The Nigeria Innovation Cluster Exchange (NICE) has initiated applications for its Pipeline Clinics, a sector-focused program designed to help Nigerian businesses and innovators overcome growth constraints. This program targets businesses within six priority clusters identified through NICE's research: agro-processing in Kano, manufacturing in Abia and Ogun, health in Oyo, minerals in Akwa Ibom, and cybersecurity in Abuja. The initiative aims to provide practical support to businesses, focusing on innovation management, access to facilities and partners, prototyping, partnerships, and peer learning.
The Pipeline Clinics are implemented by The Nest Innovation Technology Park in partnership with the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub under the UK Government's Digital Access Programme. The Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI) is also collaborating on the initiative. By combining knowledge sharing with government resources and institutional partnerships, the program seeks to strengthen Nigeria's innovation ecosystem. Experts-in-Residence from the United Kingdom will provide expertise in areas such as innovation strategy, incubation models, and technology validation.
Nigerian ecosystem leaders are expected to participate in reciprocal learning with UK innovation clusters. This exchange aims to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing between Nigeria and the UK. Oluwajoba Oloba, Co-founder of The Nest Innovation Technology Park, stated that the program would strengthen Nigeria's innovation ecosystem. The clinics are open to Nigerian-owned or Nigeria-based businesses and enterprises with an existing business, startup, prototype, product, service, or clearly defined business model.
To be eligible, applicants must operate within, support, or demonstrate strong relevance to one of the six priority clusters. They must also have a clearly defined business challenge, growth opportunity, or development need that can be addressed through the program. Priority may be given to businesses with growth potential, innovative products or services, market traction, expansion opportunities, investment readiness, and job-creation potential.
Participants are expected to commit the required time, provide relevant business information for assessment, and apply the recommendations arising from the clinics. The program will be followed by collaborative innovation sprints, during which participating clusters will work with Nigerian and UK partners to develop and validate solutions to identified challenges. This process is expected to produce collaborative prototypes or proof-of-concept projects.
The initiative aims to address a persistent weakness in Nigeria's innovation ecosystem, where startups, research institutions, entrepreneurship-support organizations, and innovation hubs often operate independently. This limits collaboration and the sharing of knowledge and infrastructure. By fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing, the program seeks to strengthen links among businesses, investors, research institutions, and innovation-support organizations.
Interested businesses can apply via https://forms.gle/9Hhm6b1zXFh1phzr7. The program is expected to have a positive impact on Nigeria's innovation ecosystem by providing practical support to businesses and innovators.
Key points
- The program targets businesses within six priority clusters: agro-processing, manufacturing, health, minerals, and cybersecurity.
- Experts-in-Residence from the UK will provide expertise in innovation strategy, incubation models, and technology validation.
- The program includes collaborative innovation sprints to develop and validate solutions to identified challenges.
