Moniepoint commits N3bn to new innovation hubs in OAU, UNN, ABU

Nigerian fintech company Moniepoint has announced a N3 billion investment to establish innovation hubs across three federal universities over the next three years as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s tech talent pipeline.

The company disclosed that the innovation hubs will be located at Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and Ahmadu Bello University.

According to Moniepoint, the universities were selected to ensure technology and innovation opportunities are spread across different regions of the country rather than concentrated in major tech cities like Lagos and Abuja.

The initiative was officially unveiled on Monday at the OAU campus in Ile-Ife during an event attended by university administrators, industry stakeholders, students, alumni and members of Nigeria’s tech ecosystem.

Moniepoint said each innovation hub will serve as a permanent training centre where students from different faculties can access practical programmes in software engineering, artificial intelligence, robotics, data science, product development, entrepreneurship and design.

The fintech company added that the hubs would run structured cohort-based programmes combining mentorship, practical learning and real-world project execution to improve students’ career readiness.

Moniepoint says the initiative is to develop talent

Speaking during the launch, Moniepoint co-founder and Group CEO Tosin Eniolorunda said the initiative was designed to build a sustainable pipeline of industry-ready technology talent within Nigeria.

According to him, Nigeria’s digital economy requires strong local talent development to sustain growth in the tech sector.

The Vice Chancellor of OAU, Adebayo Simeon Bamire, described the partnership as a major boost for innovation and higher education, noting that the hub would expand opportunities available to students.

Beyond funding the physical facilities, Moniepoint said students participating in the programme would gain access to mentorship, internship pathways, expert-led learning sessions and live projects through the company’s engineering and business teams.

The company noted that the initiative builds on previous investments made through the Tosin Eniolorunda STEM Foundation, including the establishment of a CAD/CAM laboratory valued at over N100 million at OAU’s Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Moniepoint also referenced the HatchDev programme at the University of Lagos, led by co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Felix Ike in partnership with NiITHub innovation centre, which trains about 500 developers annually.

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