By Nedu Okorie.
The Ilorin Innovation Hub has reaffirmed its commitment to positioning Kwara as a hub for technology, innovation, and artificial intelligence in West Africa as it launched the Ilorin Innovation Challenge and Hackathon 2025 with the Hackathon phase concluded on the 5th of November, 2025.
Sponsored by IHS Towers Nigeria in partnership with Co-creation HUB (CcHUB), the three-day event was hosted by the Ilorin Innovation Hub along Ahmadu Bello GRA, Ilorin. It successfully convened young innovators, entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts who collaborated to develop cutting-edge solutions addressing real-world challenges within local communities.
Temi Kolawole, the Managing Director, Ilorin Innovation Hub, while speaking with journalists at the event expressed delight at the diversity of talents competing in the hackathon challenge, adding that the hub hopes to create more creative solutions that seek to drive economic diversification, promote digital inclusion, and create jobs through innovation.
“I will say what we are doing is that we are making the public, especially young people, to realise their potential. To realise that it is possible to succeed using technology. It is possible to bring your ideas to life. We’ve been so amazed to see the kind of talent here. It shows that there are talents everywhere, and that they just need the right opportunity to showcase their talents”, said Kolawole.
Over the past three days, innovators and startups participated in an intensive bootcamp where they refined their ideas, validated their solutions, and pitched before a panel of judges and mentors.Nissi Madu, Managing Partner, CcHUB stated that the essence of the event was to provide access to funding, mentorship, and network for young minds who are passionate about solving problems using innovation and technology.
According to Madu, the “Ilorin Innovation Challenge and Hackathon 2025″ is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem by specifically focusing on early-stage startups and innovators in and around Ilorin. This initiative provides crucial support, offering access to funding, mentorship, and a community network to help participants develop solutions that address some of the region’s most urgent challenges.
While narrating the rigours of selecting young and brilliant minds for the challenge, she disclosed that 28 teams were selected across various states and campuses, adding that at the end of the programme, the top 10 teams comprising 7 idea-stage teams and 3 MVP-stage startups will be selected and awarded with funding worth a total sum of ₦29 million.
‘’The current pitch marks the culmination of a three-month journey that began with a roadshow spanning Abuja, Akure, and Oyo. We visited various campuses, engaging with young people who possessed brilliant ideas for tackling different challenges. This process generated over 500 applications from all over the region.’’
Madu further explained; “So today, we have 17 teams pitching for the Hackathon and 11 teams pitching for the Innovation Challenge. At the end of which we will select 7 of them for the Hackathon and 3 of them for the Innovation Challenge. The Hackathon team will get ₦2 million each and the Startups will get ₦5 million each to be able to help key areas of their business”.
She highlighted the key focus areas where the participating innovators are building solutions to address critical problems in Nigeria and the broader region. These areas, which she expressed excitement about, include AI, fashion, education tech, green technology, health, sustainable energy, logistics, and real estate. “The key thing about these areas is that they address critical challenges and needs within Nigeria and the region at large,” she added.
The Ilorin Innovation Hub continues to serve as a catalyst for technological transformation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic growth.
Sanet Shepperson, Supply Chain Director at IHS Towers Nigeria, stated that the organization’s support for the programme was driven by a commitment to fostering futuristic and solution-driven innovations. IHS Towers Nigeria constructed the world-class Ilorin Innovation Hub infrastructure and is also the Challenge sponsor.
“IHS Towers is deeply invested in Nigerian innovation, which is why we have built and revamped the Ilorin Hub and are sponsoring ongoing projects there. As Shepperson noted, ‘If your phone isworking, it means IHS Towers is standing.’ Our presence here today reflects our commitment to seeking out and supporting the new technologies that will shape the future.”
However she couldn’t contain her joy over the presentations of well curated pitches by the competitors, describing them as world class.
“I am so impressed. I get goose-bumps when I actually hear these people speak. Also their pitches were well prepared. I am pleasantly surprised. Really! You know..I’ve been a judge on many, and I can tell you that what we’re getting presented are world class.
“Over time we need to get more and more people to come to Ilorin with money. Actually to come and invest into the future of the people that are actually these youngsters. They really take my breath away.”
Ms Shepperson also called on the government to improve access to data and digital education which she said often limits innovation and creativity amongst young people.
“Everything you see revolves around data. If the kids do not have access to data, they cannot access the internet and can’t pitch their ideas. It is always the story of how we get more data to the people.
Participants were also not left out. Remy Ajenifuja, Startup founder and CEO, FroNet Wireless Limited, appreciated the organisers for bringing together existing and intending startups to gain mentorship, collaboration, and funding.
“The Ilorin Innovation Challenge is actually a beautiful initiative. The way they brought together existing startups and people who are just entering the startup space and the exposure. The kind of people we came here to work with.
“Our product is internet service. We are trying to get the internet to university campuses across Nigeria, and we’re trying to use renewable energy and a lot of the startups that were brought here are startups who are working on helping Nigeria get into the renewable energy future which helps us as well”.
Ajenifuja also discussed the future plans of the team highlighting their intention to provide affordable internet service to over 2 million University students across Nigeria.
He said; “Our goal till 2030 is to cover all the university students in Nigeria and get them to stay online affordably. There are 2 million University students across Nigeria. We currently serve roughly about a hundred. We want to get with the NCC, TETFUND, NELFUND, and get with NITDA, so we can work together to build the future of African technology.”
Another participant, Aisha Isah, a Mechatronics Engineering student at the Air force Institute of Technology, Kaduna – whose project focuses on using Artificial Intelligence and Smart Technologies in providing automated Irrigation Farming System – also had something to say about the programme.
“The name of our project is GREEN FLOW. An AI smart automated Irrigation system. This programme has taught us how to bring our projects more to life. How to be more specific about the solutions. Our storytelling and a lot of things. So this programme has been an accelerator to advance my project more into the next level.”
Through sustained investment and collaboration, the Ilorin Innovation Hub expressed
determination to continue nurturing a thriving innovation ecosystem that empowers youth and strengthens the State’s position as a leading digital economy in Nigeria and beyond.