Nigeria’s technology ecosystem continues to flourish, and new data shows that several universities across the country are playing a pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of tech entrepreneurs driving innovation, startups, and digital transformation.
According to a recent survey by the Nigerian Innovation Index (NII), institutions such as the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Covenant University, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) are leading the pack in producing graduates who have founded or co-founded successful tech-driven ventures.
The report highlights that these universities have developed strong innovation cultures through their engineering, computer science, and business programs — often complemented by tech hubs, incubation centers, and partnerships with private sector investors.
Covenant University stood out for its structured entrepreneurship curriculum and alumni network, which has produced several notable founders in fintech, edtech, and agritech. UNILAG was credited for its close proximity to Lagos’ Yaba tech cluster, often dubbed “Nigeria’s Silicon Valley,” which provides students direct exposure to the startup ecosystem.
At FUTA, the focus on applied technology and research-based innovation has led to the creation of numerous early-stage startups tackling issues such as renewable energy, software development, and data analytics. Meanwhile, OAU and UNN were praised for blending academic rigor with student-led innovation hubs that have birthed promising ventures in AI, logistics, and health tech.
Speaking on the findings, Dr. Amina Yusuf, a technology policy expert, said:
“The universities that are producing tech founders today are those that have integrated digital literacy, innovation labs, and startup mentorship into their core learning experience.”
The study also noted the growing contributions of Babcock University, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU Zaria), and Lagos State University (LASU), which are rapidly catching up through collaborations with accelerators like Google for Startups, Co-Creation Hub (CcHub), and Tech4Dev.
Industry watchers believe that strengthening university–industry partnerships could further position Nigerian institutions as Africa’s leading innovation engines, capable of producing global tech leaders similar to those emerging from Silicon Valley or Nairobi’s “Silicon Savannah.”
With youth unemployment still high, experts say that empowering university students to build tech solutions will not only drive job creation but also accelerate Nigeria’s digital economy and global competitiveness.