IHS Nigeria, a leading communications infrastructure company, has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering technological innovation and job creation through its partnership with the Kwara State Government on the Ilorin Innovation Hub. The initiative is expected to generate over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs, positioning Kwara as a major player in Nigeria’s digital economy.
During a press conference on February 27, IHS Nigeria’s CEO, Mohamad Darwish, announced the commencement of incubation and acceleration programs at the newly built facility. He emphasized that the hub was designed to nurture creative talents, drive technological innovation, and fuel entrepreneurship and economic growth in Kwara State and beyond.
Darwish highlighted that the Ilorin Innovation Hub aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on investing in the digital economy to:
Enhance local industries and competitiveness
Increase productivity
Provide millions of Nigerians with digital skills and employment opportunities
To achieve this vision, IHS Nigeria has partnered with two renowned innovation enablers:
Co-creation Hub (CcHub) – A leading pan-African technology ecosystem builder that will drive sustainable innovation, support startups, and attract key industry players.
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Future Africa – An innovation fund focused on supporting African founders. It will oversee three major programs:
Advanced Technical Leadership Training
Corporate Innovation & Accelerator Program
Ecosystem Development & Mentorship Initiative
Building Nigeria’s Next Tech Giants
The Ilorin Innovation Hub, spanning over 13,000 sqm with a seating capacity for over 1,000 users, is now recognized as West Africa’s largest technology space. The facility is expected to retain tech talents in Kwara State, rather than losing them to Lagos, creating a robust innovation ecosystem within the state.
Darwish noted that IHS Nigeria is also working with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy to support the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Learning Community, aimed at training three million Nigerians in critical digital skills.
“This hub will provide world-class facilities, training, mentorship, and funding to turn innovative ideas into scalable businesses, fostering Nigeria’s next generation of tech entrepreneurs,” Darwish stated.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mary Ayinde, Kwara State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, expressed the state’s commitment to building an innovation-driven economy. She noted that the hub will serve as a launchpad for new businesses, driving job creation and economic transformation in Kwara.
Similarly, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Founder of Future Africa, emphasized the importance of the hub in retaining local tech talents. He noted that many successful tech entrepreneurs from Kwara have previously relocated to Lagos, but with the hub, they now have the opportunity to build and grow their ventures locally.
IHS Nigeria’s investment in the Ilorin Innovation Hub is a game-changer for Nigeria’s tech industry. By providing startups and entrepreneurs with the right tools, funding, and mentorship, the hub is expected to birth the next generation of Nigerian unicorns, driving economic growth and positioning Kwara as a key innovation hub in Africa.
