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…Positions as Nigeria’s next tech powerhouse
By Chinelo Obogo
Kwara State is stepping forward as Nigeria’s next major force in technology and innovation with the official announcement of the Kwara AI Summit 2025, scheduled to take place from November 27–28, 2025 at the Ilorin Innovation Hub in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Organised by the Kwara State Government and the Ilorin Innovation Hub, in partnership with leading technology and development institutions, the summit is set to be a defining moment in Nigeria’s AI and digital transformation landscape.
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With the theme “AI in Harmony: Bridging People, Policy, and Possibilities,” the Summit reflects the state’s bold ambition to lead national conversations on artificial intelligence and position itself as a strategic hub where policy, talent, innovation, governance, and economic opportunity seamlessly converge. Kwara has, in recent years, emerged as one of Nigeria’s fastest-rising innovation centres, quietly building capacity, investing in digital skills, strengthening youth talent pipelines, expanding technology infrastructure, and nurturing an ecosystem that is increasingly attracting startups, investors, and industry leaders.
As Nigeria explores how AI can shape its socio-economic future, Kwara offers a unique value proposition: an environment where government support, academia, industry, and grassroots innovation intersect. The Ilorin Innovation Hub has become a catalyst for tech-driven growth in the state, reinforcing Kwara’s readiness to host a summit that brings together AI professionals, policymakers, developers, researchers, founders, students, investors, startups, and members of the public eager to understand AI’s real-world potential.
The Kwara AI Summit 2025 will be driven by four key pillars; People and Talent, Policy and Governance, Innovation and Industry, and AI for Development. Through high-level conversations, hands-on workshops, exhibitions, hackathons, startup showcases, and collaborative sessions, the event aims to strengthen Kwara’s position as an emerging AI hub in Africa, ignite policy-shaping discussions on safe and inclusive AI adoption, connect government with academia and the private sector, empower startups and innovators with visibility and opportunity, and deliver real, practical learning experiences for participants.
Speaking on the significance of this moment for the state, Temi Kolawole, Director of the Ilorin Innovation Hub, said: “Kwara has spent the past few years laying the foundation for a bold digital future, and the Kwara AI Summit 2025 is a reflection of how far we’ve come. This summit is more than an event, it’s a statement of intent. We are building an innovation ecosystem that is open, inclusive, and globally competitive, and we are excited to welcome the world to Ilorin to experience the new possibilities emerging from our state.
“We thank God for Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq’s commitment in making Kwara a true technology hub in Africa. Artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries across the globe, from health, agriculture, governance, and creative industries to education, finance, making it essential for Nigeria to adopt AI responsibly and strategically. The summit will serve as a platform to explore how AI can power inclusive development, economic expansion, and talent growth across the country. Kwara’s commitment to digital transformation, youth empowerment, and innovation makes it the ideal setting for a conversation of this scale and importance. Participation in the Kwara AI Summit 2025 is completely free and open to all, underscoring the state’s commitment to accessibility and inclusive capacity-building.”
