By Emmanuel Elebeke – Abuja

Determined to accelerate inclusive and sustainable innovation at scale, World’s leading network company yesterday opened its outlet in Abuja.

This is even as the company announced its rebranding and transition from ImpactCentral Social Innovation Hub to Impact Hub Abuja.

Impact Central Innovation Hub is focused on building entrepreneurial communities for Impact at Scale and has evolved as a leading social innovation community supporting and empowering social entrepreneurs, leaders, changemakers and emerging leaders to cocreate sustainable solutions to solving big and small societal challenges.

‘‘We look out for fearless individuals and institutions who are happy to fail forward and embrace unpopular ideas, experiment and innovate as well as take collective action approach to find new solutions and creative inclusive and sustainable innovation at scale. For us, our community reflects the interest of partners and friends of Nigeria, encompassing the intentional individuals and institutions working to deliver social, economic and political development in Nigeria. We seek to mobilizeall categories of people and institutions who are passionate and hopeful about Nigeria’s future and willing to commit resources to bring hope for our development challenges.’’

Impact Hub is interested in recruiting students and young professionals; it recognizes the unique energy, creativity and passion of young people to lead bold change in our communities. Its community features champions of the United Nations sustainable development goals, It is a pre requisite for membership that members recognise a way where their work supports the achievement of the SGDs.

Speaking on the new developments, Co-Founder and Chief Executive, Impact Hub Abuja, Olalekan Oshunkoya said the goal of Impact Hub to open its Abuja office was based on bringing exciting opportunities to its local community of impact founders, entrepreneurs and leaders and changemakers to accelerate their impact by accessing global resources, connections and community to expand their enterprise and deliver sustainable innovation at scale.

With the opening of the Impact Hub family at Abuja location, the organization is bringing a global network of over 110+ hub communities, 300,000+members in 67+ countries in 5 regions and 1,200+impact makers.

The initiative envisions a locally rooted and globally connected community of, and for bold, ambitious thinkers who are committed and fierce to use the incredible power of entrepreneurship for social good and contribute to a better world and a better self through bold and transformative innovation at scale.

‘‘We are excited to announce our transition into the global Impact Hub network bringing exciting opportunities to our local community of impact founders, entrepreneurs and leaders and changemakers to accelerate their impact by accessing global resources, connections and community to expand their enterprise and deliver sustainable innovation at scale. ‘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.’’

”We are more than just a space, Impact Hub is community and a place for entrepreneurs, leaders and changemakersto collaborate, connect, create, challenge the status quo.’’
According to Oshunkoya, the name change is not just a rebranding exercise, it is a move deeply rooted in mission alignment built on collective understanding and a believe that they can transform the society and world, when we collectively harness the power of impact entrepreneurship, uncommon collaboration and connections for social good.

‘‘We are expanding significantly our commitment and capacity to nurture a local community (with global appeal) of changemakers, leaders, and social innovators leveraging the power of entrepreneurship to tackle small and big social challenges,’’ he added.

”Impact Hub is interested in recruiting students and young professionals; it recognizes the unique energy, creativity and passion of young people to lead bold change in our communities. We welcome young people who recognizethat despite the current dark shadows, Nigeria’s greatness can be achieved and see a role for themselves in that process as leaders, innovators, creators, and active citizens.

‘’The community features champions of the United Nations sustainable development goals, it is important for us that all members subscribe to the process or achieving the SDGS through their work. It is a pre requisite for membership that members recognise a way where their work supports the achievement of the SGDs.’’

On why the name change, he explained that the significant progress made by the organization last year with the new strategic focus necessitated the name change to ImpactCentra Social Innovation Hub with the slogan #StartGreatThingsHere because our goal was adapted to support anyone who is looking to use the power of community, technology and collaboration to advance social good.

He said that the rebranding was aimed at repositioning the organization to be Nigeria foremost dedicated social innovation community Hub as a 1100sqm community space equipped with a Coworking, private offices, enterprise support, medial lab, SDG Lounge, Community Event Space, On Site Mentorship and Incubation to support young Nigerians to be empowered and resourced to build social action ideas that amplifies those voices as leaders and responsible citizens.

The hub also supports active enterprise development for young people through enhanced technology pathways and incubation services.
‘‘Our commitment to nurturing talent, promoting collaboration, and fostering innovation laid a solid foundation for this next chapter. As part of our effort for global relevance and to increase our ecosystem. Our hub has been a catalyst for numerous successful initiatives, providing a collaborative workspace, resources, and support to drive social impact and sustainable development. We also joined the AfriLabs Africa’s community for innovation hubs and continued our membership of Open Gov Hub global affiliate programs and other networks.’’