IHS Nigeria, part of the IHSHolding Limited, one of the largest independent owners, operators, and developers of shared communications infrastructure in the world by tower count, has announced the commencement of incubation and acceleration programs at the newly built Ilorin Innovation Hub, ahead of the official commissioning of the complex later this year.
This technology and innovation center, located in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria, is an initiative of the KwaraState Government, builtand equipped in partnership with IHS Nigeria, who are also operationalizing the facility.
Coveringa land areaof over 13,000 sqm,with seating capacity for over 1,000 users, the Ilorin Innovation Hubis arguablythe biggest technology space of its kind in West Africa andconsidered a masterpiece of functional space and design architecture.The facility has beendesigned and built as an ecosystem to help nurturecreative talents, drive technological innovations,entrepreneurship,and overall economic growth acrossKwara State in particular, and Nigeria in general. It is aligned with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda of investing in thedigital economy to stimulate local industries, enhance competitiveness, increase productivity and provide millions of Nigerians with new skills, as well as long-term employmentand wealth creation opportunities.
As part of theircommitment, IHS Nigeria is working with two program managers, Co-creation Hub (CcHub) and Future Africa, to facilitate the rollout of programs aimed at empowering startups, businesses, and young innovators with the toolsto succeed in the digital economy.
CcHubis a leading pan-African creative and innovation ecosystem enabler. They will design and implement sustainable modelsto help build capacity for innovation, support top innovators and startups in the region, and strengthen the innovation ecosystem, further helpingattractand connect key players.
Future Africa is an innovation fund dedicated to supporting founders who are shaping Africa’s future. They will oversee the implementation of three key programs: Advanced Technical Leadership Training, Corporate Innovation and Accelerator Program; and Ecosystem Development and Mentorship Initiative.
Through the aboveprograms, IHS Nigeriaand the Kwara State Governmentare aiming to help stimulatethe growth of the technological ecosystem in KwaraState and across Nigeria. Together, their visionis that theIlorin Innovation Hub and its programswill help create over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs in Nigeria,focusing on digital skills,artificial intelligence, agricultural technology, and energy innovation.This initiative also complements IHS Nigeria’s ongoing partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy on the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Learning Community, aimed at empowering three million Nigerians with critical digital skills.
In October 2024, the Hub invited young artists from Kwara State and across Nigeria to participate in an Arts Hackathon by submitting art works that resonate with the themes of innovation, creativity, and local community development. The aim was to showcase the unique relationship between creativity and science. Ten artists, whose works were selected from over 250 entries, each received a cash prize of ₦500,000 and will have their artwork displayed inthe Innovation Hub.
Mohamad Darwish,CEO,IHS Nigeria,commented,“I am extremely proud of IHS Nigeria’s role in developing the Ilorin Innovation Hub. This marks another critical milestone in IHS’ efforts to improve the lives of people in our operating communities bysupporting innovation, entrepreneurship, and overall wealth creation in Nigeria. As Nigeria’s backbone of digital possibilities,and an enabler of mobile connectivity, we believe this hub will createopportunities for millions of Nigerians with brilliant ideas looking for the facilities, training, expertise, mentorship and funding support to turn their ideas into viable businesses. Businesses that will contribute to the overall socioeconomic upliftment ofKwara State, and Nigeria more broadly. We are optimistic that this facility willsupport the rise of additional unicorns in Nigeria in multiple sectors,highlighting the depth and resilience of Nigeria’s talent to compete in the global market, akin to how IHS, asa company with roots in Nigeria, has already demonstrated.
