By Angela Atabo
An expert on innovation, Mr Daisi Omokungbe, says a coordinated Abuja innovation ecosystem will drive collaboration among startups, government, investors, academia, and partners.
Omokungbe, who is the Founder, StackLabs Innovation, a solutions initiative, says such collaboration will position the Federal Capital Territory as a leading innovation hub to drive digital economic growth.
The expert made this known on Friday during the official inauguration of the Abuja Innovation Ecosystem Connect.
It was organised by StackLabs Innovation under the theme, “Connecting People, Catalysing Innovation, Building Abuja’s Future’’.
He explained that the initiative was conceived following findings that Abuja possessed enormous innovation potential.
He said, however, Abuja lacked a coordinated ecosystem capable of connecting emerging technologies with governance, enterprise and societal development.
According to him, the platform aims to bridge gaps between innovators, policymakers, investors and other stakeholders to accelerate technology-driven economic growth.
He noted that emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), and other technologies needed governance and more ways to develop core skills in making use of the skills.
“That is why we decided to put up something, so that ecosystem coordination will not just be a Lagos affair where emerging enterprise and products are coming up.
“Abuja is also a better place where innovation can thrive, businesses can develop; when we do that, it is not to compete with Lagos, but to open Nigeria up for more investment.
“This means more opportunities for young people; it will enhance the environment to create more jobs, solutions and even help the government to make more taxes, ” he said.
The expert said StackLabs Innovation was starting with Abuja in order to have more resources to even drive development faster.
He added that Abuja’s proximity to regulators, policymakers and development partners provided a strategic advantage that innovators should leverage to influence policy, attract investments and develop scalable technology solutions.
He said the initiative would also support young innovators in building sustainable enterprises capable of creating jobs, expanding Nigeria’s digital economy and increasing government revenue through improved business activities.
He said also, it would serve as a monthly innovation ecosystem platform where founders, investors, researchers, policymakers and development partners would meet regularly to exchange ideas, build partnerships and address challenges,’’ he said.
The founder added that the platform would also focus on innovation and entrepreneurship, AI and data literacy, digital skills development, enterprise growth, research, consultancy and human capital development.
“Collaboration is one of the biggest challenges within Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem. We cannot build a thriving ecosystem, if innovators continue to work in isolation.
“This community will provide the connective infrastructure where ideas, talent, policy, capital and innovation converge to solve real problems,” he said.
The Keynote Speaker, Dr Osasuyi Dirisu, Executive Director of the Policy Innovation Centre (PIC), said collaboration served as the foundation of successful innovation ecosystems.
Dirisu, represented by PIC’s Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Dr Aderonke Komolafe, said innovation ecosystems flourished, not merely because talented people existed, but that stakeholders shared problems, opportunities, infrastructure and resources.
“Abuja is not lacking in talent. It has innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers and one of the country’s strongest regulatory infrastructures.
“What is required is collaboration that brings together government, innovators, academia, investors and development partners to transform ideas into scalable solutions,” she said.
Dirisu noted that many innovators possessed impactful solutions, but lacked access to policymakers, investors and institutions capable of supporting their growth.
She said platforms such as the Abuja Innovation Ecosystem Connect would bridge that gap by providing opportunities for innovators to showcase their products, attract partnerships and secure funding.
She also encouraged development partners to support credible innovation pipelines that demonstrated accountability, integrity and measurable social impact. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Esenvosa Izah