Technology
10 Best Places to Create a Startup Hub in Nigeria
Recently, I wrote about the most critical factors to consider before creating a startup hub in Nigeria. While any state government can actually make this happen, there are particularly some cities that could get it done faster within just a couple of years.
As Paul Graham, the most respected authority on startups put it: For the price of a football stadium, any town that was decent to live in could make itself one of the biggest startup hubs in the world. What’s more, it wouldn’t take very long. You could probably do it in five years during the term of one mayor (or governor).
Granted, most of the state governors claim to have ICT development plans but have hardly harnessed the economic benefits and potentials of a technology & business startup culture in certain cities.
With so much attention on diversifying the Nigerian economy from over-dependence on oil, to tourism, agriculture, and other sectors, what better time to focus on developing the “knowledge economy” driven by massive ICT infrastructure development in any given state or city.
According to a post over at LaptopJudge, a “Knowledge Economy” will naturally give birth to a new generation of technology-savvy entrepreneurs with a rare business culture – one that can support the vision of creating a startup hub in any city in the world.
Today, Internet and technology companies such as Google, Yahoo and Microsoft have become some of the largest employers of labour in the United States and have generated huge streams of revenue that has successfully driven the U.S economy.
Can this success be replicated in Nigeria?
Yes. But it would require a lot of effort and investment from the government and the private sector. Interestingly, there are a few states or cities in Nigeria I’ve identified where a “technology” startup hub could easily be created.
I’ll be profiling and analyzing five of these states and cities in this post, so in no particular order, here are 5 best places to grow a startup industry in Nigeria.
1. Ogun State
Located in south-western Nigeria, Ogun State has a 2005 population estimate of over 4 million inhabitants, with Abeokuta as the capital and largest city.
The state has the largest number of universities in Nigeria such as Crescent University, Abeokuta, Covenant University, Ota, Babcock University, Ilisan Remo, Bell University of Technology, Ota, and polytechnics such as Abraham Adesanya ICT Polytechnic, Ijebu Igbo, Gateway ICT Polytechnic in Saapade and Igbesa.
With heavy investment in education, ICT development and infrastructure and an on-going solar power e-learning project, Ogun state looks like a great place for startups to thrive. It had a GDP of $10.47 billion in 2007 and per capita income of $2,740.
Besides, the cost of living and doing business in Ogun state is relatively low compared to Lagos state. For instance, you could get an affordable flat (for office space) in towns such as Mowe-Ofada, Ota or even Abeokuta.
Personally, I think that Ogun state is one of the best places to create a startup hub in Nigeria as it is gradually developing and investing in – infrastructure, ICT and education – some of the key factors needed to create a startup chain reaction.
2. Enugu State
With a population estimate of about 5.6 million people (2005), Enugu state is home to Nigeria’s first indigenous university, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN).
An inland state in south-eastern Nigeria, Enugu also hosts the Enugu State University of Science & Technology (ESUT), Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu State College of Education Technical, Caritas University, Amorji-Nike, Renaissance University, Ugbawka, Our Saviour’s Institute of Science and Technology amongst other learning institutions.
Enugu had a coal industry that use to be one of the biggest employers of labour. In fact, coal was first discovered in the Udi Ridge in the 1900s, led by a British mining engineer named Albert Ernest Kitson, after which Frederick Lugard took keen interest in the discovery and by 1914, the first shipment of coal was made to Britain. Little wonder, Enugu is described as the “Coal City”.
The energy needs of the state could be made a permanent solution with the development of the coal industry and the reactivation of the Oji River Power Station located in Enugu (which used to supply electricity to all of Eastern Nigeria). Even so much so that the proximity of the Enugu coal mines to the power station is only a driving distance of about 20 minutes.
With recent investments in ICT development, infrastructure and a WiFi Internet access project embarked on by the state government with support from Zinox Technologies, Enugu state could become a great startup hub in the future.
3. Lagos State
As the commercial capital city of Nigeria with a population estimated at 18 million inhabitants and the vision to transform into a mega city by 2015, Lagos state is certainly one of the best places to create a startup hub.
No doubt, Lagos has the people – entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, consultants, technology enthusiasts, etc – who could spark up a chain reaction for technology startups in the next few years. Again, the state’s GDP as of 2007 was $33.68 billion and a per capita income of $3,649 which makes it the largest economy in Nigeria.
The University of Lagos at Akoka, Yaba is well-renowned for research and development in technology and innovation and has produced some of the best talents in Nigeria such as Fola Adeola, Dele Olojede, Richard Mofe Damijo and Matilda Kerry.
Lagos also has a well-renowned Business School (LBS), ranked among the top 55 Business Schools in the world by the Financial Times of London (2009), as well as several other institutions around the metropolis, which naturally makes it a place with a business culture.
Even though Lagos is densely populated, cities and towns such as Lekki and Badagry, surrounded by the Lagos Lagoon, bay and beaches, are gradually experiencing property and infrastructural development with expansion plans for Transport, Airport, Free Trade Zone and Golf course, which could eventually make these cities a great startup hub in the future.
Personally, I’d love to see Internet companies headquartered in the Lekki Pennisula (Lekki Bay Area, as I call it) as well as Badagry, Victoria Island and Ikoyi within the next 10-15 years.
4. Cross River State
The state of Cross River with its capital city, Calabar has been acknowledged as the leading eco-friendly tourism spot in Nigeria. With a 2005 population estimate of over 3 million inhabitants and a 2007 GDP of $9.29 billion and per capita of $3, 150, this coastal state located in southeastern Nigeria is a wonderful place to live and build a startup.
The state is home to the University of Calabar and several other institutions and is gradually transforming itself into a world tourist attraction, especially with landmarks such as the Obudu Ranch Resort, Tinapa Business Resort, Calabar Free Trade Zone and the Calabar Sea and Airports which all present great opportunities for business and trade within the region.
Besides, the Cross River State Information Technology Village in collaboration with Microsoft offers the Microsoft Unlimited Potential Programme for the South-South geo-political zone which is delivering IT training to students and inhabitants to keep pace with the technology in today’s competitive business environment.
Tinapa, the first world-class integrated business and leisure resort in Nigeria, located in Calabar with world class facilities and Free Trade Zone could become one of the biggest technology startup hubs in Africa.
5. Rivers State
Rivers State is the second largest economy in Nigeria after Lagos state with GDP of over $21 billion and per capita of $3,965, according to the 2007 CGIDD figures, particularly due to the fact that it is the chief oil-producing and refining state.
The capital city, Port Harcourt which is the main hub of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria as well as the West African sub-region, has a population estimated at 2.7 million for the Urban Area, while the Greater Port Harcourt Area is estimated at about 3.7 million, according to a 2007 population estimate.
The city is home to the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, University of Port Harcourt, an international airport, two seaports (F.O.T Onne and Port Harcourt Wharf), two stadiums (Sharks Stadium and Liberation Stadium) and two refineries.
However, the activities of several armed militants in recent times have made life and commerce in the once peaceful town a dangerous place to live and operate a business. Again, the city has a very high standard of living that could make it difficult for startups to thrive and survive, especially in their first year.
But startups that decide to move there can take advantage of the oil-rich economy and wealthy individuals who reside there, as this could help create a Venture Capital industry.
Besides, with the development of the Greater Port Harcourt which would provide economic growth poles with strong lateral linkages and exerting a positive impact on the economy and leading to a sustained increase of incomes of the New Town regions, the city could grow to become a great startup hub.
My final thoughts
Creating a startup hub in any of these cities will definitely take some time. It would start with each state government recognising the future economic benefits of creating a startup hub and harnessing its early potentials and development.
However, any individual or group of individuals that could start or build an online venture, create auto title loans, secure funding from investors or sell a percentage stake to a global or local technology company, and move to any of these cities could very well cause a sustainable chain reaction for the development of a startup hub.
By the time more and more startups move into an ideal and decent city or town, it could attract a critical mass of people and investors, thereby creating a Venture Capital industry that could drive any startup hub in Nigeria.
Personally, I would love to wake up one morning in the year 2020, tune to CNBC Africa and listen to the news that a local Internet company has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the price of the company’s stock has eventually risen 30% to $467.23 per share.
If you find this post helpful, Read my next article – “how to buy a good laptop stand for desk” I’ll be discussing five more potential startup hubs in a future post.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has transferred its Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) framework to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in a move aimed at strengthening the security of Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem.
According to a statement issued by NITDA’s Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations, Mrs Hadiza Umar, the transfer was announced during a formal handover ceremony at NITDA’s headquarters on Thursday.
PKI is a digital security system that helps verify people’s identities online and protects information shared over the internet. It uses encrypted digital certificates to confirm that an individual, business, or government agency is genuinely who they claim to be before sensitive information is exchanged.
It helps prevent identity theft, impersonation, and fraud by ensuring that online transactions and communications are encrypted and can only be accessed by authorised parties.
The handover is expected to provide the technology needed to securely verify the identities of Nigerians as the government expands digital public services under the newly amended NIMC Act.
NITDA’s Director General, Mr Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said the move reflects the agency’s commitment to supporting government institutions using technology to drive national development.
He said NITDA had carried out extensive foundational work on both Public Key Infrastructure and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), adding that the agency would work closely with NIMC to ensure a seamless transition of the technology.
“NITDA’s role extends beyond regulation to enabling technology adoption across the country. We will continue to support NIMC and other government institutions embarking on digital transformation initiatives,” he said.
According to him, Digital Public Infrastructure is as important to economic growth as physical infrastructure and must remain secure, reliable, and accessible to all Nigerians.
He added that NITDA remains committed to fostering collaboration, supporting innovation, and ensuring that digital solutions are inclusive.
The handover of the PKI follows the signing of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 into law by President Bola Tinubu.
The new Act gives NIMC expanded powers to oversee Nigeria’s digital identity infrastructure as the Commission is now designated as the Root Certification Authority for Nigeria’s National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), placing it at the centre of the country’s digital identity, authentication, and electronic trust framework.
The NIMC Act also seeks to harmonise identity databases across government agencies and establish the National Identification Number (NIN) as the primary means of identity verification and authentication for public service delivery.
On her part, NIMC Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Abisoye Coker Odusote, described the amended NIMC Act as a major milestone in Nigeria’s identity management journey.
She said the legislation replaces the framework that had been in place since 2007 and provides the legal foundation for transitioning from a traditional identity database to a modern digital identity ecosystem.
According to her, the new system is designed to enable seamless interoperability, improved security, and greater efficiency across both public and private sector platforms.
Mrs Coker Odusote said the transition moves Nigeria away from traditional card-based identity systems toward secure digital credentials built around the principle of “one person, one identity,” giving every Nigerian a unique and verifiable digital identity.
She added that NIMC would implement the transition in carefully planned phases to safeguard citizens’ data and maintain public trust.
Both agencies said the collaboration will help accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda, with NIMC providing the country’s identity infrastructure while NITDA focuses on regulation, ecosystem development, and expanding technology adoption across the economy.
Vanilla building is fine. But after your tenth dirt house, you want more.
That’s where a minecraft building mod comes in. More blocks. Better tools. Fancy features.
Here’s what actually helps.
What Is a Building Mod Minecraft?
A building mod minecraft is just… a mod for building. Adds new blocks. New ways to place them. Sometimes entire new mechanics.
Could be as simple as more colors of concrete. Could be as complex as machinery that builds for you.
Some popular ones:
- Chisels & Bits — lets you carve blocks into tiny pieces
- Create — gears, contraptions, moving parts
- MrCrayfish’s Furniture Mod — couches, tables, kitchen stuff
I use Chisels & Bits for detailed work. Create cool moving doors. Furniture mod for interiors.
Why Use Minecraft Building Mods?
Vanilla has limits. 16 colors of wool. Basic stairs. No furniture.
Minecraft building mods break those limits. Suddenly you have:
- Slopes and curves (not just blocks)
- Furniture that actually looks like furniture
- Micro-blocks for tiny details
- Schematics — copy and paste builds
It’s not cheating. It’s just more options.
But fair warning — mods can lag. Especially on weak computers. And servers need to install them too.
Finding Good Mods
CurseForge is the main spot. Also Modrinth. Both have tons of minecraft building mods.
Here’s how I pick:
- Check downloads. More downloads usually means it works
- Read recent comments. If people say “crashes on 1.20” — skip it
- Look at screenshots. Does it actually look good?
- Check the last update. Abandoned mods break on new versions
I avoid anything that hasn’t been updated in a year. Minecraft changes. Old mods die.
Installing Stuff
You need a mod loader. Forge or Fabric. Pick one.
Some mods support multiple loaders, but many are made specifically for Forge, NeoForge, or Fabric. Always check before downloading.
Steps:
- Install Forge or Fabric
- Download the mod .jar file
- Drop it in the mods folder
- Launch the game
- Done
If it crashes, you probably got the wrong version. Or missed a required library. Read the error. Google it. Fix it.
My Favorite Builds With Mods
Last month I made a working elevator with Create. Gears, pulleys, the whole thing. It took three hours. Broke five times. Worth it.
Also built a modern house with furniture mods. Couch, TV, kitchen sink. Actually, it looked like a real house. Not a dirt box with windows.
And a castle with Chisels & Bits. Carved stone faces into the walls. Tiny details you can’t do in vanilla.
That’s the thing — minecraft building mods let you make stuff that actually looks good. Without being a god-tier builder.
The Community Side
Building alone is fine. But showing people? Better.
I post on Reddit sometimes. r/feedthebeast for modded builds. r/Minecraftbuilds for anything.
But the real talk happens in Discord servers. Specific mod communities. Or general minecraft hosting discussion for communities where people share server ideas.
That’s where you find modpack recommendations. Troubleshooting help. People to play with.
Hosting Modded Servers
Want everyone in the same world? Then you’ll need a server for that. And modded servers are heavier than vanilla.
More mods = more RAM. More CPU. More potential crashes.
That’s why minecraft hosting discussion for communities matters. People share which hosts actually handle modpacks well.
Some hosts advertise “mod support” but lag with 5 mods. Others run 200 mods smoothly. Real user reviews tell the truth.
What to ask:
- How much RAM for my modpack?
- SSD or HDD? (SSD, always)
- Do they help with mod setup?
- What’s their actual uptime?
Common Mod Problems
I’ve hit all of these.
Version mismatch. Mod is for 1.19, you’re on 1.20. Crash.
Missing dependency. Mod needs another mod to work. Read the description. Install the required stuff.
Conflicting mods. Two mods change the same thing. Hard to fix. Remove one.
Server-client mismatch. You have mods the server doesn’t. Or vice versa. Exact same mod list on both sides. Every time.
Lag. Too many mods. Or one bad mod. Test by removing half. See if lag stops. Repeat.
Modpacks vs Individual Mods
Downloading mods one by one sucks. You forget dependencies. Version mix. Headache.
Modpacks fix this. Curated collections. Everything tested together. One download.
Examples:
- FTB Academy — teaches mods gradually
- All the Mods — huge collection, everything included
- Create: Above and Beyond — focused on Create mod with progression
I use modpacks for multiplayer. Individual mods for single player when I want specific stuff.
The Future of Building Mods
1.21 changed some things. New block formats. Mods had to adapt.
But the community is fast. Most popular minecraft building mods updated within weeks.
NeoForge vs Forge split affects things too. Some mods only support one. Check before you install anything.
Fabric is lightweight and full of performance mods, while Forge and NeoForge still support many of the biggest content-heavy modpacks.
Bottom Line
Building in vanilla is fine. But a good building mod minecraft makes it way better. More blocks. More detail. More fun.
Find mods on CurseForge. Test them. See what fits your style.
Join minecraft hosting discussion for communities if you need server advice. Real people, real experience. That’s it. Go download something and build weird stuff.
The Rise of AI Face Swap Technology
AI face swap technology has evolved from a novelty into a powerful creative tool. What once required professional video editing software and hours of manual work can now be done in seconds with a single click. Fueled by advances in deep learning and generative AI, face swap tools have become remarkably realistic and accessible. By 2026, millions of content creators, marketers, filmmakers, and everyday users rely on these tools for entertainment, business, and personal projects. As the technology matures, choosing the right tool has never been more important — or more competitive.
How to Use AI Face Swap in Your Work and Daily Life
AI face swap tools are no longer just for fun — they’re reshaping how we work and communicate:
- Content Creation & Social Media: Swap faces to create viral memes, funny videos, or personalized content that drives engagement on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
- Marketing & Advertising: Brands use face swap to localize ad campaigns by replacing models with regional faces, saving time and budget on reshoots.
- Film & Video Production: Indie filmmakers use AI face swap for de-aging effects, stunt doubles, or recreating scenes without expensive CGI.
- E-Commerce & Fashion: Virtual try-on experiences let shoppers see how they’d look in different outfits or hairstyles.
- Personal Fun: Swap your face onto movie characters, historical figures, or your favorite celebrities for entertaining social content.
- Education & Training: Create realistic training simulations or educational videos with customized faces.
How to Judge a Good AI Face Swap Tool
Not all face swap tools are created equal. Here’s what to look for:
- Realism & Quality: Smooth blending, accurate skin tone matching, and consistent lighting.
- Speed: Results in seconds, not minutes.
- Ease of Use: An intuitive interface for non-technical users.
- Privacy & Security: Clear data policy — no storing images without consent.
- Multi-Format Support: Handles photos, videos, and real-time swaps.
- Customization Options: Fine-tuning for expression, angle, and lighting.
- Pricing & Value: Transparent pricing with a free tier or trial.
Part 4: Top 5 AI Face Swap Tools in 2026
🥇 1. Easemate — Best Overall Pick
Website: https://www.easemate.ai/
🔑 Key Features: Supports photo & video face swapping with real-time preview, batch processing, automatic skin tone matching, intelligent lighting adjustment, and multi-face detection for group photos. Privacy-first design — images are never stored without consent.
✅ Pros: Exceptional realism with accurate edge detection and shadow rendering. Lightning-fast even for HD video. Beginner-friendly interface with zero technical knowledge required. Flexible, affordable pricing for individuals and teams. Strong privacy policy for peace of mind.
❌ Cons: Batch video processing and 4K export require a paid plan.
2. DeepFaceLab — Best for Advanced Users & Filmmakers
🔑 Key Features: Deep neural network-based swaps with full control over face alignment, blending modes, mask refinement, and custom model training on personal datasets.
✅ Pros: Completely free and open-source. Unmatched customization for experienced users. Huge active community with tutorials and pre-trained models. Ideal for long-form video and cinematic-quality projects.
❌ Cons: Steep learning curve, requires high-performance GPU, no cloud version.
3. Reface — Best for Fun & Social Media
🔑 Key Features: Mobile-first app with a massive library of celebrity clips, movie scenes, GIFs, and meme templates. Real-time facial landmark mapping and one-tap social sharing to Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp.
✅ Pros: Extremely easy to use — just take a selfie and pick a template. Library updated regularly with trending pop culture content. Perfect for casual entertainment and viral social content.
❌ Cons: Mobile only; not suitable for professional or high-resolution output.
4. FaceSwapper.ai — Best for Quick, No-Fuss Photo Swaps
🔑 Key Features: Browser-based, one-click photo face swap with no account required. Supports JPG, PNG, and WEBP formats. Developer-friendly API for app integration and automated workflows.
✅ Pros: Zero-signup experience — incredibly accessible for one-off tasks. Fast, straightforward, and frictionless. Robust API for developers needing programmatic access.
❌ Cons: Limited video support and fewer customization options. Best for simple, single-image use cases.
5. Vidnoz AI — Best All-in-One Video Platform
🔑 Key Features: Full video creation suite including face swap, AI avatar generation, text-to-video, voice cloning, lip-sync dubbing, and multilingual video translation. Face swap integrates seamlessly with the broader production workflow.
✅ Pros: Outstanding value as a multi-function platform. Solid video output quality with regular improvements. Generous free tier available. Great for businesses producing localized or multilingual video content at scale.
❌ Cons: Face swap is a secondary feature — lacks the depth and advanced controls of dedicated tools.
Part 5: Conclusion
AI face swap in 2026 is smarter and more accessible than ever. Among all options, Easemate stands out as the best all-around choice — combining professional-grade quality with an effortless experience and a privacy-first approach. Start with Easemate today.
Part 6: FAQ
Q1: Is AI face swap legal?
Yes, for personal and creative use. Using it for deception or non-consensual imagery is illegal in many jurisdictions.
Q2: Is Easemate free?
It offers a free tier; premium plans unlock batch processing and high-res video output.
Q3: Can these tools work on videos?
Yes — Easemate, DeepFaceLab, and Vidnoz AI all support video face swapping.
Q4: How do I protect my privacy?
Choose platforms with clear privacy policies. Easemate is known for its privacy-first approach.
Q5: Photo vs. video face swap — what’s the difference?
Photo swap is faster and simpler. Video requires frame-by-frame processing but delivers more impressive results.
Q6: Do I need technical skills?
Not at all! Tools like Easemate are designed for everyday users — just upload and let the AI handle the rest.
