EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INNOVATION HUBS IN ENHANCING INCLUSION AND ECONOMIC PRODUCTIVITY IN TERTIARY EDUCATION IN THE SOUTH-SOUTH GEOPOLITICAL ZONE OF NIGERIA

Abstract

This study evaluates the effectiveness of innovation hubs in promoting inclusive participation and economic productivity in tertiary institutions within Nigeria’s South-South geopolitical zone. Amid rising graduate unemployment and limited digital engagement, innovation hubs are emerging as strategic platforms for skill development, entrepreneurship, and institutional reform. The study adopts a descriptive survey design. With the use of multi-stage sampling technique, 400 respondents made up of academic staff, innovation hub coordinators, final-year students, and entrepreneurship development officers across selected tertiary institutions across the six states in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria was sampled for the study. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings reveal significant variation in hub functionality and accessibility, with some institutions demonstrating improved graduate outcomes and startup creation. However, inclusion remains uneven, especially for marginalized groups. Key challenges include infrastructural deficits, limited partnerships, and administrative inefficiencies. Anchored on the Diffusion of Innovation Theory and the Capability Approach, the study recommends increased funding, institutional integration of hub activities, and equity-focused policies to maximize the potential of innovation hubs in driving sustainable development in tertiary education.