Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has officially laid the foundation stone for the new Renewed Hope Startup Hub in Wuye, Abuja.
The project marks a major milestone in the nation’s push for digital inclusion, youth empowerment, and technological advancement.
The state-of-the-art facility is made possible through a strategic $10.4 million grant from the Government of Japan via the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Speaking at the event, Mrs Tinubu expressed appreciation to the Government of Japan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for providing the grant that will support the establishment of the facility.
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She said the project reflected the shared commitment of Nigeria and Japan to unlocking the potential of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem and its youthful population.
According to the First Lady, the hub will serve as a national centre for incubation, hardware prototyping, research and international business collaboration, providing young innovators with the resources to transform their ideas into market-ready products.
“To our young innovators, this Startup Hub is yours. You can arrive here with a sketch and leave with a working prototype that takes you into the global market space,” she said.
Mrs Tinubu urged the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to ensure that the facility, upon completion, would be accessible and inclusive, serving young people from every part of the country.
She described the initiative as consistent with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises youth empowerment through entrepreneurship, skills development and sustainable job creation.
Opportunities for Nigerians
In his opening remarks, the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said the project represented an investment not only in infrastructure but also in new enterprises, partnerships and opportunities for young Nigerians.
“Today we are laying the foundation, not just for a new innovation hub, but new enterprises, new opportunities, new partnerships, and a future where our youth ideas can be turned and used to solve our national problems and global challenges.
“We are investing in our people, the ingenuity of our people, particularly our young people whose creativity, resilience and entrepreneurial ambition are our greatest asset as a nation,” the NITDA boss said.
He noted that the agency was implementing initiatives to nurture entrepreneurship and expand access to digital innovation opportunities across the country.
Abdullahi disclosed that more than 995 startups had received support through NITDA’s broader initiatives, while approximately 7,596 jobs had been created over three years.
He stated that more than 300 companies had been trained through the Digital Export Acceleration Programme, while 1,752 women had benefited from the We-Elevate initiative.
According to him, 333 startups across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory were trained between 2025 and early 2026, alongside 74 hub managers.
The programme aims to ensure that young entrepreneurs can access innovation support without relocating to major commercial centres such as Lagos or Abuja.
Abdullahi disclosed that the Japanese government, through JICA, had provided $10.4 million to expand the innovation hub.
Seed Funding Facility
He also announced plans for a $50 million seed-funding facility for startups being developed in collaboration with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).
He said the initiatives were designed to support the Nigerian Government’s efforts to diversify the economy, stimulate digital innovation and create employment opportunities for young Nigerians.
In his remarks, Japan’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Hideo Suzuki, described the foundation-laying ceremony as a tangible symbol of the growing partnership between both countries.
He said Japan’s support for Nigeria’s startup ecosystem was built around three key areas: strengthening policies and institutions, supporting the establishment of an investment fund for startups, and financing the construction of the innovation hub.
Suzuki explained that the proposed investment fund would help address the shortage of early-stage financing available to Nigerian entrepreneurs, enabling promising businesses to access capital and scale their operations.
He said Japan was committing approximately $10 million in grant aid to the construction of the hub, which would provide entrepreneurs with advanced facilities and digital fabrication equipment.
“The start-up hub will serve as a sanctuary for innovation, a dynamic space equipped with digital fabrication tools and collaborative areas where entrepreneurs can turn their dreams into reality, connect with global partners and drive Nigeria’s economic diversification. This hub is the cornerstone of our support, providing the community space that brings all other elements of our cooperation to life.”
The Ambassador noted that Japan’s support was particularly focused on early-stage businesses developing solutions to social challenges in sectors such as healthcare, education and agriculture, where access to venture capital remains limited.
Suzuki also described the project as part of Japan’s broader development cooperation strategy and its ambition to strengthen economic ties with Africa through innovation, industrial growth and human capital development.
Also speaking, JICA representative to Nigeria, Keiji Ishigame, described the Abuja Startup Hub as an important milestone in the country’s innovation ecosystem.
He said the facility would provide a supportive environment for Nigeria’s talented young population to transform creative ideas into scalable and sustainable enterprises.
Ishigame stated that the hub would promote manufacturing-oriented startups through digital fabrication facilities and encourage collaboration among government, academia, industry and entrepreneurs.
Innovative Solutions
He expressed confidence that the initiative would generate innovative solutions to social challenges while advancing industrial diversification and strengthening Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global economy.
The JICA representative also commended the First Lady for her presence and support, noting that her participation underscored the national importance of youth empowerment and digital inclusion.
The project is expected to complement other Nigeria-Japan cooperation initiatives by providing infrastructure, mentorship and opportunities for startups to access international partnerships, develop innovative products and contribute to economic growth.
