The Kwara State Government has announced that the Ilorin Innovation Hub is set to create 10,000 jobs within the state to enhance technology and entrepreneurship growth.
Damilola Yusuf Adelodun, Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology, Kwara State disclosed this during the second quarterly inter-ministerial press briefing organised by the Communication Ministry in Ilorin.
The Commissioner highlighted the role of the Business, Innovation and Technology Ministry in promoting technological advancement through innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology across the state.
“This ICT hub is expected to create 10,000 job opportunities for youths and serve as a central facility for technological development across the state,” according to Adelodun, who adds that the initiative for the hub “aligns with Gov. AbdulRazaq’s vision of transforming Kwara into a technological powerhouse.”
Commissioner: Ilorin Innovation Hub to serve as central facility for tech development in Kwara
Adelodun said that the Ilorin Innovation Centre, set to begin operations in 2025, is a key initiative in realising the vision of the Kwara State Government.
“This ICT hub is expected to create 10,000 job opportunities for youths and serve as a central facility for technological development across the state,” according to Adelodun, who adds that the initiative for the hub “aligns with Gov. AbdulRazaq’s vision of transforming Kwara into a technological powerhouse.”
The centre will focus on driving technological growth while fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among young people in Kwara State. According to the Commissioner, this matches the ministry’s responsibilities, which include “supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), advancing digital transformation, and creating programmes to stimulate economic development.”
In the same briefing, Adelodun announced that the Ministry, in collaboration with Kwara State University, is working on converting gasoline vehicles to electric vehicles, stating that a successful bus conversion is currently undergoing testing before being handed over to the state government.
The conversion is part of a “broader vision” to reduce carbon emissions and embrace green energy, the Commissioner said while explaining that more buses will be added by the end of the year. “This initiative positions Kwara as a leader in adopting sustainable transportation solutions, thereby opening doors to further investments in the electric vehicle industry.”
The Commissioner also noted that the Ministry has embarked on other successful projects that have driven entrepreneurship growth within the state. These include the Kwara garment factory, which utilises advanced technological tools, features an online portal for citizens to seek jobs, and has employed over 300 locals; the Kwara Sugar Film Factory, which boasts cutting-edge facilities and technology, generating 100 direct and 500 indirect jobs and will host the 2024 Best of Nollywood Awards; the Ilorin International Conference Centre; and the construction of modern facilities like the ICT Hub in Shonga.
These projects undertaken by the Ministry and state government will build the commercial and industrial sectors of the state, promote advancement, attract investors, and improve the living standards of the state’s citizens, the Commissioner said.
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