
By Favour Unukaso
THE Nigeria Innovation Cluster Exchange (NICE) has opened applications for its Pipeline Clinics, a sector-focused programme aimed at helping Nigerian businesses and innovators overcome growth constraints and build stronger local innovation ecosystems.
The programme targets businesses operating within six priority clusters identified through NICE’s research: agro-processing in Kano, manufacturing in Abia and Ogun, health in Oyo, minerals in Akwa Ibom and cybersecurity in Abuja.
Implemented by The Nest Innovation Technology Park in partnership with the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub under the UK Government’s Digital Access Programme, with collaboration from the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), the initiative is designed to provide practical support rather than generic entrepreneurship training.
The clinics will focus on innovation management, access to facilities and partners, prototyping, partnerships and peer learning.
According to the organisers, the programme is intended to address a persistent weakness in Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem, where startups, research institutions, entrepreneurship-support organisations and innovation hubs often operate independently, limiting collaboration and the sharing of knowledge and infrastructure.
The programme will also involve Experts-in-Residence from the United Kingdom, who will provide expertise in areas such as innovation strategy, incubation models, and technology validation. Nigerian ecosystem leaders are expected to participate in reciprocal learning with UK innovation clusters.

The Co-founder of The Nest Innovation Technology Park, Oluwajoba Oloba, said the programme would strengthen Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem by combining knowledge sharing with government resources and institutional partnerships.
The clinics are open to Nigerian-owned or Nigeria-based businesses and enterprises with an existing business, startup, prototype, product, service or clearly defined business model.
Applicants must operate within, support, or demonstrate strong relevance to one of the six priority clusters, and have a clearly defined business challenge, growth opportunity, or development need that can be addressed through the programme.
Priority may be given to businesses with growth potential, innovative products or services, market traction, expansion opportunities, investment readiness and job-creation potential.
Participants are also expected to commit the required time, provide relevant business information for assessment and apply the recommendations arising from the clinics.
The programme will be followed by collaborative innovation sprints, during which participating clusters will work with Nigerian and UK partners to develop and validate solutions to identified challenges.
The organisers expect the process to produce collaborative prototypes or proof-of-concept projects, while strengthening links among businesses, investors, research institutions and innovation-support organisations. Applicants can apply via https://forms.gle/9Hhm6b1zXFh1phzr7.