…Newly Elected ISN Board of Directors Set to Drive Innovation and Collaboration
The Innovation Support Network (ISN), a conglomeration of Innovation hubs in Nigeria, has elected new members of its Board of Directors to steer the organization’s mission of promoting technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship across the country.
Taking over from the previous Board who recently stepped down — Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata (CFA), Director of Marketing and Acting Chairman of the Board; Tomi Davies, Founder, TechnoVision; Bernard Chiira, AfriLabs board member; Daniel Chinagozi, Founder, Innovation Growth Hub; Bruce Lucas, Founder, Olutu Square — the change is targeted at fostering unprecedented collaboration and innovation.
Meet the accomplished individuals who will guide ISN into this promising phase:
1. Maryam Lawan Gwadebe – Corporate Director
Maryam Lawan Gwadebe, a passionate and visionary leader, is dedicated to harnessing the power of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to uplift lives and businesses. She is the visionary founder of Blue Sapphire Hub, a platform committed to unlocking human potential and latent abilities. Blue Sapphire Hub offers a diverse range of services, including Capacity Building programs, Startup Support, and a Software Development Lab.
Maryam’s remarkable contributions to the tech industry have earned her prestigious recognition, including the Forbes Africa 30 under 30 Alumni title in 2020 and the Outstanding Woman in Tech award from the United Nations Association of Nigeria Leadership Awards in 2022.
2. Blessing Achu – Finance Director
Blessing Achu, a creative entrepreneur and startup ecosystem builder, is driven by a profound passion for the African fashion industry. Her mission? To empower African creative businesses with cutting-edge tech solutions, from supporting cotton farmers to boosting retail stores.
Blessing’s visionary initiative, 360Creativehub, was established in late 2016 and offers co-working and co-sewing spaces, along with comprehensive training, mentoring, and acceleration programs. She envisions a future where Africa takes center stage in the global fashion market, and her dedication is palpable.
3. Charles Emembolu – Partnership Director
Charles Emembolu is an Information Technology Architecture Expert with a profound interest in innovation ecosystems and empowering young talents through Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Charles possesses an impressive array of specialties, including IT infrastructure, project/program management, negotiations, and business and solutions architecture. Currently serving as the Director of Partnerships at ISN Hubs, Charles actively contributes to ISN’s mission of fostering innovation and youth empowerment.
4. Edward Esene – Marketing Director
Edward Esene, a renowned Business Startup coach, management consultant, digital expert, and Tech Evangelist, has been a driving force in Nigeria’s entrepreneurial landscape. As an alumnus of the School for Startups in the UK and a Google partner on #DigitalSkills4Africa, Edward’s expertise shines.
He has made significant contributions as a consultant on various government initiatives, including the Federal Government You-win Project, Presidency Amnesty program, BOI YES-P & GEF programs, and TEEP & VC4AFRICA Mentor. Additionally, Edward co-founded Plus Innovation Hub, which boasts three centers in Lagos State. His journey also led to his appointment as an IBM Business Partner in Nigeria, where he leads a team of tech consultants.
5. Theodore Longji – Ecosystem Director
Theodore Longji, a visionary leader at the helm of nHub, has been instrumental in championing entrepreneurship, innovation, and ecosystem development over the past decade.
His diverse skill set encompasses ideation, business modeling, product management, startup discovery, market research, ecosystem development, policy design, and project planning. As the Chief Executive Officer of nHub, Theodore has played a key role in inspiring and supporting a generation of tech entrepreneurs across Nigeria.
These newly elected board members bring a wealth of skills, experiences, and passions to the ISN Board of Directors. Together, they are committed to creating a positive impact within the Nigerian innovation ecosystem.
ISN’s journey began with approximately 75 Innovation hubs in 2019, and today it boasts a thriving community of over 150+ hubs. This remarkable growth has been marked by a commitment to capacity building, knowledge sharing, and the nurturing of a vibrant innovation community.
As the outgoing board members step down from the role, ISN eagerly anticipates continued growth and innovation under the visionary leadership of the newly elected Directors. Their proven expertise across diverse domains is set to propel ISN’s legacy of innovation to even greater heights.
The organization remains steadfast in its mission to empower entrepreneurs, drive innovation, and foster solutions that address Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges. This transition heralds a promising future for ISN, promising a brighter, more collaborative, and innovative landscape for Nigeria’s tech ecosystem.
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