The Kwara State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting tech startups and entrepreneurs in building a robust technology ecosystem.
The state Commissioner for Business, Innovation, and Technology, Mrs Damilola Yusuf-Adelodun, stated this on Saturday during the 7th edition of the Kwarabuild Tech Conference, which marked the conclusion of a three-day event held in Ilorin, the state capital.
According to Yusuf-Adelodun, the state government has made significant investments in youth development and technological advancement. She emphasised that the Kwarabuild Tech Conference provided startups with a platform to network and grow their businesses.
The commissioner also reiterated the government’s commitment to collaborating with tech experts, professionals, and entrepreneurs to address key areas such as funding, policy formulation, and innovative programmes.
The Managing Director of the Ilorin Innovation Hub, Temi Kolawole, praised Kwarabuild for organising what he described as the largest youth-focused tech gathering in the state.
“The Kwara government consistently supports individuals and groups committed to addressing youth challenges. We are focused on empowering our youth on a massive scale,” Kolawole said.
Panel discussions featured experts such as Engineer Taofik Abdulkareem of Plat Technology Limited, Temi Kolawole of the Ilorin Innovation Hub, and Olushola Gegele of Premium Blue Economy Innovation and Investment Limited.
These experts enlightened participants on exploring opportunities in technology, agriculture, and commerce.
In his opening remarks, Kwarabuild Co-Founder, Ibraheem Zulkifli, revealed that approximately 1,500 youths from the North Central region and beyond participated in the two-day pre-conference workshop.
He said the training aimed to foster technological self-reliance and economic empowerment.
“Our goal is to uncover hidden talents among these participants and equip them with the tools to achieve self-dependence,” Zulkifli stated.
He called for greater collaboration with the state government and key stakeholders to provide easier access to resources for youths eager to escape poverty and unemployment.
Zulkifli added that participants were trained on identifying and solving various technological challenges during the workshop held on Thursday and Friday.
He also commended the state government for creating an enabling environment for youth development, saying, “Kwara State has never experienced this level of support before. We are truly grateful.”
Adeola Olaleye, another Co-Founder, noted, “Our platform provides an avenue for youths to discover and harness their talents.”
Participants, including Salahudeen AbdulRauf and Kulepa Boluwatife, expressed gratitude for the program, stating that it significantly improved their knowledge of technology and computer software development.