If you’re working in innovation, you are sure to have heard the buzzwords: inclusion, upskilling, digital transformation. But how often do those words translate into real, measurable impact?
This is the question Nebiant Analytics set out to answer; and if you have been paying attention to the growth of Innovation Hubs across the country, you will want to keep your eye on this one.
Nebiant Analytics is a digital skills and innovation Hub based in Lagos that do not just offer generic courses or repackage tech trends. Their mission is straightforward and ambitious: make data literacy and analytics careers accessible to everyone regardless of where they come from, what they studied or their professional level.
So, what does that look like in practice?
At Nebiant Analytics, it is virtual, modular training in data analytics, data science, and business analysis for graduates, early professionals, and career switchers with pan-African internship pipelines and mentorship programs that actively support women, refugees, and people with disabilities.
One of their flagship initiatives, Empowering Women in Tech (EWT), has made serious waves. It is a community driven program focused on helping women break into and grow within the tech industry, offering a blend of real-world tools (Power BI, Excel, Python), mentorship, and project experience. And the results? Participants who came in with little or no tech background are now confidently presenting dashboards, running SQL queries, and getting hired.
If you are an investor or policymaker reading this, you might be wondering: how scalable is this model?
The answer: Very. In just a few years, Nebiant Analytics has trained over 4,000 professionals, participated in high-impact programs like the NSIA Prize for Innovation 3.0, and built a collaborative network with other innovation Hubs and startups. They are actively contributing to a growing pipeline of digitally skilled talent and not just for big tech, but for SMEs, nonprofits, and governments who need people who understand data and can use it for decision making.
Of course, the road has not been smooth. Like many Nigerian Hubs, Nebiant Analytics faces challenges around sustainable funding, digital infrastructure, and bridging the gap between training and job placement. But what sets them apart is their willingness to collaborate. They are open to co-creating with partners, running joint innovation programs, and supporting regional scale-up efforts.
So how can government and the ecosystem support?
Here are a few ideas:
- Support grant schemes that invest in digital capacity building at the grassroots level.
- Ensure affordable access to digital infrastructure from internet access to cloud computing credits.
- Back inclusive public-private partnerships that put Hubs like Nebiant Analytics at the center of workforce development strategies.
- Embed data literacy programs into national development agendas, not just as a buzzword, but as a foundational skill.
Through platforms like ISN Hubs, Nebiant Analytics has been able to amplify its work, connect with other actors in the space, and participate in national conversations around innovation. This is a reminder that ecosystem building is a team sport, and collective progress relies on collaboration through shared infrastructure, shared resources, and shared ambition.
In a world that increasingly runs on data, supporting organisations like Nebiant Analytics is not just good CSR; It is smart, long-term thinking. Because when you invest in people who understand how to use data, you really are investing in better businesses, better decisions, and better futures.
