Dike Onwuamaeze
The Bank of Industry (BOI) has mentioned that it created 15 tech and innovation hubs throughout the nation, which have impacted over 9,220 aspiring entrepreneurs and led to the creation of 950 startups.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Industry (BOI) is Dr. Olasupo Olusi disclosed this in a chat with newsmen in Lagos.
This, he mentioned, had been executed beneath the “BOI Innovation Tech Hub Program,” as a part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
He mentioned the creation of modern hubs had been primarily based on the popularity of the pivotal position that know-how and innovation play in driving financial progress, fostering entrepreneurship, and fixing urgent societal challenges.
He mentioned the BOI has created has created 15 tech and innovation hubs throughout the nation since 2018, which have impacted over 9,220 aspiring entrepreneurs and led to the creation of 950 startups throughout the nation.
“The financial institution’s goal in funding and sponsoring Tech/Innovation hubs is to nurture expertise, drive financial improvement and fostering collaboration and data sharing. We intention to offer aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators with the sources, mentorship and infrastructure they should flip their concepts into actuality. Through hackathons, and incubation applications, we empower people to unleash their full potential and drive constructive change of their communities.
“Through these hubs we have contributed to the development of vibrant ecosystems that attract investment, create jobs, and spur entrepreneurship. These hubs have driven economic activity, attracting startups, investors, and talent, and fostering a culture of innovation that propels entire industries forward. By fuelling innovation, we not only strengthen the competitiveness of our economy but also position ourselves at the forefront of technological advancement,” he mentioned.
According to him, tech and innovation hubs present platforms for collaboration, enabling people and organisations to change concepts, share data, and type partnerships.
He mentioned: “The hubs facilitate cross-pollination of ideas, encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, and foster a culture of open innovation. Through initiatives such as networking events, workshops, and knowledge-sharing sessions, we create opportunities for meaningful connections and collective learning, driving innovation at scale.”
Speaking on the intervention, Lead Youth and Skills Thematic Champion at BOI, Mrs. Aderonke Akinluyi, mentioned that the venture mirrored the financial institution’s dedication to eradicating sensible boundaries that forestall younger Nigerians from turning their expertise into sustainable enterprises.
Akinluyi mentioned: “For younger entrepreneurs, entry to dependable energy will not be merely an infrastructure situation; it’s a productiveness, competitiveness and, in the end, a livelihood situation. By offering these trend entrepreneurs with clear and reliable vitality, we’re serving to them decrease their working prices, which can in the end improve their revenue margins.
“At the BOI, in line with our youth and skills thematic area, our commitment is to equip young Nigerians with the skills and resources to build enterprises that translate their potential into sustainable economic value.”
Highlighting the impression of the set up, the Secretary, Lagos Island Artisans, Adebayo Kafayat Adebukonla, mentioned that dependable electrical energy is already bettering how beneficiaries serve their clients.
Adebukonla mentioned: “Before this solar installation, constant power outages made it difficult to meet deadlines and grow our businesses. Now, with a reliable and steady electricity supply, we can deliver finished clothes to our customers on time while reducing our carbon footprint. This has boosted customer confidence and it is inspiring more young people in our community to pursue careers in fashion design.”
