Impact Hub, a non-profit organisation, has urged entrepreneurs to be innovative to support Nigeria in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030.
The Co-Founder and Chief Executive of Impact Hub, Mr. Olalekan Oshunkoya, made this call on Friday during a media conference to announce the rebranding of its former Impact Central Social Innovation Hub to Impact Hub Global in Abuja.
Impact Hub is a global network of locally founded and operated impact innovation incubators, accelerators, co-working spaces, and nonprofit organizations, with its parent company in Austria.
Oshunkoya highlighted that SDGs one, five, eight, nine, sixteen, and seventeen point towards the future of work and the promotion of entrepreneurship for job creation, which the hub is committed to.
“We understand Nigeria’s unique, complex development challenges and our goal is to build a community that brings together several actors, individuals who are committed to exploring and activating innovative ideas.
“Such ideas should be able to deliver short, medium and long-term system change targeted at removing inequality, alleviating poverty, expanding economic opportunities, creating political opportunities, tackling corruption, and providing transformational leadership,” he said.
He emphasized that the rebranding to Impact Hub Global aims to build a community of entrepreneurs that can connect to a wider global network to develop ideas.
“Our community features champions of the UN SDGs, and it is important that all members subscribe to achieving the SDGs through their work. This strategic move marks a significant milestone in our journey, strengthening our commitment as a locally rooted, globally connected community of, and for, impact entrepreneurs, leaders, and changemakers.
“This transition connects Abuja to more than 110 hubs, 300,000 members in more than 67 countries, and 1,200 impact makers, offering local entrepreneurs access to global resources and connections. We envision a locally-rooted and globally-connected community of ambitious thinkers committed to using the power of entrepreneurship for social good and contributing to a better world through transformative innovation at scale,” Oshunkoya stated.
The Chief Executive also mentioned that the goals of Impact Hub include engaging students, tech entrepreneurs, non-profit leaders, Small and Medium Enterprises, and consultants towards tackling the country’s development challenges.
“We are engaging young professionals and students, recognizing their potential to drive significant changes in their communities,” he added.
Oshunkoya emphasized that Impact Hub is committed to being the leading community for social change, fostering innovative solutions and global connections to address pressing societal issues.
Part of the programs and services offered include the Social Impact Academy, Community Impact Accelerator Fellowship, Entrepreneur in Residence, SDGs Action Lab, among others.
