Kwara State is making a resounding declaration: it’s ready to be at the heart of Nigeria’s technology revolution. The recently announced Kwara AI Summit 2025, taking place from November 27–28 at the Ilorin Innovation Hub, signals this ambition in no uncertain terms. Organised jointly by the Kwara State Government and the Ilorin Innovation Hub, the summit promises to bring together a powerhouse of partners — institutions such as Lovable, Pastel, Zoho, NCAIR, KWASU, UNDP, and others.
Under the theme “AI in Harmony: Bridging People, Policy, and Possibilities,” the summit underscores Kwara’s strategic approach: building a future in which innovation, regulation, talent, and inclusive development go hand in hand.
Table of Contents
Setting the Stage: Building the Ecosystem
In recent years, Kwara has quietly but steadily been building a tech ecosystem that is ready for lift-off. Through significant investments in digital infrastructure, nurturing the talent pipeline, and fostering grassroots innovation, the state is laying strong foundations.
A central part of this strategy is the Ilorin Innovation Hub. This facility — a public-private partnership between the state government and IHS Nigeria — is one of West Africa’s largest innovation spaces, covering some 13,000 m². With the capacity to host more than 1,000 innovators, it offers incubation, acceleration, and co-creation programmes across AI, agritech, energy, and entrepreneurship.
Leaders like Temi Kolawole, Director of the Ilorin Innovation Hub, observe that the summit is not just a gathering; it is a statement of intent — proof that Kwara is open, inclusive, and aiming for global competitiveness.
Meanwhile, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has doubled down on this vision. He’s emphasised a “catch them young” initiative, pushing to arm youth and students with digital skills — a strategy he believes will anchor Kwara as a future innovation hub.
Four Pillars, One Ambitious Summit
The summit’s agenda revolves around four pillars that are central to its vision:
- People & Talent
- Policy & Governance
- Innovation & Industry
- AI for Development
Sessions will include high-level dialogues, hands-on workshops, hackathons, startup showcases, and collaborative spaces — all designed to forge meaningful connections among policymakers, developers, students, investors, and grassroots innovators.
Crucially, the event is free and open to everyone, reinforcing Kwara’s commitment to accessibility and inclusive growth.
Through these pillars, the summit aims to sharpen Kwara’s profile as a rising AI hub — one that doesn’t just talk about innovation, but practices it, aligns it with governance, and channels it toward development.
The Promise and the Path Forward
This is more than just a conference — it’s a symbol of Kwara’s emergence as a force in Nigeria’s digital future. By convening experts and stakeholders across sectors, the state is positioning itself as a cradle for responsible, talent-driven AI adoption.
The timing aligns with other bold initiatives: earlier in the year, the Kwara government partnered with Digital Equity Africa to train 200 pupils in AI through the “Future Minds Independence AI Bootcamp.” These young participants — aged between primary and junior secondary school — built websites, generated stories, and even composed music with AI.
Tech thought leaders in Kwara also argue that AI will expand, not eliminate, economic opportunities. Professor Abiodun Aibinu, a mechatronics expert, says AI is not a job-killer but a gateway to new industries — from precision agriculture to surveillance for small-scale farming.
Governor AbdulRazaq’s vision adds a social dimension too: his administration plans to scale up digital literacy with proposals like “Girls Code Kwara” to boost female participation in tech to 60% by 2026.
If the summit succeeds as planned, Kwara could well affirm its place as Nigeria’s next big tech powerhouse, proving innovation is not the preserve of Lagos or Abuja. By aligning policy, talent, and infrastructure, the state is not just talking about the future — it’s building it.
Conclusion
As the countdown to Kwara AI Summit 2025 continues, all eyes are on Ilorin. For many, this is more than just a regional tech gathering — it might just be the spark that ignites Kwara’s transformation from a quiet innovator to a national tech heavyweight.
Join Our Social Media Channels:
WhatsApp: NaijaEyes
Facebook: NaijaEyes
Twitter: NaijaEyes
Instagram: NaijaEyes
TikTok: NaijaEyes
