The Ilorin Innovation Hub has officially commenced incubation and acceleration programmes with a target to generate 10,000 direct and indirect jobs in the coming years.
The technology and innovation centre, located in Ilorin, capital of Kwara State, Nigeria, is an initiative of the state government, built and equipped in partnership with IHS Nigeria, a subsidiary of IHS Holdings Limited.
Covering a land area of over 13,000sqm, with seating capacity for over 1,000 users, the Ilorin Innovation Hub has been described as the biggest technology space of its kind in West Africa and considered a masterpiece of functional space and design architecture.
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It was aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda of investing in the digital economy to stimulate local industries, enhance competitiveness, increase productivity and provide millions of Nigerians with new skills, as well as long-term employment and wealth creation opportunities.
At the programme kick-off yesterday, ahead of the commissioning, the CEO of IHS Nigeria, Mohamad Darwish, explained that through tailored training, incubation and accelerator programmes, the hub would “cultivate a thriving tech ecosystem that generates over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs in the coming years across digital skills, agricultural technology and energy innovation.”
He said, “As a company that has always been at the forefront of digital infrastructure development and Nigeria’s backbone of digital possibilities, IHS Nigeria is proud to support initiatives that drive inclusive economic growth and deepen the digital economy.
“We see the Ilorin Innovation Hub as a beacon of possibility—one that will unlock doors for thousands of young Nigerians eager to transform their ideas into viable businesses.
“We look forward to seeing the remarkable innovations that will emerge from this hub and to working with all stakeholders in realizing its full potential.”
Mohamad stated that HIS’ partnership with the state government “is a testament to the commitment of His Excellency, Governor AbdulRazaq, the Kwara State Government and IHS Nigeria to supporting local innovation and empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs, developers and business leaders.”
The Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Dr Mary Ayinde, who represented Governor AbdulRazaq, said Kwara is going places with the hub aimed at fostering home-grown innovations and development of local talents in the tech ecosystem.
IHS Nigeria is also working with two programme managers, Co-creation Hub (CcHub) and Future Africa, to facilitate the rollout of programmes aimed at empowering startups, businesses and young innovators with the tools to succeed in the digital economy.
The Managing Director of the hub, Temi Kolawole, said the hub would key into existing programmes of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and run start-up and entrepreneurship programmes.
