The Kwara State Government in northcentral Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting tech startups and entrepreneurs in building a robust tech ecosystem.
The State Commissioner for Business, Innovation, and Technology, Mrs. Damilola Yusuf-Adelodun, said this on Saturday during the 7th edition of the Kwarabuild Tech Conference, which marked the conclusion of the three-day event held in Ilorin, the state capital.
Eyes locked, minds engaged, and notebooks out, our audience is soaking in every moment of #KBTC24.
Every second is packed with insights, ideas, and value that make their time here truly worthwhile. This is what hunger for growth and impact looks like. #FutureForward pic.twitter.com/6YfoJjQLbp
— KwaraBuild | #KBTC24 (@kwarabuild) November 23, 2024
According to her, the state government has deeply invested in youth development and technological advancement.
She emphasised that the Kwarabuild Tech Conference provided startups with an opportunity to network and grow their businesses.
Mrs Yusuf-Adelodun also reiterated her ministry’s commitment to engaging with tech experts, professionals, and entrepreneurs to address key areas such as funding, policy formulation, and innovative programmes.
The Managing Director of the Ilorin Innovation Hub, Temi Kolawole, lauded Kwarabuild for organising what he described as the largest youth-focused tech gathering in the state.
“The Kwara government consistently supports individuals and groups committed to tackling youth challenges. We are focused on empowering our youth on a massive scale,” Kolawole said.
Panel discussions featured experts such as Engineer Taofik Abdulkareem of Plat Technology Limited, Temi Kolawole of the Ilorin Innovation Hub, and Yahyah Olushola Gegele of Premium Blue Economy Innovation and Investment Limited, where they enlightened participants on exploring opportunities in technology, agriculture, and commerce.
In his opening remarks, Kwarabuild Co-Founder Ibraheem Zulkifli revealed that approximately 1,500 youths from the North Central region and beyond participated in the two-day pre-conference workshop, saying that the training was aimed at fostering technological self-reliance and economic empowerment.
“Our goal is to uncover hidden talents among these participants and equip them with the tools to achieve self-dependence,” Zulkifli stated.
He called for greater collaboration with the state government and key stakeholders to provide easier access to resources for youths eager to escape poverty and unemployment.
Zulkifli added that participants were trained in identifying and solving various technological challenges during the workshop held recently.
He also commended the state government for creating an enabling environment for youth development, saying “Kwara State has never experienced this level of support before. We are truly grateful.”
#KBTC24 was a huge success!
Thank you all for coming out to learn, connect and network.
We are grateful for our amazing sponsors, partners and volunteers.
Glory to God Almighty. #FutureForward pic.twitter.com/VM9oy0LPvY
— Kamaldeen Kehinde (@kenkarmah) November 24, 2024
Another co-founder of Kwarabuild, Kamaldeen Kehinde, highlighted the significance of the event, which he said spared Kwarans the inconvenience of travelling to Lagos or neighbouring states for similar programs.
Adeola Olaleye, an Abuja-based co-founder, noted, “Our platform provides an avenue for youths to discover and harness their talents.”
Participants, including Salahudeen AbdulRauf and Kulepa Boluwatife, expressed gratitude for the program, stating that it significantly improved their knowledge of technology and computer software development.
