However, even the most skilled graduates still find themselves endlessly job hunting. Lagos, the supposed land of opportunities, is overcrowded, and the dream of building a successful startup in Nigeria sometimes feels like chasing shadows.

But what if the next big thing in African tech wasn’t from Lagos or Abuja—but from Ilorin?

Well, the Ilorin Innovation Hub, a 13,000-square-metre tech centre is coming to change the story. Driven by the Kwara State Government in partnership with IHS Nigeria, this facility is not another government project that looks good on paper—it’s designed to create 10,000 jobs, incubate startups, and provide young innovators with the tools they need to build global businesses.

With the commencement of incubation and acceleration programs announced on Thursday, 27 February 2025, the hub has been described as the largest of its kind in West Africa, with a 3,000-square-metre indoor workspace capable of accommodating over 1,000 concurrent users. 

For a state that has long been overshadowed by bigger commercial hubs, we hear the message—Ilorin is getting ready to compete globally.

With innovators like CcHub and Future Africa appointed to lead incubation initiatives, and the government slashing internet costs to attract digital businesses, Kwara State seems serious about becoming a tech giant.

So, could the next Nigerian unicorn be born in Ilorin? If this hub fulfils its promises, the answer might just be yes.

“Why Not a Tech Unicorn from Ilorin?” – IHS Nigeria CEO Challenges Innovators

In his address, Mohamad Darwish, CEO of IHS Nigeria, explained the technological growth and economic opportunities the hub will bring:

“This hub represents a bold step towards fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation, not only in Kwara State but across Nigeria as a whole,” Darwish stated.

He noted IHS Nigeria’s focus on digital infrastructure development, stressing that the hub is not just an edifice, but an ecosystem designed to promote creativity, train young innovators with skills, and provide access to funding and mentorship.

“Unicorns are emerging globally, so the question to ask is ‘Why not from Ilorin, Kwara State?’” Darwish stressed.

With a vision to generate over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs across sectors such as digital skills, agricultural technology, and energy innovation, Darwish affirmed IHS Nigeria’s goal to empower young entrepreneurs to build globally scalable solutions.

Government Endorsement: “The World Will Soon Hear of Kwara State”

Representing the Kwara State Government, Dr Mary Ayinde, commissioner for Tertiary Education, spoke on the prospects of the Ilorin Innovation Hub.

“This is another giant stride of His Excellency, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. Kwara State is going places, and the world will soon hear of Kwara State,” she said.

The state government had slashed the cost of right-of-way fees for fibre optic installations, reducing limitations for internet service providers (ISPs) and making connectivity more affordable for residents. 

As a result, Kwara now has a low-cost, high-speed internet infrastructure, making it attractive for businesses and technology-driven enterprises.

Ayinde stressed the importance of connectivity in driving economic development, adding that the state is committed to ensuring that the hub serves as a launchpad for the next generation of Nigerian innovators.

Future Africa and CcHub to Lead Implementation of High-Impact Initiatives

IHS Nigeria has partnered with two renowned programme managers—Co-Creation Hub (CcHub) and Future Africa—to implement incubation and accelerator programmes designed to groom startups, businesses, and young innovators.

Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, co-founder of Andela and Flutterwave and founding partner at Future Africa, described the hub as the “seed of a new generation of billion-dollar businesses.”

“I recruited Kwara State as my top recruiting ground for Andela, a company that builds and deploys talent all over the world,” Aboyeji noted.

He affirmed that the Ilorin Innovation Hub would help in creating sustainable infrastructure, with a focus on agriculture, energy, and digital connectivity.

“We are here to work with entrepreneurs to build globally scalable businesses. The billion-dollar businesses of the future will move up from here,” he added.

Stephanie Okpere, design lead at CcHub, reaffirmed the organisation’s focus on supporting the hub’s research and entrepreneurship initiatives.

“In the last 15 years, CcHub has worked with over 50,000 startups, and we have the expertise to drive innovation at this hub,” she said.

She outlined plans for mentorship, talent development, and partnerships with universities, ensuring that the hub will serve as a pipeline for young innovators into the global tech space.

Ensuring Technological Advancement and Sustainable Infrastructure

The Ilorin Innovation Hub is being built with cutting-edge infrastructure designed to support innovation at a high scale. Features include:

• 13,000-square-metre campus with a 3,000-square-metre indoor work and event space
• Capacity for over 1,000 concurrent users
• Dedicated co-working spaces, conference halls, and an IHS Lounge
• High-speed connectivity for seamless digital collaboration

With a focus on sustainability, the hub will be powered by a solar energy system comprising 681 units of 5-kilowatt solar panels, generating approximately 584 megawatts of energy—enough to power 200 three-bedroom flats.

Added to these, the facility will include 600 kilowatt-hours of battery energy storage, ensuring an uninterrupted power supply. This solar-powered system is projected to save over ₦2 billion in energy costs over time.

The hub’s cooling system, featuring 96 DS cooling units, will be solar-powered, with the capacity to sustain up to eight four-bedroom flats, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

Recognising the challenge of infrastructure maintenance in Nigeria, the project team has developed a solid facility management strategy to ensure the hub remains in pristine condition for years to come.

Measures will include:

• Regular audits and assessments
• Comprehensive cleaning and equipment servicing
• Long-term sustainability planning

The official commissioning of the Ilorin Innovation Hub is scheduled to take place later this year.

These appointments reflect the NESG’s steadfast dedication to promoting visionary leadership and strengthening partnerships with key business leaders and private sector stakeholders. The addition of these accomplished professionals is expected to drive strategic initiatives aimed at transforming and advancing Nigeria’s economic landscape.

Wole Adeniyi is the Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic IBTC Bank Ltd and is responsible for driving the institution’s strategy across her Technology, Digital Transformation, Corporate & Investment Banking arm, and Retail banking arm. Before assuming this role, he was the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Bank.

Until July 2020, he was Executive Director of personal and business banking retail and commercial banking business of Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC that covers personal banking, including private banking, business (sole proprietor to SME) and commercial segments.

Until November 2018, Wole was Executive Director, Operations responsible for Operations, Group Real Estate Service and Procurement and Business Transformation Program for the Bank.

Before this appointment, he served as Executive Director of Business Support until November 2011. Wole has a wealth of banking experience spanning almost three decades in technology & digital transformation, domestic and international banking operations, program management, and retail banking.

He is credited with formulating and deploying strategies to help turn around Stanbic Bank Nigeria’s Operations and Technology.

Wole sits on the Nigeria-Interbank Settlement System PLC (NIBBS) board. He holds a first-class degree in Business Administration from the University of Benin and an MBA in Business Administration from the University of Manchester. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation and a Certified Information Systems Auditor.

Mohamad Darwish has over 20 years of experience working in the telecommunications sector and is IHS Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, overseeing IHS Tower’s largest market.

Mohamad Darwish has worked in various finance and technical functions and served as the Business Development Director and Deputy CEO before becoming the CEO of IHS Nigeria.

Mohamad is responsible for leading the team committed to growing IHS Nigeria’s operations and further strengthening its position as the leading tower company in Nigeria. He oversees the development of the IHS Nigeria strategic plan and the rollout of new sales strategies and manages key relationships with clients, regulators, ministries and NGOs.

As a member of the IHS Finance and Banking, Risk Management, Ethics, and Compliance committees, Mohamad also focuses on defining IHS Towers’ strategic plans on a group level while ensuring full compliance with international standards and best practices.

Mohamad is deeply committed to initiatives and programs that position African countries globally, inspire long-term economic growth, and promote sustainable business behaviour.

Mohamad holds a Master of Engineering in Applied Operation Research from Cornell University, a Master of Business Administration with Honours from Rollins College, and a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from the American University of Beirut.

Olusegun Alebiosu was appointed the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank of Nigeria Limited in June 2024. In addition to this role, he serves as a Non-Executive Director of FirstBank UK, further solidifying his leadership presence across the group’s international operations.

With over 28 years of experience in the Banking and Financial Services industry, Olusegun has demonstrated exceptional expertise and leadership in various roles. Between 2016 and 2024, he served as Executive Director, Chief Risk Officer, and Executive Compliance Officer at FirstBank.

His professional experience spans various disciplines, including credit risk management, financial planning and control, trade, corporate and commercial banking, agriculture financing, oil and gas, transportation (aviation and shipping), and project financing.

An accomplished academic, Olusegun is an alumnus of Harvard Business School, where he completed the Advanced Management Program and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial relations and Personnel Management and a master’s in international law and diplomacy from the University of Lagos.

Additionally, he earned a master’s degree in development studies from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Beyond the boardroom, Olusegun is an avid golfer and adventurer. He is happily married and a proud father, balancing his professional achievements with a fulfilling personal life.

This collaboration aims to enhance energy access in underserved communities across Nigeria, while contributing to IHS’ broader efforts to reduce the environmental footprint of their operations. 

The partnership is a testament to both companies’ commitment to sustainability and innovation, highlighting their shared vision of providing essential services to underserved communities.

Jaza Energy, known for its innovative approach to clean energy access, will install solar-powered hubs, known as Jaza Hubs, at 250 IHS Nigeria sites in Nigeria. These hubs not only provide clean energy to help power the towers, but also offer a more sustainable energy source for local communities. 

The excess power generated by the solar panels on these hubs will be used to charge battery packs for local households and businesses, reducing reliance on diesel generators.

Closely aligned with this partnership’s sentiment is IHS Towers’ Project Green initiative. The initiative involves an investment of over $200 million between 2022 and 2024, as part of IHS Towers’ Carbon Reduction Roadmap and target to reduce kilowatt-hour emissions intensity by approximately 50% by 2030.

“Sustainability is a core value at IHS Towers. Project Green is part of our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint. This partnership with Jaza Energy complements this initiative, as we seek to integrate more solar solutions on our sites, and simultaneously help support local communities. In this case, by helping Jaza Energy provide more local households with access to battery packs for domestic use, as substitutes for diesel-powered generators.” stated Mohamad Darwish, CEO of IHS Nigeria.

The impact of the Jaza Hubs extends beyond providing power. Each hub acts as a one-stop energy shop, offering a vital service to communities that have traditionally lacked access to reliable electricity.

Jaza Energy’s unique model helps foster community development by employing local women to operate the hubs. This approach not only provides job opportunities, but also helps empower women within these communities, fostering local economic growth and social inclusion.

To date, Jaza Energy has delivered over 3 million solar battery swaps and reached more than 100,000 people in Tanzania and Nigeria with its clean energy solutions.

The company’s expansion into Nigeria, supported by its partnership with IHS Nigeria, is expected to reach approximately 200,000 more people by the end of 2025, bringing clean, renewable energy to some of the most underserved areas in Nigeria.

“By partnering with IHS Nigeria, Jaza will extend the reach of clean energy even further, building upon IHS Nigeria’s foundational role in connecting the nation. We are thrilled to collaborate with a company dedicated to sustainability, and we look forward to aiding IHS Nigeria’s journey towards a greener future.” said Jeff Schnurr, CEO of Jaza Energy.

IHS Towers has a track record of promoting sustainable energy solutions. The company’s efforts go beyond its current Project Green and comprehensive approach to reducing its carbon footprint.

Prior to Project Green, IHS Nigeria had already deployed hybrid power systems on over 9,000 sites across Nigeria between 2016-2018. By integrating solar power with traditional energy sources, these systems have helped reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources. 

Beyond Jaza, as part of its commitment to community support, IHS Nigeria has implemented various initiatives to provide reliable power to local communities and essential services.

For instance, in 2022, the company donated 106 units of solar-powered streetlights across three Nigerian states, benefiting approximately 510,000 residents. 

The company also takes an active role in environmental stewardship and education. Through its Clean Air Campaign, launched in 2022, IHS Nigeria collaborated with external stakeholders to help address emissions.

Through media channels, IHS Nigeria sought to raise awareness about the importance of reducing air pollution and the role of sustainable energy solutions in achieving this goal.

IHS Nigeria also established an Energy Hub in Alimosho, Lagos State, a well-equipped space for entrepreneurs to develop innovative ideas and solutions that seek to contribute to the nation’s energy efficiency goals.

This hub serves as a focal point for energy-related innovation, providing a platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing among industry experts, entrepreneurs, and the broader community. 

The partnership between IHS Nigeria and Jaza Energy is more than just a business collaboration; it is a shared commitment to creating a sustainable and inclusive future.

By prioritising energy efficiency and embracing renewable sources such as solar power, both companies are helping pave the way for a brighter and more sustainable future.

The projected emissions reduction of approximately 32,600 – 33,000 tonnes of CO2e over the seven-year agreement, from the 250 hubs, is a step towards achieving Nigeria’s environmental goals.

In an era where access to reliable and clean energy is crucial for development, the IHS Nigeria and Jaza Energy partnership represents a model for how private sector collaboration can drive positive change.

Through a strategic partnership with UNICEF that began in 2019, IHS Nigeria, part of the IHS Towers group, is making a significant and measurable difference to the lives of Nigerians, particularly in the crucial areas of education, healthcare, and community development.

This collaboration transcends mere business operations, demonstrating a deep-seated commitment to the nation.

Bridging the Digital Divide: Empowering Schools and Students

One of the most impactful initiatives is the School-to-School Connectivity project, launched in 2022 by UNICEF.

As a collaborator in this project, IHS Nigeria is on a mission to help bridge the digital divide in education by providing internet connectivity to over 400 public secondary schools and donating more than 200 mini-tablets to schools across underserved communities.

Unlocking new learning resources is key, and through this project, students gain exposure to online educational materials, interactive learning platforms, and valuable digital tools.

This complements the Nigeria Learning Passport, a vital online and offline curriculum application currently reaching approximately 1 million users, designed by UNICEF in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education.

Saving Lives: a Multi-Pronged Approach to Covid-19

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, IHS Nigeria played a vital role in supporting national response efforts. Their contributions included:

• Essential supplies: In collaboration with the European Union and APM Terminals, IHS Nigeria co-financed the acquisition and delivery of 10,000 test kits, 15 oxygen concentrators, personal protective equipment (PPE), vaccines, and other vital health supplies to support the Nigerian government through the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). This comprehensive approach helped address critical needs for testing, treating and protecting frontline healthcare workers.

• Expanded testing capacity: Recognizing the importance of widespread testing, IHS Nigeria further collaborated with UNICEF to supply over 130,000 test kits. This significantly increased testing capacity, facilitating the early detection and isolation of cases to help curb the spread of the virus.

“I am immensely grateful for the robust partnership between UNICEF and IHS Nigeria, which has contributed to significant results for children. Our collaborative projects, including the critical oxygen support program, comprehensive COVID-19 interventions, enhancing school connectivity, and the Child-Friendly Communities Initiative (CFCI), have all been pivotal in advancing our mission. Together, we are making substantial strides towards sustainable development and a brighter future for all” –Ms Cristian Munduate, Representative, UNICEF Nigeria. 

Strengthening Healthcare Through an Oxygen Security Project 

Nigeria faces a continued challenge in the availability of medical oxygen, and to help address this, IHS Nigeria is an active partner of UNICEF Nigeria’s Oxygen Security Project. Launched in 2022, this project is supporting the Federal Ministry of Health and has seen the construction of nine Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) oxygen plants across the following states: Ogun, Oyo, Kano, Bauchi, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Cross River, and Rivers. These plants aim to ensure a reliable supply of medical oxygen, impacting healthcare facilities’ ability to provide life-saving treatment.

Recognizing the importance of skilled personnel, the project has also trained over 1,445 frontline healthcare workers in oxygen management.

This comprehensive approach ensures not only the availability of oxygen, but also the proper knowledge and expertise to utilise it effectively, ultimately saving lives and improving healthcare outcomes for countless Nigerians.

As an example, the plants installed at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Ogun State, are designed to target a population of around 1.6 million with an average weekly utilisation volume of approximately 4,000 liters.

Empowering Communities: Child-Friendly Community Initiative (CFCI)

Collaboration between IHS Nigeria and UNICEF has extended beyond schools and hospitals and into the broader community.

Between 2019 and 2022, the Child-Friendly Community Initiative (CFCI) brought together local stakeholders, including community leaders, youth groups, and women’s organisations. Piloted in Lagos, Bauchi, and Cross River States, CFCI served as a model for community-driven development.

CFCI aimed to empower local communities and community leaders to own and drive the delivery of integrated child-centric social services including education, health, and nutrition. The initiative has successfully established elements of decentralised planning and resource management to address child deprivation.

Furthermore, the project used Digital Community Information Systems (DCIS) which collected real-time data on various child-related issues to guide local decision-making.

Using this data, communities were able to target resources effectively, ensuring interventions were aligned to specific, local needs.

This data-driven approach fostered greater efficiency and maximised the impact of available resources on the well-being of children.

A Global Commitment: Partnering with Giga to Map School Connectivity

Furthermore, IHS Towers has taken a global approach to bridging the digital divide in education. It is a key partner in Giga, a global initiative launched by UNICEF and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) that aims to map and connect every school in the world to the internet by 2030. Alongside a $4.5 million investment, IHS Towers is providing vital tower data, including in respect of its Nigerian operations, to help Giga create a comprehensive map of internet connectivity. This data is crucial for identifying areas with critical gaps in infrastructure, paving the way for targeted interventions and ensuring no child is left behind in the digital age.

The IHS Nigeria and UNICEF partnership transcends individual projects, presenting a successful model for public-private collaboration.

By combining resources and expertise, they are achieving tangible results in education, healthcare, and community development.

This successful model demonstrates the power of collaboration between the private sector and international organisations.

“At IHS Nigeria, we strive to deliver long-term positive impact across our local communities. Through strategic sustainability partnerships, we continue to contribute to Nigeria’s socio-economic development, with a strong focus on education, healthcare, and community empowerment. We take great pride in collaborating with UNICEF Nigeria and remain committed to fostering a brighter future for Nigeria” – Mohamad Darwish, CEO, IHS Nigeria.