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Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the IHS Nigeria CEO, Mohamad Darwish during the signing of the agreement |
The Kwara State Government has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IHS Nigeria for the development of a technology innovation facility in Kwara State.
In a statement released by the Kwara State Government’s
spokesperson, Rafiu Ajakaye, it said that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq
signed the MoU alongside IHS Nigeria CEO, Mohamad Darwish, at a brief ceremony
attended by several officials in Ilorin, Kwara State on Saturday, November 18,
2023.
The project tagged “Ilorin Innovation Hub” is part of the
Kwara State Government’s efforts to stimulate and deepen the alignment of
technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, investment, and job creation for
young people aged 18 to 35 years old.
Under the Ilorin Innovation Hub project, IHS Nigeria will
provide financial and technical support to complete the building of the Ilorin
Innovation Hub, in addition to operating and managing it for the Kwara State
Government. IHS Nigeria will also deliver various training programmes including
digital skills enhancement, and accelerator programmes for start-ups at the
Hub.
Speaking at the MoU signing, Governor AbdulRazaq reiterated
his administration’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for
technology talent and startups to thrive, and to the continuous stimulation of
digital skills and entrepreneurial capacity amongst young people in the state.
He stated, “What we are witnessing today is an attestation
to the foundation that my administration has laid since we came into office,
which is to build sustainable socioeconomic development and institutional
growth that will reposition Kwara State as the hallmark of innovation.
“I believe that this public-private partnership will deepen
the reforms and investments that we have embarked on in critical sectors like
education, healthcare delivery, infrastructure development, and ICT which are
focused on diversifying our economy.”
IHS Nigeria CEO, Mohamad Darwish, noted that the project
aims to transform Kwara into an economically viable and self-sustainable state,
while promoting digital literacy, technological advancement, and youth
empowerment.
“We are honoured to be part of this project with the Kwara
State Government to develop a facility that seeks to be the largest innovation
centre in Nigeria, both in terms of size and quality of programmes. When
completed, this facility will foster disruptive ideas, research, funding of
innovative solutions, and the development of creative thinking to help solve
business and societal challenges.
“It should provide a space to inspire experimentation and
the exploration of new approaches, and models for product development, service,
technology, and process innovations for young innovators.” he said.
“With the signing of the MOU, the Kwara State Government and
IHS Nigeria are developing a workplan to complete the Ilorin Innovation Hub,
with the key objective of bringing the hub into operation by July 2024,”
Darwish added.
He also recognized the role the Ministry of Communications,
Innovation, and Digital Economy have played in supporting the development of
this innovation hub.
“I also commend Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Honourable Minister of
Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, for creating an enabling
environment for collaborations like these to thrive in this sector.
“Indeed, this continuous support helps ensure that the
communications and ICT sectors, and broader digital economy, develops and
delivers on its desired objective of fostering ideas and innovations, job
creation, economic growth, and the national economic development of the
country,” he said.