Kwara on path to becoming Nigeria’s innovation hub
By Oluwatope Lawanson
Mrs Damilola Adelodun, Commissioner for Business, Innovation, and Technology in Kwara
Mrs Damilola Adelodun, the Commissioner for Business, Innovation, and Technology in Kwara, says the Ilorin Innovation Hub, a state-of-the-art facility is designed to provide a conducive environment for startups, innovators, and entrepreneurs to thrive.
Adelodun said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday.
The commissioner stated that the State Government was poised to become a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in Nigeria
According to her, the ministry is focused on creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, particularly in the areas of innovation and technology.
She explained that the Ilorin Innovation Hub, which is one of the ministry’s flagship projects, provides a conducive environment for startups, innovators, and entrepreneurs to develop their ideas and businesses.
“The hub is equipped with modern infrastructure, including high-speed internet, computers, and other essential tools”.
In addition to the Ilorin Innovation Hub, the ministry is also establishing innovation hubs in other local governments across the state.
“These hubs will provide training programs for young people, particularly those between the ages of three and 18, in areas such as coding, software development, and other tech-related skills.
The ministry had also partnered with various organisations, including IHS Towers, to provide training and support for young entrepreneurs and innovators, she said.
“One of the success stories from these initiatives is a five-year-old boy who learned coding and developed a software programme demonstrating the potential for young people to develop valuable tech skills from an early age,” she said.
The commissioner assured that the ministry’s focus on innovation and entrepreneurship was expected to have a positive impact on the state’s economy and lives of the citizens.
She added that the programmes and initiatives were designed to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and increase the state’s internally generated revenue. NAN
