The Ilorin Innovation Hub sited in Kwara State, is the largest of its kind in West Africa, highlighting its potential to drive innovation and digital transformation in Nigeria, according to Mohamad Darwish, CEO of IHS Nigeria.
“Sitting on over 13,000 square meters of land, with an indoor space of roughly 3,000 square meters, this Ilorin Innovation Hub is arguably the largest of its kind in West Africa, if not in Africa outside of South Africa,” Darwish said this on Thursday during the kickoff of programmes at the facility.
Mohamad Darwish, CEO of IHS Nigeria.
“Sitting on over 13,000 square meters of land, with an indoor space of roughly 3,000 square meters, this Ilorin Innovation Hub is arguably the largest of its kind in West Africa, if not in Africa outside of South Africa,” Darwish said this on Thursday during the kickoff of programmes at the facility.
The hub, developed in partnership with Co-Creation Hub (CcHub), Future Africa, and the Kwara State Government, is designed to provide startups and innovators with the resources, mentorship, and infrastructure needed to scale their ideas into viable businesses.
Ilorin Innovation Hub built for growth and innovation
With the capacity to accommodate up to 1,000 people simultaneously, the Ilorin Innovation Hub offers state-of-the-art infrastructure, co-working spaces, accelerator programmes, mentorship, and funding opportunities to support the next generation of African entrepreneurs.
Temi Kolawole, Managing Director of the Ilorin Innovation Hub, highlights the journey behind the project. “This vision was years in the making. There were times we questioned whether it would become a reality, but today, thanks to IHS Nigeria and our partners, we stand here at the largest innovation hub in West Africa. This is more than just a building, it is a launchpad for groundbreaking ideas,” he adds.
Ilorin Innovation Hub to save over ₦2 billion in energy costs
Beyond its scale, according to the promoters, the Ilorin Innovation Hub is also one of the most energy-efficient tech spaces in Nigeria, integrating renewable energy solutions to cut operational costs.
According to Adegbiji, CEO of Geniserve and project manager for the hub, the facility features:
• 631 units of 555-kilowatt solar panels, generating 584 megawatts of annual energy yield;
• A 600-kilowatt-hour battery energy storage system to ensure uninterrupted power supply;
• ₦120 million in annual energy savings, translating to over ₦2 billion in long-term cost reductions.
With a capacity to host 1,000 people simultaneously, the hub is expected to create over 1,000 jobs in the coming years through accelerator programmes, startup incubations, and technology-driven enterprises
A game changer for Kwara and beyond
The launch of programmes at the Ilorin Innovation Hub aligns with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s vision of transforming Kwara into a leading technology and innovation hub, according to the state government.
“Connectivity is key. Very soon, the whole world will hear about Kwara State,” Dr. Mary Ronke Arinde, Kwara State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, says at the event.
With CcHub and Future Africa leading the hub’s programmes, startups will have access to mentorship, research commercialisation, and global networking opportunities.
A Hub for talent development and global impact
Stephanie Okpere, a representative of Co-Creation Hub (CcHub), adds that the hub is committed to nurturing local talent, and transforming innovative ideas into scalable businesses.
She says that CcHub, which operates across multiple African countries, has worked with over 50,000 startups, providing mentorship, expert guidance, and investment opportunities.
“Over the years, we’ve identified key challenges faced by startups including product development, distribution, talent acquisition, and investment and we are bringing our expertise to Ilorin to help innovators overcome these barriers,” Okpere says.
She adds that the hub’s programmes would integrate academia, government, and the private sector, ensuring that research is converted into practical, market-ready solutions that drive economic growth.
Driving job creation and economic transformation
Also speaking at the event, Kazeem Oladepo, Senior Vice President and COO of IHS Nigeria, explains that “this hub will provide young entrepreneurs with the mentorship, training, and infrastructure they need to transform their ideas into successful businesses. We are here to create the next generation of tech leaders.”
Home
