Ilorin, Kwara State – Nineteen high-growth startups took center stage at the first-ever Demo Day hosted by IHS Nigeria in partnership with the Ilorin Innovation Hub. The event, themed “The Convergence,” aimed to accelerate innovation and attract vital investment into Nigeria’s burgeoning digital economy.
The showcase brought together a diverse group of investors, venture capitalists, corporate partners, and media representatives, all eager to assess the innovative solutions being developed by emerging startups. These startups are tackling critical challenges across a range of sectors, including agriculture, health-tech, green energy, lifestyle, and digital services.
IHS Nigeria, a leading global provider of shared telecommunications infrastructure and a member of IHS Holding Limited, continues to strengthen its commitment to Nigeria’s digital ecosystem through strategic collaborations. The Ilorin Innovation Hub, a joint venture between the Kwara State Government and IHS Nigeria, launched in February 2025 and provides crucial support to early-stage founders. Its accelerator and incubation programs, managed by Co-creation Hub and Future Africa, offer structured mentorship, access to funding, and valuable market linkages.
The Demo Day served as a comprehensive review of the hub’s first year of operations, highlighting its success in nurturing startups dedicated to developing technology-driven solutions for real-world problems.
“We believe innovation and digital technology are powerful drivers of economic growth and sustainable development,” stated Mohamad Darwish, Chief Executive Officer of IHS Nigeria. “This is why we partnered with the Kwara State Government on the Ilorin Innovation Hub.” He emphasized the impressive quality and diversity of ideas presented, demonstrating the significant potential within Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem when provided with the right support.
Temi Kolawole, Managing Director of the Ilorin Innovation Hub, underscored the platform’s mission to break down geographical barriers to entrepreneurship. “Today, we showcase 19 startups that have proven that combining talent with the right support yields remarkable results,” she said. The hub’s efforts are part of a broader strategy to establish Kwara State as a thriving hub for digital innovation and entrepreneurship.
Attendees expressed considerable optimism that the showcased startups will secure funding, scale their solutions, and forge strategic partnerships to expand their impact beyond local markets. The initiative underscores the ongoing collaborative efforts between the Kwara State Government and IHS Nigeria to bolster Nigeria’s digital economy through innovation infrastructure, robust startup support systems, and strong private-sector partnerships.
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