As reported by the Kwara State Government Facebook page, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq stated on Tuesday that the nearly completed Ilorin Innovation Hub, a flagship project of his administration, is poised to drive significant technological growth across Africa and create opportunities for millions of young people. The Governor noted that the project has reached 95 percent completion, explaining that the delay was due to a commitment to ensuring adherence to specifications and standards. Governor AbdulRazaq made these remarks during a visit to the project site in Ilorin, the state capital, to assess the progress of the work. He was accompanied by the Managing Director of the Ilorin Innovation Hub, Temi Kolawole.

“Work has reached an advanced stage. I can tell you that once this place is commissioned, it will be (one of) the best in Africa, in terms of building and contents. It will drive growth in the tech space," he told reporters.

"You can have a beautiful building, but if you don't have quality content, you are going nowhere. We have IHS as a partner already. IHS was in Kwara, and by partnering with us, this building is sustainable in terms of operation.

"The facility would also be powered through solar energy to make power sustainable too. So we are on the right path."

AbdulRazaq expressed satisfaction at the level of work done and said the slow pace of work on the project was to also ensure that the hub is competitive in Africa in terms of standards.

“It is taking time, but it is good to get it right; it is also good to have the right partner that will make the place happen,” he said.

“We are in the last mile; everything is almost ready. It is about 95 per cent complete."

Kolawole, for his part, said: “This project will definitely transform the economy of the state because it will bring the globally competitive skills, and the people of Kwara will be merging with the global market."

The Governor also inspected the Kwara Hotels in Ilorin and the access gate of the Government House, both of which are under massive remodelling and reconstruction.