Moniepoint Inc. has announced a N3 billion investment to establish innovation hubs in three federal universities as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s technology talent pipeline.
The initiative will see the creation of Moniepoint Innovation Hubs at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) over the next three years.
The company said the selected institutions were chosen to ensure a broader geographic spread of tech opportunities across Nigeria’s regions, rather than concentrating innovation resources in major cities alone.
According to Moniepoint, each innovation hub will serve as a dedicated training centre for students across all faculties, offering practical learning in software engineering, artificial intelligence, data science, robotics, product development, design, and entrepreneurship.
The programme will run through structured cohorts combining mentorship, hands-on training, and real-world project execution to improve students’ job readiness and industry exposure.
Speaking at the launch held at OAU, Ile-Ife, Tosin Eniolorunda, Moniepoint Group Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, said the initiative is aimed at building a sustainable pipeline of skilled technology talent in Nigeria.
“When you look at the success of companies like Moniepoint, it’s easy to forget that it all started with the foundational training we received right here in Nigerian universities,” he said.
“Nigeria’s digital economy cannot run on potential alone; it requires immense, localised talent density,” he added.
Eniolorunda also noted that the programme will expand to more tertiary institutions in the future.
Vice-Chancellor of OAU, Professor Adebayo Bamire, described the initiative as a major boost for higher education and innovation in Nigeria.
“The Moniepoint Innovation Hub will not only expand what our students can learn but also transform what they believe is possible,” he said.
Representatives from UNN and ABU also attended the launch ceremony, alongside industry stakeholders and members of the tech ecosystem.
Beyond funding physical hubs, Moniepoint said it will also provide curriculum support, mentorship, internship pathways, and expert-led sessions through its engineering and product teams.
Students will also gain access to live projects and exposure to Moniepoint’s network of engineers, investors, and industry professionals.
The company said the initiative builds on earlier education-focused interventions, including a CAD/CAM laboratory at OAU valued at over N100 million and developer training programmes such as HatchDev, which supports hundreds of young developers annually.
Moniepoint said the goal is to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry-ready skills, while expanding access to tech opportunities beyond Nigeria’s major urban centres.
