IHS Nigeria, a subsidiary of IHS Holding Limited (IHS Towers), is sponsoring an Art Hackathon as one of the key events leading up to the opening of the Ilorin Innovation Hub.
According to the telecoms infrastructure company, which manages over 16,000 sites in Nigeria, the Art Hackathon will be a “celebration of creativity and innovation among young enterprising Nigerians.”
Selected artists will receive ₦500,000 each, and their works will be displayed in the hub, serving as a tribute to local innovation and talent. Artists interested in participating can submit their entries online by November 14, 2024.
Speaking about this initiative, Kazeem Oladepo, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of IHS Nigeria, explains that art and technology define and continue to reshape the world we live in. “Today,” Oladepo says, “the rapid expansion of digital technology is changing the art world in new ways, and vice versa, through the advent of innovative digital tools. It is this unique relationship between creativity and science that influenced our decision to include an Art Hackathon leading up to the opening of the Ilorin Innovation Hub. We are proud to work with the Kwara State Government on this initiative, which also aligns with our ambition of promoting local talent and creating opportunities for young people in the region. I look forward to the various expressions of creativity that this event will showcase.”
What the Hub Offers
The 3,000-square-foot Ilorin Innovation Hub is designed as a facility that will provide co-working spaces, incubation and acceleration programs, and access to funding, according to its backers, IHS Nigeria.
The partnership between IHS Nigeria and Kwara State was formalised in November 2023, when a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to kickstart the development of the innovation hub. IHS Nigeria, a part of IHS Holding Limited, is known for its global reach, managing over 40,000 towers across 10 markets including Nigeria, Cameroon, Brazil, Egypt, and Rwanda.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has praised the project, highlighting that it aligns with his administration’s goal of building a robust digital economy in Kwara State.
“Our objectives are to offer the tools, resources, and the environment that innovators and startups require to flourish, especially in the realm of digital and tech skills. By this, we see a future where Kwara sees job creation, poverty reduction, and improved well-being of the people.” AbdulRazaq said during the MoU signing in Ilorin last year.
The partnership, according to the Governor, is mutually beneficial, “IHS is offering technical and organisational support in the operations, maintenance and management of it in exchange for certain benefits such as use and operation of the hub for the delivery of IHS training and ancillary programmes as well as branding rights, among other things.”
“We strongly believe that public private partnership offers the right incentives for sustainability and economic growth. Even so, we are committed to preserving the interest of the people and the state as owners of these investments,” according to the Kwara State Governor.
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