ISN chairman seeks to drive investment in Nigeria’s entrepreneurship landscape

Hanson Johnson, the newly elected board chairman of the Innovation Support Network (ISN) hub, has committed to driving meaningful investment into the country’s startup ecosystem to boost the sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s gross domestic product.

Johnson, who is also the founder and chief executive of Start Innovation Hub, stressed the critical necessity for “clear, well-structured pathways that connect startups with capital, markets, and strategic opportunities.”

He emphasised that ISN’s wide network enables the selection of entrepreneurs who are prepared for investment and global competition.

He posited that the new Board plans to deepen cohesion within Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem by amplifying ISN’s unified voice in shaping national policy.

According to Johnson, effective policy advocacy must remain central to the mission, as “enabling regulations and government support are critical for harnessing innovation as a tool for solving national challenges.”

In one of his first official acts as Chairman, Johnson issued an open call for partnerships to a wide spectrum of stakeholders.

He extended an invitation to development partners to collaborate on large-scale initiatives that build capacity across Nigeria’s diverse regions. He also urged government agencies to work closely with ISN on policies that accelerate startup growth and unlock innovation-driven solutions for national problems.

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For the private sector, investors and venture capitalists were encouraged to access ISN’s network of investment-ready startups, while corporates were invited to tap into the creative potential within hubs to support their own digital transformation goals.

He reaffirmed his commitment to collaboration, noting that building a stronger national innovation ecosystem will require the collective effort of all stakeholders. He expressed readiness to engage immediately, asserting that his “channels are open for partnerships that will help drive impact at scale.

Johnson’s appointment, announced earlier this week, is being hailed by the nation’s innovation community as a strategic step poised to profoundly strengthen and unify the national startup landscape.

He is a respected veteran in the tech space, describing his election as both “an honour and a responsibility,” while thanking the members of the ISN family for their confidence.

He restated his commitment to the network’s vision: establishing ISN Hubs as leaders for innovative startups in Nigeria.

The organisation now boasts a substantial national footprint, representing more than 230 innovation hubs spread across 32 states, making it one of the most influential bodies shaping Nigeria’s technology-driven economic transformation.

Under his decisive leadership, ISN will pivot its focus towards significantly increasing the capacity and standards of innovation hubs nationwide. This includes ensuring they operate with higher efficiency, stronger standards, and more impactful programs.

“We must create an environment where hubs can consistently deliver quality training, mentorship, and support that enable startups to scale sustainably,” Johnson stated, highlighting his commitment to quality over quantity in incubation efforts.

Josephine Okojie-Okeiyi is a journalist with over five years’ reporting experience. She writes on industry, agriculture, commodities, climate change, and environmental issues. She is fellow of Thomson Reuters Foundation and Bloomberg Media Initiative for Africa.

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