Founder Institute Lagos Founder Institute Lagos Founder Institute Lagos
  • Home
  • About
  • Partners
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Signup to receive updates
Innovation | Startups | Funding | Tech Blog in Africa
Advertisement
  • Home
  • Startups
  • Hubs
  • Funding
  • WomenTech
  • CleanTech
  • Blockchain
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Startups
  • Hubs
  • Funding
  • WomenTech
  • CleanTech
  • Blockchain
No Result
View All Result
Innovation | Startups | Funding | Tech Blog in Africa
No Result
View All Result
Home Hubs

Bayelsa Tech Hub is positioned for the Advancement of Technology and Enterprise Development

by TechBuild.Africa
2021/05/28 - Updated on 2021/05/31
in Hubs
Bayelsa Tech Hub - Techbuild
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Tweet
Share
Share

In this week’s edition of ISN hubs featuring innovation hubs, we visited South-south Nigeria, where we met Asieri Odusi, the Manager of Bayelsa Tech Hub located in Yenagoa.

Asieri explained how the Yenagoa based tech hub is leading the innovation space in the southern part of Nigeria.

Established in November 2019 as a CSR project of the Bank of Industry, the innovative tech hub exists as the go-to establishment for tech innovations to support young people and SMEs in Bayelsa State, while leveraging technology to grow sustainable businesses and career paths.

image3 scaled
Asieri odusi, ceo, of bayelsa tech hub

Through its programs and Initiatives, the Hub exists to support the growth of young people, indigenous start-ups, up and coming tech entrepreneurs, SMEs, local tech communities and other stakeholders.

RelatedPosts

Wootlab is Building the Digital Capacity of African Youth

Simply Exponential launches HERMONEYCLINIC to enhance Financial Access for Female Entrepreneurs

Vatebra Tech Hub is Inspiring Innovation for Nation Building

AfriLabs Academy launches to support Africa’s Innovation Ecosystem

The Bayelsa Tech Hub is positioned for the future to be a recognized centre for the advancement of Technology and enterprise development.

For this purpose, the Facility houses a laboratory for Robotics, Drone technology, Artificial intelligence, IOT and Machine learning.

IMG 8880 scaled

It also provides Co-work Spaces, Incubation, as well as, technology and enterprise training.

This is to enhance our mission towards building a better community where tomorrow’s leaders can start using technology to develop local solutions with real-time application to addressing today’s key challenges.

Innovation and entrepreneurship

Asieri explained that the establishment of tech hubs plays a pivotal role in spurring technology and enterprise development, as the various hub programs and services are tailored at supporting various target groups.

“For instance, the provision of in-demand tech training help to equip young people with skills to start a Tech Career and become self-reliance.

The provision of co-work spaces fosters the establishment of techpreneurs and start-ups, and the incubation programs are leverages to birth new ideas and help businesses scale.”

On the state of innovation and entrepreneurship in Bayelsa, Asieri explained that the tech and enterprise ecosystem in the South-south state is gradually taking shape as lots of individuals are starting to birth new initiatives and businesses, and seeking ways to harness the power of technology to drive the business process.

IMG 20200814 WA0009

According to him, this narrative wasn’t the same as of some 3 years back.

Improving the state of Nigeria’s technology, innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems, Asieri recommended that Human Capital Development is a key pillar for improving the ecosystem.

“There has to be deliberate support across all boards. Government, Non profits, Private Organizations and other stakeholders need to support initiatives that builds talents who in-turn contributes meaningfully to improving the quality of the Ecosystem. The CBN’s Creative Industry Financing Initiative is one of such that needs to be increased.”

Challenges and milestone

Asieri mentioned that his present role as Bayelsa Tech Hub Manager is in itself a challenging task.

On resumption as a task manager he was saddled with achieving some KPIs which appeared a daunting task to him at that point, however, he took up the challenge.

Upon completion of his implementation plan, COVID -19 happened.

“We had little financial resources to drive our programs, activities and operations, and it appeared it was going to be the end of our existence.

IMG 8812 scaled

What I did to salvage the situation was to leverage my existing brand and marketing skills to attract social capital, and this greatly helped to put our operations and my KPIs back on track.

What I learnt from this experience and apply to date, is that with or without financial resources, you can hit great milestones.”

In this, the South-south tech hub has succeeded in creating the hub’s annual strategy plan, organizing tech and enterprise meetups, events and hackathons.

This according to the manager has attracted credible partners to the hub in Organizing and sponsoring programs.

This has also helped in creating a network of mentors to support businesses within the hub and also creating a network of investors, venture capitalists and sponsors to invest in start-ups in the hub’s incubation program.

IMG 8871 scaled

According to the manager, the hub has reached over 5000 young people and SMEs through various training, intervention programs and events.

“So far, over 500 young people have been equipped with in demand tech skills, over 200 SMEs have gotten training support to improve their businesses and over 4000 people have been introduced to the opportunities in technology via social media engagements.”

In all these, Asieri didn’t hold back his excitement as he shares the hub’s in-house training programs.

“Coming from a narrative where young people are known for militancy, our in-house training program is breeding the next generation of tech Champions.”

The manager said that the Bayelsa tech hub so far has introduced over 500 young people in graphic design, cybersecurity, digital marketing, computer basics, computer programming, embedded systems/robotics and other in-demand tech skills.

Hot Desk scaled

On supporting women’s participation in tech, Bayelsa tech hub training as so far targeted young people while equipping them with the necessary skill-set to birth innovative solutions and tech startups.

“So far we have introduced over 500 youth to Tech. We also recently launched the Astute Women Community; a community of Women”

Government and ISN’s role

On the role of the government in assisting hubs, Asieri commented that they can assist through inclusive policy statements that empower hubs to be implementing partners for government innovations and technology training.

IMG 8847 scaled

Another way according to him is supporting Hubs initiatives that aim to birth more startups and improve digital literacy.

On the part of ISN, the manager mentioned that through ISN’s email newsletter, the Bayelsa tech hub has been kept informed about the happenings in the tech ecosystem globally.

“This has enabled us to share opportunities to the community we serve and also participate ourselves.”


Don’t miss important articles during the week. Subscribe to techbuild.africa weekly digest for updates.

Join @techbuildafrica on Telegram
Tweet
Share
Share
ShareTweetShareSendShare

Subscribe us

Recent Posts

  • International Youth Day 2022: The Role of the Youth in Driving Financial Inclusion in Africa
  • A Student? These tips will take You from Matric to Earning in Your First Professional Role
  • Quit Charging your Phones Overnight
  • Why Microsoft Office 365 Users need a Third-party Backup
  • 4 Ways Young Nigerians can boost their Digital Skills for Free
  • Application opens for Women’s World Banking Fintech Innovation Challenge
  • SFS Capital announces SFS Fund Mobile App to drive Mutual Fund investment
  • Samsung Galaxy Foldables: Flip4 and Fold4 hit Nigerian Market
  • Cybersecurity Assessment of top 50 Finance-based Android Apps indicates Critical Risk to Businesses in Nigeria
  • Egyptian Startup BONBELL seeks $10M in Seed Funding after Closing $350k Initial Round
Innovation | Startups | Funding | Tech Blog in Africa

© 2013-2021 techbuild.africa. All Rights Reserved.

Navigate Site

  • About
  • Contact
  • WE-Forum
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
  • Terms
  • Blockchain
  • CleanTech

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Startups
  • Hubs
  • Funding
  • WomenTech
  • CleanTech
  • Blockchain

© 2013-2021 techbuild.africa. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In