As part of ongoing efforts to build innovation capacity and strengthen entrepreneurship among Nigerian youths, the Ilorin Innovation Hub (IIH) has launched the Innovation Challenge and Hackathon 2025 in Ilorin.
The event aims to provide young entrepreneurs with a platform to showcase their talents while offering support and rewards to promising startups.
Speaking at the event, Nissi Madu, Managing Partner of Co-creation HUB (CcHUB), explained that the programme was designed to strengthen the innovation ecosystem, promote economic growth, and drive job creation.
She added that the initiative would support over 20 innovators and startups, including funding opportunities for the top 10 participants.
“The Ilorin Innovation Hub (IIH) is envisioned as a dynamic catalyst for technological transformation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic growth across Kwara State and the broader West African region.
“With a commitment to fostering local talent and empowering innovative solutions, IIH aims to establish itself as a centre of excellence for digital advancement and socio-economic development.
“To realise this vision, the Ilorin Innovation Hub powered by IHS Towers in partnership with Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB), launched a flagship Hackathon and Incubation Programme to identify and nurture high-potential entrepreneurs and early-stage startups tackling regionally relevant challenges through technology”, she said.
Madu further explained that the programme was structured to discover and accelerate tech-enabled solutions addressing real-world community challenges.
“To achieve this, IIH runs structured support programmes tailored to different stages of the startup journey. The Pre-Incubation Programme (Hackathon) targets early-stage, idea-driven innovators, while the Incubation Programme (Innovation Challenge) supports startups with Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) or early traction.
“The Pre-Incubation Programme guides innovators from idea to validation, building their capacity to design, prototype, and pitch functional MVPs, with clear pathways to incubation, partnerships, or pilot testing.”
Temi Kolawole, Managing Director of the Ilorin Innovation Hub, commended the participants and emphasized the growing opportunities for young Nigerians in the technology space.
“I am excited about the turnout. In Nigeria today, we are witnessing an explosion of technology-driven solutions. Technology has become our new craft and all you need is your laptop and access to digital tools to build something meaningful,” he said.
Kolawole noted that the programme was fully funded and that winners would receive financial and technical support to scale their solutions.
One of the participants, Aisha Issah, shared her experience: “The programme started on November 3rd, and it has been truly inspiring. We were taught how to be strategic and innovative in solving problems, designing smart solutions that benefit not just Nigeria but Africa as a whole.”
The youths showcased their creativity across various sectors, addressing issues such as waste-to-wealth and hygiene, AI in agriculture, redefining campus delivery systems, free-energy electronic tricycles, and smart farming for a sustainable future, among others.
