Okoli, Chinwe

Solution Innovation District, Nigeria

Chinwe Okoli holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Management from the University of London, United Kingdom and Diploma in Management of Higher Education Institutes from Galilee International Management Institute. She is experienced in the set up and management of physical/digital innovation hubs; science parks; co-working spaces; innovation districts; angel investment networks/fund and thriving innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems.

She served as the pioneer Manager of the first university-embedded innovation hub in Nigeria located at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where she co-designed, and implemented the business structure, curriculum, and full startup incubation program. She identified and coached students and youths who mostly had zero business ideas to develop competitive startup businesses. She also served as the pioneer Manager of the first University-embedded Science Park in Nigeria, called Lion Science Park, located within the University of Nigeria and focused on research commercialization and business acceleration. She has contributed her knowledge and experience as a resource person at summit level forums and has participated/ served a Guest speaker/resource person at global events.

Chinwe is the Founder of Grand Africa Initiative (GAIN), Within the last three years, GAIN through its programs and trainings has reached over one million (1,000,000) African youths who live in over 90 countries. She served as the Technical Assistant at the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, Federal Republic of Nigeria. Passionate about youth development, women and Africa’s development, she played a key role in championing the South Africa-Nigeria Youth Dialogue aimed at promoting integration, peace, entrepreneurship, innovation and social cohesion among the youths of both countries. She co-anchored the summit-level launch of the South Africa-Nigeria Youth Dialogue with Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs in December 2021.