Innovation Hubs and Urban Poverty: Rethinking Pathways for Inclusive Development

Innovation hubs have emerged as transformative tools for addressing urban poverty, particularly in marginalized slum communities. This study investigated their role in poverty alleviation in Abuja, Nigeria, using a convergent parallel mixed-methods design. Data were collected through two focus group discussions with 16 participants (10 in the first and 6 in the second) and a structured survey of 100 residents, of which 82 valid responses were retrieved. The study examined the influence of economic and non-economic factors on hub adoption. Qualitative findings revealed that low income, limited market access, social trust, and cultural norms are major barriers to participation, while leadership and community engagement are perceived as critical enablers. However, regression analysis showed that neither economic (B = -0.028, p = 0.266) nor non-economic factors (B = -0.003, p = 0.889) significantly predicted hub usage, with the model explaining only 1.6% of the variance (R² = 0.016, F = 0.664, p = 0.517). The study concludes that while statistical evidence downplays the independent effect of economic and social variables, their interaction with infrastructural and cultural conditions remains critical. To maximize their poverty reduction potential, innovation hubs must adopt affordable service models, embed cultural sensitivity, strengthen local leadership involvement, and adapt global lessons to slum-specific contexts. These findings provide actionable insights for inclusive urban development policies in Nigeria and beyond.