hub in Enugu to contribute to our quota towards addressing this problem in the South East Ecosystem. In 2016 in collaboration with the Young Innovators of Nigeria, The Nigerian Communications Commission sponsored the organization to carry out a study of the ICT ecosystem in the South East to determine the level of ICT and Innovation penetration in the region. The report showed that the level of ICT penetration was very low and that something needed to be done to address it as the region has very few industries and organizations that can absorb the rising number of unemployed graduates in the ecosystem.
There are several Incubators in Nigeria, what unique services or facilities does TechX Innovation Hub have to offer?
Tech X Innovation Hub is an innovative and multi-functional center that accelerates the application of science and technology in business, waste management and developing the capacity of young people in the southeast and beyond with transformation skills such as computer programming, drones, graphics design, artificial intelligence, robotics and the Internet of Things (IoT).
We are the first technology hub in Enugu. We offer a wide range of services including; business incubation, mentorship, space facility, access to funding and networking opportunities
Also, Tech X Innovation Hub is a social innovation center with the goal of rapidly accelerating the development of commerce in the southeast using technology as a tool and helping people with ordinary ideas grow into proper businesses. We offer a wide range of support starting from mentorship, space facility, and access to funding and networking opportunities
The hub is innovation oriented and multi-functional for startups, serves as a meeting point for entrepreneurs and developers to co-work and grow. Basically what we do is get more people into co-working and technology because we believe that tech is the biggest way to get more people across the poverty line. We are the first technology hub in Enugu and the largest in Southeast Nigeria.
Just as the name implies, Tech x stands for Technology Extra- this means that technology not applied is useless. Technology has to be applied to deliver value to lives and businesses. The X factor of technology is anchored on the things it can accomplish to contribute to human development. The strategic vision of Tech X is focused on four key areas,i.e the 4A’s of technological advancement, they include Awareness, Access, Adoption, and Application
How can prospective users access TechX Innovation Hub?
TechX Innovation Hub is open to ideas and incubations at all times, clients can access the hub by visiting the hub, visiting our website: techxihub.org.ng, our social media handles on:
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/techxinnovation hub
Instagram: https://www.instagram,com/@techxinnovatio2
Twitter: https://www.instagram,com/@techxinnovatio2
Gmail: https://www.gmail.com/hello@techxihub.org.ng
Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/techx- innovation-hub-905116176
From your point of view how would you rate the Nigerian tech startup ecosystem and in what areas do you think the ecosystem needs support?
The startup ecosystem is picking up the pace in places that the ecosystem has been established there is more awareness about the startup culture and with the recent success with some of the startups, I think there is cause to be very optimistic about the future startups, area of mentorship and coaching is one key area that needs attention.
What do you think is unique about Nigerian Innovators in the tech startup ecosystem and despite the harsh realities of the economy, what do you think drives them?
With the challenges in the country, the startups are faced with the challenge of developing solutions that will turn the fortunes of the country around. This I believe is a unique motivating factor.
What are the future plans for TechX Innovation Hub?
Continued efforts at reducing the rate of crime, unemployment and poverty with the establishment of an innovative and multi-functional center that accelerates the application of science and technology in business, waste management and developing the capacity of young people in the southeast and beyond with transformed skills such as computer programming drones, graphics designs, artificial intelligence, robotics and internet of things.
