Nigeria’s Top Startup Hubs for Entrepreneurs

Across Nigeria, new businesses are finding their footing in cities that offer more than just office space, they provide the talent, funding and community every founder needs. 

The right location can open doors to mentors, investors and like‑minded peers, speeding up your path from idea to market. 

In the sections below, we’ll introduce you to the seven cities leading the charge, each one packed with coworking hubs, networking events, and support programs tailor-made for entrepreneurs ready to scale.

1. Lagos 

Lagos is Nigeria’s biggest city, home to over 20 million people. That means a large market ready for new apps, online shops and fintech services. The city sits on the coast, making it easy to move goods by road and by sea.

There are many shared offices and innovation centres,like CcHUB, Leadspace and Impact Hub,where people meet every week for hackathons, pitch nights and one‑on‑one coaching. These spaces help founders, developers, and investors connect and work together. 

Big events such as Techpoint Build and Lagos Startup Week bring hundreds of local and international guests, creating chances for deals and partnerships.

On the funding side, startup investors and angel groups are active. Early‑stage startups can find seed funding of around $50,000, while more mature businesses can raise Series A rounds above $2 million. This wide range of capital options helps new businesses grow faster and shows overseas investors that Nigeria is a place worth backing.

2. Abuja 

As the country’s capital, Abuja sits close to government ministries and agencies. This proximity makes it faster and easier to register your company, get necessary permits and follow rules. 

Recent changes under the Nigeria Startup Act 2022, along with special funds like the ₦1 billion Flourish Africa grant and the Brave Women programme, bring direct support to local entrepreneurs.

Abuja also hosts government‑run innovation centres, such as Technology and Innovation Support Centres (TISCs) and programs by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). 

These hubs offer free or low‑cost training on topics like protecting your ideas, using digital tools and writing business plans. They also organise events where civil servants, corporate partners and business owners can meet and work together.

Even though Abuja’s consumer market is smaller than Lagos’s, its strong ties to policy makers and international groups make it ideal for startups in agriculture technology, health technology and civic tech. 

In these areas, support from regulators and public institutions can speed up growth and open doors that might be harder to find elsewhere.

3. Port Harcourt 

Port Harcourt has long been known for oil and gas, but it is now building a tech and service scene. Nearby universities graduate many engineers and IT experts each year, giving new businesses a steady flow of skilled workers.

Innovation centres like the Ken Saro‑Wiwa Innovation Hub and StartupSouth offer co‑working desks, incubation programs and networking events. These centres team up with state agencies, such as the Rivers State Investment Management Authority (RIMA) and the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce (PHCCIMA), to provide grants, workshops, and help with exporting products.

Because many large companies operate here, local startups can test business‑to‑business solutions in energy or logistics before they expand. As the state government pushes for new industries, tech ventures that create jobs and add value often qualify for special grants and tax breaks.

4. Ibadan 

Ibadan, in Oyo State, is famous for its universities and research centres. The cost of living is lower than in Lagos or Abuja, making staff hiring easier. On‑campus incubators at the University of Ibadan and The Polytechnic offer mentorship and funding competitions. 

Local co‑working spaces like Strand and Innovation Village host informal pitch nights and skill‑share meetups. Ibadan works well for edtech, agri‑research or small‑scale manufacturing ventures.

5. Enugu 

Once known for coal mining, Enugu is now growing its tech scene. The Enugu Tech Hub and Salamander Incubator provide training in web development, mobile apps and digital marketing. 

The state government runs “innovation challenges” with cash prizes to spur new ideas. Office rents remain affordable, so small teams can launch without large overhead. Digital agencies, creative studios and light‑manufacturing startups find Enugu a friendly place to grow.

6. Kano 

Kano has long been a trading crossroads of northern Nigeria. Its markets, Kurmi and Kantin Kwari, serve millions of regional shoppers. Co‑working spaces like Pivot365 and Startup Grind Kano connect tech founders with local merchants. 

Government skills programmes cover tailoring, food processing and solar energy. E‑commerce, logistics and agro‑processing businesses can tap Kano’s established trade routes to reach customers across West Africa.

7. Calabar 

Calabar’s port and international airport link Nigeria to Cameroon and beyond. Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort provides office space, retail outlets and event venues under one roof. The Cross River State government offers grants and training in tourism, hospitality and crafts. 

The annual Calabar Carnival and Calabar Business Summit attract international visitors and investors. If your venture focuses on travel tech, regional trade or hospitality services, Calabar opens doors to both local and cross‑border markets.