Labspace Innovation Hub has identified four members of its team and the wider innovation community who died in a tragic road accident in Niger State, describing them as technology entrepreneurs, programme coordinators, educators and professionals who contributed to youth development and innovation across Northern Nigeria.
The organisation, in a media clarification issued on Thursday, following reports about the accident, said the deceased were more than just students, as some reports had described them, noting that they played important roles in supporting startups, promoting digital skills, advancing technology education and nurturing young innovators.
The four deceased persons were identified as Nafisat Abubakar Aguye, Hub Manager of Labspace Innovation Hub; Ibrahim Ado Bayero, a supporting staff member and Personal Assistant to the hub’s co-founder, Abdulkadir Suleiman Lapai; Emmanuel Olumide Fayomi, Co-Founder of SchoolSQL and a technology entrepreneur; and George-Junior Alainengiya, a former intern and supporting staff member who served as lead instructor for the Labspace Kids Summer Camp 2026.
According to Labspace, the four were travelling to the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, to conduct a sensitisation programme for the Young Africa Innovates (YAI) Programme, a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Mastercard Foundation initiative being implemented in Niger State by Labspace, when the accident occurred.
The organisation said it released their profiles to ensure that their professional backgrounds, contributions and achievements were accurately represented and that they received the recognition they deserved.
Nafisat Abubakar Aguye: Hub Manager Who Led Innovation Programmes
Nafisat Abubakar Aguye served as Hub Manager at Labspace Innovation Hub from 2023 until her death.
During her time at the organisation, she played a central role in coordinating and delivering programmes focused on entrepreneurship, technology education and youth development across Niger State.
Labspace said she coordinated its participation in the iHatch programme, through which startups from Niger State, including SchoolSQL and Bluupay, were represented at GITEX Nigeria in Lagos.
She also coordinated three editions of TechXpreneur, a programme designed to support women in technology entrepreneurship, and served as a coordinator for the iDICE Startup Bridge Programme, which supported startups representing Niger State at the national level.
Aguye also supervised Niger State’s participation in the Girls in ICT programme on three occasions. In one of the editions, the state emerged first in the North-Central zone.
Beyond these responsibilities, she coordinated several other Labspace initiatives, including the Summer Kids Camp, training programmes, Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) activities and the recently launched National Hybrid SIWES Programme.
She also represented Labspace at national engagements and contributed to strengthening the innovation ecosystem in Niger State.
At the time of her death, Aguye had recently secured admission to pursue a professional master’s programme in Financial Technology and Blockchain at the International Centre for Emerging Technology, FUT Minna.
She was also a co-founder of Use Wosh Mart, also known as Wosh Mart Services, alongside Emmanuel Olumide Fayomi.
Labspace said she would be remembered for her gentle disposition, kindness, commitment and dedication to serving the organisation and its wider community.
Ibrahim Ado Bayero: ABU Graduate Supporting Digital Transformation
Ibrahim Ado Bayero joined Labspace Innovation Hub through the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) and continued contributing to the organisation after completing his fellowship.
He was a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), where he obtained both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
At the time of his death, Bayero worked as the Personal Assistant to Abdulkadir Suleiman Lapai, co-founder of Labspace Innovation Hub, in Minna.
He was also part of the team supporting digital transformation initiatives across general hospitals in Niger State through Tespire Health.
In addition, he contributed to mentoring young innovators participating in national technology competitions.
Labspace said Bayero also supported its Girls in ICT activities, including initiatives involving Niger State schoolgirls participating in the National Girls in ICT 3.0 Programme in 2026.
Outside his work at Labspace, he was an active member of the Nigerian Library Association and was preparing to pursue a PhD.
The organisation described him as calm and reserved, adding that he was always willing to support others and made valuable contributions to technology, education and innovation.
Emmanuel Olumide Fayomi: SchoolSQL Co-Founder and Technology Entrepreneur
Emmanuel Olumide Fayomi was a technology entrepreneur and an active contributor to the Minna innovation ecosystem.
As co-founder of SchoolSQL, he represented Labspace and Niger State at GITEX Nigeria and participated in the National Information Technology Development Agency’s (NITDA) iHatch programme.
Fayomi graduated from the Federal University of Technology, Minna, in 2020 and previously worked at Motiv8.
He was also a member of the Enablers Network and had served as its patron.
According to Labspace, Fayomi played an important role in facilitating sessions for its National Hybrid SIWES Programme, helping young people develop practical and professional skills.
He also co-founded Wosh Mart Services alongside Aguye.
His work focused on building technology-driven ventures and contributing to the development of the local startup ecosystem.
Labspace said Fayomi would be remembered as a builder, entrepreneur and valued member of the community whose contributions extended beyond a single organisation.
George-Junior Alainengiya: Mechatronics Graduate Who Taught Children Robotics
George-Junior Alainengiya was a recent graduate of the Mechatronics Engineering programme at the Federal University of Technology, Minna.
He joined Labspace as an intern before going on to support the organisation’s technology education and youth development activities.
The organisation said he demonstrated strong software development skills and contributed to technology education initiatives, including tutoring children in robotics.
Alainengiya served as the lead instructor for the Labspace Kids Summer Camp 2026, where he helped introduce young learners to technology, robotics and practical innovation.
Through his work, he contributed to Labspace’s efforts to nurture children’s interest in technology and equip young people with skills for the future.
He would be remembered for his technical abilities, commitment to technology education and the role he played in inspiring young learners, the organisation said.
Labspace Appeals to Media to Correct Reports
In its appeal to media organisations, bloggers and other publishers, Labspace said the four deceased individuals should not be reduced to descriptions that fail to reflect their professional identities and contributions.
The organisation stressed that they were professionals, entrepreneurs, programme coordinators, technology educators and contributors to the innovation ecosystem in Niger State and Northern Nigeria.
It said their work supported startups, developed young talent and connected local innovators to opportunities at the national level.
“Their loss is deeply felt by Labspace, their families, colleagues, partners, and the communities they served,” the organisation said.
Labspace respectfully urged media organisations and other publishers to review their reports and make necessary corrections wherever the professional identities or contributions of the deceased had been inaccurately represented.
The organisation explained that the clarification was not intended to diminish the grief surrounding the tragedy but to ensure that each victim was remembered accurately and with the dignity and recognition their lives and work deserved.
Beyond seeking accurate media representation of the deceased, Labspace called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the road accident.
It urged the relevant authorities to ensure that anyone found responsible for reckless driving is held accountable in accordance with the law.
The organisation also expressed sympathy with the families of the deceased and everyone affected by the tragedy.
