Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to turning the state into Nigeria’s leading hub for technology and innovation, as he rewarded outstanding student innovators at the Kwara Futures Exhibition 2025 on Monday in Ilorin.
The event, themed: “Kwara Futures: Empowering a Digitally Ready Generation,” showcased the creativity of young coders and inventors trained under the Kwara Coding and Digital Literacy Programme, a state-led initiative that has trained over 5,604 students across 50 public schools in all 16 local government areas of the state between August 2024 and October 2025.
Governor AbdulRazaq, who presented cash awards to top-performing schools, said the exhibition reflected the government’s strategic vision to build a generation of problem-solvers equipped for the global digital economy.
“Our administration is unwavering in its commitment to transforming Kwara into a beacon of technological excellence and empower our youth to lead the digital revolution.
“For the first time in our state’s history, Kwara is etching its name on the world map of digital startups, thanks to the innovative spirit of our entrepreneurs and the strategic policies we’ve implemented.”
At the exhibition, United Junior Secondary School, Ilorin, emerged overall winner of the 2025 Kwara Futures Innovation Challenge, clinching the N1 million grand prize, while Ilorin Grammar School and Government Girls’ Day Secondary School, Pakata, came second and third respectively N500,000 and N250,000 cash awards respectively.
The student teams presented projects including a Smart School Attendance System, Universal Report Card Generator, Weather Forecast App, Python-Based Banking Simulation Project, Expense Visualiser, and an Igbaja Farm Expense Tracker App – innovations that earned wide accolades from judges and stakeholders.
AbdulRazaq further commended Hon. Kayode Ishola, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Digital Innovations, for leading the programme, describing the initiative as a “legacy project” that bridges the gap between education and opportunity.
“Young techies, your vision is our blueprint,” the hovernor said, stressing, “Together, we’ll ensure Kwara doesn’t just appear on the map we’ll redefine it as a global hub of tomorrow’s solutions. The future is here, and it’s Kwara’s to claim.”
Earlier in his welcome address, Hon. Ishola Kayode said the exhibition represented the fulfilment of the governor’s vision of a “digital Kwara where every child can learn, create, and compete globally.
“When His Excellency approved the pilot phase of the Kwara Coding and Digital Literacy Programme in 2024, it was not merely an experiment; it was a strategic intervention to prepare our children for the future of work,” Ishola said.
He disclosed that over 120 instructors including NYSC members, trained ICT teachers, and digital volunteers had been engaged across the 16 LGAs, with 60 per cent of the participating schools located in rural or underserved communities, helping bridge the urban rural digital divide.
“Students in Baruten, Igbaja, and Ifelodun are now designing animations and simple apps. Girls from Bishop Smith Memorial College developed a learning app for the visually impaired. In Ajase-Ipo, we host classes at ENACT Innovation Hub, built through shared partnerships,” he pointed out.
He also announced the next phase of the programme that would include the expansion to 100 schools, establishment of Innovation Learning Centres across senatorial districts, and launch of ‘Girls Code Kwara’, aimed at increasing female participation in technology to 60 per cent by 2026.
“Kwara is not just catching up. We are setting the pace for what subnational governments can achieve through vision and willpower,” he maintained.
Kwara’s Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe explained that the coding and literacy programme underscores the administration’s deliberate investment in youth development.
“When you look at the budget, the highest we met for education was about 5 per cent. I’m proud to say this administration has raised it to around 14 per cent,” he revealed.
“This shows how much priority the governor places on the future of our young people.”
Other speakers, including the Commissioners for Communications, Business, Innovation and Technology, and Social Development, praised the governor AbdulRazaq ’s efforts in driving innovation and inclusion through education.
Similarly, Mrs. Funmilayo Obi of the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited commended AbdulRazaq for believing in the potential of young Nigerians.
“Your Excellency, you are showing Nigeria and the world that when we invest in our youth, we invest in a future that is timeless, inclusive, and extraordinary,” she said.
Arewa PUNCH reports that the governor’s digital literacy drive supported by partners like IHS Towers, Ilorin Innovation Hub, ENACT Innovation Hub, W.TEC, and KidsTech Africa has positioned Kwara as one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing digital education ecosystems.
