Ilorin Innovation Hub

Ilorin Innovation Hub
IndustryTechnology and Innovation
HeadquartersIlorin,
Kwara State
,
Nigeria
Websiteiih.ng

Ilorin Innovation Hub is a technology and innovation centre located in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. It is a public-private initiative between the Kwara State Government and IHS Nigeria in partnership with Co-creation Hub (CcHub), US Embassy & Consulate in Nigeria, UNDP, Alliance Française and Future Africa and managed by Temi Kolawole.[1][2] [3]The facility, covering over 13,000m2 and accommodating more than 1,000 users, is one of West Africa's largest innovation spaces and was created to develop digital skills, support startups and young innovators, and promote economic growth.[4][5][6]

History

In November 2023, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in November 2023 between Kwara State Government and IHS Nigeria to establish the innovation facility. The hub commenced operations officially in early 2025, launching incubation and acceleration programmes aimed at nurturing digital talents and catalysing economic empowerment in Kwara State.[7][8]

The hub supports national digital initiatives like the 3MTT Learning community and is created in alignment with President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on boosting productivity and job creation through investment in digital infrastructure.[9][10]

Programmes & Activities

The Ilorin Innovation Hub offers a range of structured programmmes delivered in partnership with Co-creation Hub (CcHub) and Future Africa.[8]

Incubation and Accelerator Programmes

These programmes concentrate on areas such as artificial intelligence, agricultural technology, energy innovation, and entrepreneurship. They aim to equip tech startups and innovators with the necessary tools and networks.[11]

The hub supported 19 startups to venture readiness in 2025 [12], and has built a community of over 9,000 members[13][14].

Leadership & Ecosystem Development

In collaboration with her implementation partners (Co-creation Hub Africa and Future Africa); the hub runs Advanced Technical Leadership Training, Corporate Innovation and Accelerator Program, and Ecosystem Development and Mentorship Initiative.[11][10]

Art Hackathon

A pre-launch event in 2024 hosted an Art Hackathon where artists from Kwara State and across Nigeria to submit works around innovation and local development.[15]

It has partnerships on Anchor Tenant (Makers pace) with the UNDP, Alliance franchise, United States Mission Nigeria, CDE, CO-Creation Hub and Future Africa.[16]

Learn2earn NG

Learn2Earn is a, full-stack digital skills and AI program that has partnered with the Ilorin Innovation Hub to train young people in Nigeria. [17]

The Ilorin Innovation Hub serves as the primary regional center for the initiative's bootcamps, and classes. The partnership connects participants directly to global digital opportunities with the following core details: The Training: Participants go through an intensive one-month "Piscine" bootcamp, followed by a transformational digital and software development program lasting over a year. Guaranteed Earnings: The program features a "learn and earn" model that guarantees graduates a job with a minimum salary of $2,000 per month after completing the extensive training. The Process: Prospective candidates play an assessment game on the Learn2Earn NG portal, and upon passing, select the Ilorin Innovation Hub as their preferred learning and training center.[18][19][20][21][22]

IIH Demo Day 1.0: The Convergence

In April 2026, the Ilorin Innovation Hub hosted Demo Day 1.0: The Convergence, showcasing 19 market ready startups from its acceleration and incubation programmes. The event brought together local and international investors, corporate organizations, government representatives and other ecosystem stakeholders, providing participating startups with an opportunity to pitch their ventures and products to potential investors.[23] The startups developed solutions in sectors including healthcare, agriculture, renewable energy, waste management, and digital infrastructure.[24]

Partnerships

The hub was developed in partnership with IHS Nigeria, Co-creation Hub (CcHub), Future Africa.[25] Ilorin Innovation Hub also partnered with the United States Mission to Nigeria.[26] According to U.S. Mission, the agreement marked its first public-private partnership outside the American Spaces Network.[27]

The U.S. Embassy Abuja has signed a three-year MoU with the IIH to Advance AI, STEM education, and tech skills development, strengthening innovation and U.S. Nigeria collaboration.[28][29][30][31][32]

References

  1. ↑ Anthony (2025-02-28). "Kwara, IHS target 10,000 jobs from Ilorin innovation hub". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  2. ↑ pnqbq (2025-03-02). "Ilorin Innovation Hub Goes Live with Program Kick-off". CMC Connect LLP. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  3. ↑ "Ilorin Innovation Hub". Ilorin Innovation Hub. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
  4. ↑ "Challenge Validation". www.ihstowers.com. Archived from the original on 2025-07-16. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  5. ↑ Ibeh, Ifeanyi (2024-08-27). "Ilorin Innovation Hub nears completion, set to transform tech space". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  6. ↑ Yusuf, Ayo (2025-03-03). "IHS Targets More Unicorns, Begins Tech Innovation Programme in Ilorin Hub". This Day. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  7. ↑ Olaiya, Tope Templer (2023-11-23). "Kwara, IHS Nigeria sign MoU to establish technology innovation facility". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  8. 1 2 Okamgba, Justice (2025-03-02). "IHS supports tech innovation drive in Kwara". The Punch. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  9. ↑ Anyanwu, Samuel (2025-05-29). "Tinubu's Renewed Hope: Investing In Nigeria's Human Capital". Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  10. 1 2 Akatakpo, Samson (2025-03-04). "IHS targets 10,000 jobs because it kicks off accelerator packages at llorin Innovation Hub". Business Times Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  11. 1 2 Akintaro, Samson (2025-02-28). "IHS targets 10,000 jobs as it kicks off accelerator programs at llorin Innovation Hub". Nairametrics. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  12. ↑ Gbadeyanka, Modupe (2026-04-20). "19 Startups Pitch Solutions to Investors, Others at Demo Day in Ilorin". Business Post. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2026-07-10.
  13. ↑ Okamgba, Justice (2026-04-20). "Ilorin tech hub courts investors as innovation spreads inland". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2026-07-10.
  14. ↑ Joseph, Blessing (2026-04-23). "IHS Nigeria, Ilorin Innovation Hub Showcase 19 Startups, Drive Investment - MSME Africa". Retrieved 2026-07-10.
  15. ↑ "IHS Nigeria Sponsors the Ilorin Innovation Hub to Boost Technology, Entrepreneurship and Collaboration". IHS Towers Corporate. Archived from the original on 2025-03-15. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  16. ↑ "Ilorin Innovation Hub". ilorininnovationhub.com. Retrieved 2025-10-15.
  17. ↑ "Only eight percent of youth have access to quality tech training – Ogunlade". The Nation Newspaper - Latest Nigeria news update. Retrieved 2026-07-10.
  18. ↑ "Inside Learn2Earn: Iyin Aboyeji's future of tech talent". 2026-05-18. Retrieved 2026-07-10.
  19. ↑ Oboh (2026-06-13). "Ilorin Innovation Hub trains youths to earn $2,000 monthly". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2026-07-11.
  20. ↑ Team, Learn2Earn. "Learn2Earn - Learn to Code, Earn While Learning". Learn2Earn. Retrieved 2026-07-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  21. ↑ "Ilorin Innovation Hub Equips Youths with Digital Skills, Targets $2,000 Monthly Earnings". www.ilorin.info. Retrieved 2026-07-11.
  22. ↑ "Kwara Govt: Ilorin Innovation Hub to create 10,000 jobs - Technology Times | Latest and Breaking Nigeria Tech News". 2024-10-16. Retrieved 2026-07-11.
  23. ↑ Olatunji, Kehinde (2026-05-06). "Kwara emerges new tech frontier as hub, IHS connect startups with investors". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2026-07-11.
  24. ↑ "IHS Showcases 19 Home-grown Startups to Global Investors – THISDAYLIVE". Retrieved 2026-07-11.
  25. ↑ "Eyeing $180bn digital economy with innovation hub". Daily Trust. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  26. ↑ AriseNews (2026-04-24). "US Embassy Signs Tech Partnership With Ilorin Innovation Hub To Boost AI, STEM Growth". Retrieved 2026-07-11.
  27. ↑ Release, Press (2026-04-23). "US Embassy Nigeria launches public-private partnership with Ilorin Innovation Hub". Premium Times. ISSN 2360-7688. Retrieved 2026-07-11.
  28. ↑ "U.S. Embassy Abuja Seals Landmark Tech Partnership with Ilorin Innovation Hub – THISDAYLIVE". Retrieved 2026-07-12.
  29. ↑ Ariemu, Ogaga (2026-04-23). "US Embassy launches public-private partnership with Ilorin Innovation Hub". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2026-07-12.
  30. ↑ Ibrahim, Ochuwa (2026-04-23). "US. Embassy Abuja Seals Landmark Tech Partnership with Ilorin Innovation Hub". News Net Global Ltd. Retrieved 2026-07-12.
  31. ↑ Savinews (2026-04-23). "U.S. Embassy Seals Landmark Tech Partnership With Ilorin Innovation Hub - Savinews Africa". Retrieved 2026-07-12.
  32. ↑ "Technology Archives - U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria". U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria. Archived from the original on 2026-01-08. Retrieved 2026-07-12.
This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.