Inside the iHatch Upskilling Programme Closing Ceremony, an Initiative by the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation

The final day of the iHatch Hub Upskilling Programme brought together reflection, collaboration, and forward-looking action as the physical residency drew to a close. It was a moment that not only marked the end of an intensive learning phase but also reinforced the shared commitment to building a stronger, more connected innovation ecosystem across Nigeria.

The day opened with remarks from Victor Ejeh, Lead Programme Officer, who set a thoughtful and reflective tone for the sessions ahead. His address grounded the room in shared experiences, emphasizing the importance of continuity, collaboration, and the responsibility each participant carries beyond the programme. Hub Managers then took the stage, offering honest reflections on their journey, highlighting key learnings, challenges encountered, and the significant shifts in mindset and strategy that occurred throughout the programme.

The session was further enriched by remarks from the National Coordinator, ONDI, who provided deeper context on the programme’s evolution and its strategic alignment within Nigeria’s broader digital innovation agenda. This perspective underscored the intentional design of the iHatch programme as not just a training initiative, but a catalyst for long-term ecosystem growth and institutional capacity building.

This seamlessly led into a keynote address by Dr. Amina Sambo-Magaji, Director of Information Technology at NITDA, representing the Director-General. Speaking on “The $1 Trillion Economy Imperative: The Strategic Mandate of Innovation Intermediaries,” she highlighted the pivotal role innovation hubs must play as enablers of economic transformation. Her address challenged participants to think beyond immediate outputs and focus on building scalable, sustainable systems that contribute meaningfully to national development.

The day closed with an interactive session that created space for open dialogue between participants and leadership—fostering clarity, alignment, and renewed purpose. This was followed by media engagements and group photographs, capturing the spirit of the moment and the connections formed.

While the residency has come to an end, what lies ahead is even more significant. The relationships built, the knowledge gained, and the systems strengthened now serve as a foundation for continued impact, signaling not a conclusion, but the beginning of a more collaborative and resilient innovation ecosystem across Nigeria.