Co-working hub in Ogbomoso draws national attention after viral video

A co-working space in Ogbomoso has drawn attention across Nigeria after a video by a Lagos-based influencer showed activities inside the facility. The clip, shared on social media, spread within hours and sparked interest in a town not often linked with innovation.

The facility, known as The Assembly by EnnovateLab, is located near Ladoke Akintola University of Technology. It serves as a base for entrepreneurs, developers, creatives and students working on projects.

Innovation stories in Nigeria are often linked to Lagos, where access to funding and networks is more established. However, the emergence of The Assembly points to a shift in how innovation spaces are being developed across the country.

The hub provides shared work areas, meeting rooms, internet access and power supply. It also includes a conference hall used for training, seminars and community events. Organisers say the aim is to create a place where people can meet, share ideas and work on solutions.

The location of the space is seen as part of its appeal. Positioned beside the university, which has a large student population, it connects young people with professionals and founders. Ogbomoso also links parts of northern and south-western Nigeria, making it accessible to visitors from nearby towns.

Next to the facility is Kinora, which provides meals and serves as an extension of the workspace for informal meetings.

Users of the space say its value goes beyond physical features. Regular events and open sessions encourage interaction among members. Some users report that they have found jobs or started ventures through connections made at the hub.

“The conversations here lead to real opportunities,” one user said. “You meet people working on ideas, and it pushes you to act.”

The project is led by Ennovate Lab, a group focused on building communities around technology and entrepreneurship in places outside major cities. The organisation’s approach is based on the view that “talent is everywhere, but opportunity is unevenly distributed.”

Rather than focus on established centres, the group works in locations where access to infrastructure and networks is limited. Its goal is to provide a setting where ideas can be developed into viable ventures through collaboration and consistent engagement.

The initiative aligns with a long-term plan by the traditional leadership in Ogbomoso to support development through education and enterprise. By placing a hub near a major institution, organisers hope to connect learning with practical application.

The space has also drawn interest from organisations within Nigeria’s technology sector. Groups such as Interswitch and CcHub have engaged with the hub through visits and programmes.

Experts say the concept behind the space reflects a broader idea known as placemaking, where environments are designed to support collaboration. In global examples such as Silicon Valley, innovation has been driven by frequent interaction among people with different skills.

At The Assembly, organisers aim to create similar conditions on a local scale. A founder may work on a project while others nearby offer input or join efforts. Over time, such exchanges can lead to new products or services.

For communities like Ogbomoso, the presence of such a hub may influence how development takes place. Instead of moving to larger cities, some young people may choose to build within their communities.

This shift could affect economic activity. When businesses are created locally, jobs may follow, and skills may remain within the area. It may also change how young people view their future.

“Success does not have to mean leaving,” another user said. “You can stay and still build something that matters.”

The attention generated by the viral video has placed Ogbomoso on the map of Nigeria’s growing innovation network. Observers say the next phase will depend on how the community continues to use and sustain the space.

For now, The Assembly stands as an example of how structured environments can support ideas, even outside major urban centres.