77 New Techpreneurs Venture into Lagos’ Competitive Ecosystem

No fewer than 77 new techpreneurs have ventured into Lagos competitive ecosystem having benefited from the Lagos Innovates Programme.

“Let’s face it, it is easy for anyone to take an online course, but only a few of these courses prepare you for real-life work as a data analyst. Sadly, most unemployed graduates cannot afford the ones that do,” one of the programme’s beneficiaries, Cynthia Ani, said.

“That is why I am glad to be a beneficiary of the Lagos Innovates Programme. What is most exciting is that I have real-time support; I can always reach out to my colleagues or facilitators and get answers to my questions and concerns,” she added.

Ani is one of 77 beneficiaries trained as part of the 2022/2023 session of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund’s Lagos Innovates programme.

In June 2022, she joined 1,000 young Nigerians who applied for the Lagos Innovates programme—a training project conceived to ease the process of building successful tech start-ups in Nigeria’s commercial capital. By September, after a rigorous selection process, 77 selected beneficiaries gained access to learn data analytics from Dataleum, winners of Art of Technology StartUp of the Year Award, 2022.

Another participant, Afolake Oshadogan, a graduate of Statistics, had always been interested in data analytics and began the training in September 2022. 

“Tech, particularly data analytics, has always piqued my interest because of my background. Every time I wanted to pursue it, I had to prioritise the needs of my family. When I lost my job during the pandemic, things became even harder, paying the fees to learn the skill was out of the question for me, so when this opportunity came, I couldn’t pass it off. I am optimistic about the future and feel like I am rediscovering myself!” she stated.

Each student has a unique story of their journey before the programme, and what compels them to push on. But a common thread is how this training will support their dreams for the future. Whether it is as altruistic as teaching community classes in impoverished areas or seemingly self-serving as earning a bigger salary by the end of the programme, these beneficiaries have taken their first steps towards a future in tech in Africa’s most populous nation, and that is no small feat.

Through the programme, conceived to ease the process of building successful tech start-ups in Nigeria’s commercial capital, Honeywell Group has continued to provide useful tools for young tech-preneurs to gain the applicable skills required to compete in the current global marketplace. 

“The talent development programme was transformational. It felt like I was undergoing a make over from who I was to a capable professional. From soft skills trainings to intense hands-on practice, I am convinced that the only way from here is up,” Favour, another beneficiary of the programme said. 

Honeywell Group’s contribution to providing funding for entrepreneurs with the potential to drive growth across the African continent by funding disruptive businesses and startups has been consistent since 2018.

The conglomerate also funds Itanna, a supporting institute for mentoring and funding innovative and entrepreneurial talents in the tech startup ecosystem. One of the institute’s most significant support channels is the Accelerator Programme, a four-month impact initiative where graduates receive up to $30,000 or its Naira equivalent as investment from Honeywell Group, mentorship from industry leaders and more. Like Lagos Innovates, the impact of the support programmes in Itanna has been immense.

As the Lagos Innovates Programme graduates its first cohort of 77 beneficiaries, the commitment of government agencies like the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund and corporate organizations like the Honeywell Group to supporting the tech startup ecosystem in Africa’s largest economy, and the impact recorded thus far, is an indication that bigger achievements can be recorded on the continent if more public and private organizations will put their money where their mouth is.