What IHS Nigeria CEO, Mo Darwish Said During Ilorin Innovation Hub Program Kick-Off
It is with great pleasure that I address you today as we mark the kickoff of programs at the Ilorin Innovation Hub ahead of the official commissioning of the complex which is slated to happen later in the year. This hub represents a bold step towards fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation, not only in Kwara State but across Nigeria as a whole.
At IHS Nigeria, we believe that connectivity and technology are key enablers of economic growth and societal progress. Our partnership with the Kwara State Government to bring this hub to life 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.
Sitting on over 13,000 sqm land area with an indoor work and event space of almost 3,000 sqm and capacity for over 1000 users concurrently, the Ilorin Innovation Hub is unarguably the largest technology space of its kind in West Africa, and a masterpiece of functional space and design architecture.
The Ilorin Innovation Hub is more than just an edifice; it is an ecosystem designed to nurture creativity, equip young innovators with critical skills, and provide them with the resources they need to build scalable, impactful solutions. Unicorns are emerging globally, so the question to ask is “Why not from Ilorin, Kwara State?”. With state-of-the-art infrastructure, co-working spaces, accelerator programs, and access to mentorship and funding, this hub will serve as a launchpad for groundbreaking ideas that will shape the future of Nigeria’s digital economy.
We are particularly excited about the role of our two program managers, Co-Creation Hub (CcHub) and Future Africa, in driving the implementation of high-impact initiatives within this space. You will get to hear more from them shortly about the planned programs for the hub. Through tailored training, incubation, and accelerator programs, we aim to 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.
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.
Thank you.