A non-profit organisation, Impact Hub, has urged entrepreneurs to be innovative to support the country toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals of 2030.

Co-Founder and Chief Executive of the hub, Olalekan Oshunkoya, made the call on Friday at a media conference to announce the rebranding of its former Impact Central Social Innovation Hub to Impact Hub Global in Abuja.

Impact Hub is a global network of locally founded, operated impact innovation incubators, accelerators, co-working spaces and nonprofit organisations with its parent company in Austria.

Mr Oshunkoya said that SDGs one, five, eight, nine,16 and 17, pointed towards the future of work and promotion of entrepreneurship for job creation, which the hub was committed to.

He said, “We understand Nigeria’s unique, complex development challenges and our goal is to build a community that brings together a number of actors, individuals who are committed to exploring and activating innovative ideas. Such ideas should be able to deliver short, medium and long-term system change targeted at removing inequality, alleviating poverty, expanding economic, creating political opportunities, tackling corruption and providing transformational leadership.’’

He said the outfit was building a community of entrepreneurs that could connect to a wider global network of entrepreneurs to develop ideas, hence the rebranding.

“Our community features champions of the UN SDGs and it is important that members subscribe to achieving the SDGs through their works. This strategic move marks a significant milestone in our journey, strengthening our commitment as a locally rooted, globally connected community of, and for, impact entrepreneurs, leaders and change-makers.

“This transition connects Abuja to more than 110 hubs, 300,000 members in more than 67 countries, and 1,200 impact makers, offering local entrepreneurs access to global resources and connections. We envision a locally-rooted and globally-connected community of ambitious thinkers committed to using the power of entrepreneurship for social good and contribute to a better world through transformative innovation at scale,” Mr Oshunkoya said.

The chief executive also said that part of the goals included engaging students, tech entrepreneurs, non-profit leaders, small and medium enterprises and consultants towards tackling the country’s development challenges.

He added that the outfit was engaging young professionals and students, recognising their potential to drive significant changes in their communities.

Mr Oshunkoya emphasised that Impact Hub would be committed to being the leading community for social change, fostering innovative solutions and global connections to address pressing societal issues.

Part of the programmes and services offered, he said, are Social Impact Academy, Community Impact Accelerator Fellowship, Entrepreneur in Residence, SDGs Action Lab, among others. 

(NAN)