UNDP moves to tackle issues affecting Nigeria using accelerator lab
Chima Azubuike
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has established laboratory to help analyse and bring solutions to challenges affecting Nigeria.
Since 2018, UNDP has a worldwide network of 90 Accelerator Labs serving 78 countries established to re-imagine development for the 21st century, geared towards building the world’s largest and fastest learning network to reach Agenda 2030 and the attainment of the SDGs.
The accelerator lab is funded by German Cooperation, the Italian Government and the Qatar Development Foundation would bring local challenges to a halt, thereby proffering remedies to the country’s development impediments.
According to a press statement which was made available to our correspondent, on Wednesday by UNDP’s acting Head of Communications Alison Clement, the lab would serve as a facilitator, helping to connect grassroot innovators and policy makers, to develop new approaches that fit the complexity of Nigeria’s current development trajectory.
Speaking in Lagos during the launch, UNDP’s Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa, Ahunna Eziakonwa said the Accelerator Lab presents an opportunity for the innovation ecosystem within the country to re-imagine a new future, while leveraging local solutions for inclusive and accelerated development.
According to her, The Accelerator Lab in Nigeria would help to identify development problems which would be solved together with local and national partners by offering support in the areas of solutions mapping, testing, experimenting.
She said the Lab offers the Nigerian innovation ecosystem a platform to develop human centered solutions, at the speed and scale required by the needs of the region, stressing that the goal is to help close the gap between the current practices of international development in an accelerated pace of change.
Eziakonwa said, “We are seeing a different narrative in Nigeria, which is the face of remarkable innovation, cutting edge development ideas, and an excitement about the future.
“The Accelerator Lab will help innovators across the country look at challenges through the lens of opportunity and develop the true potential of this country’s innovation and ingenuity.”
