… Iyin Aboyeji to Discuss Building Innovation Hub at Event Hosted by Ilorin Innovation Hub, Partners
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Ilorin Innovation Hub, in collaboration with IHS Towers, CcHUB, and Future Africa, will host a virtual townhall on Saturday, May 17th, 2025, featuring tech entrepreneur Iyin Aboyeji, co-founder of Flutterwave and Future Africa. The session, themed “Building a Global Tech Hub from Ilorin,”aims to chart pathways for positioning Kwara State’s capital as a nucleus of innovation.
Scheduled for 5:00 PM WAT, the event will explore strategies to leverage local talent, infrastructure, and partnerships to create a globally competitive tech ecosystem. Aboyeji, renowned for his role in Nigeria’s fintech revolution, is expected to share insights on scaling startups, attracting investments, and fostering cross-sector collaboration.
“This townhall is a call to action for stakeholders to unite in transforming Ilorin into a beacon of technological excellence,” organizers stated. Registration is open via https://bit.ly/IIHTownhall.
…Gov AbdulRazaq’s Initiative Expands to Target 7,500 Youths, Boosts Tech Education in Public Schools
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Kwara State has onboarded 5,503 students in its Coding and Digital Literacy Program, marking a significant stride in Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s agenda to position the state as a regional tech hub. Hon. Kayode Ishola, Special Assistant to the Governor on Digital Innovations, disclosed this on Sunday, announcing the program’s expansion to 50 public secondary schools with a revised target of 7,500 students by 2025.
Launched as a pilot in 2024 with 684 students across six schools, the initiative—now the largest state-led digital education program in Nigeria—equips youths with skills in coding, computational thinking, artificial intelligence, and digital literacy using existing school infrastructure. As of April 25, 2025, 73.4% of the target has been met, with participation across senatorial districts: Kwara North (1,222), Kwara South (2,186), and Kwara Central (2,095). Gender inclusivity remains a highlight, with 53.4% female (2,939) and 46.6% male (2,564) trainees.
“The program will resume seamlessly on Monday, May 5, 2025, to deliver future-ready skills as schools begin their third term,” Ishola stated, emphasizing the administration’s focus on making public schools “competitive and desirable” in tech education. Participants will receive Certificates of Participation, while schools get commendations and prompt remuneration for their roles.
The initiative, praised by groups like Women in Tech and KidsTech Africa, aligns with AbdulRazaq’s broader vision as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum. Partnerships with the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Technology, further underscore its cross-sector impact.
“This program is a testament to Kwara’s commitment to innovation and youth empowerment,” the statement added, noting its role in bridging the gap between public institutions and high-cost private tech training.
…Governor Charges Pilgrims to Be Good Ambassadors, Pray for Nigeria’s Peace
Kwara State has officially commenced the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage with the successful airlift of its first batch of 560 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
. The departure ceremony took place at the Babatunde Idi-Agbon International Airport in Ilorin, where a Max Airline flight carrying the pilgrims and two NAHCON officials took off at 12:40 pm local time bound for Medina. All pilgrims from this initial batch have since arrived safely in Medina, as confirmed by an official video release from the state government.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, represented by his Special Adviser and Councillor Alhaji Saadu Salaudeen, addressed the pilgrims before their departure, urging them to serve as worthy ambassadors of both Kwara State and Nigeria during their spiritual journey. The Governor emphasized the importance of maintaining good conduct and peaceful relations with fellow pilgrims while in the Holy Land. He specifically charged the pilgrims to use the opportunity to offer special prayers for Nigeria’s peace and unity, particularly for Kwara State.
The event was attended by key officials including Professor Mashood Mahmood Jimba, Chairman of the State’s Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, and this year’s Amirul-Hajj, the Olupo of Ajase-Ipo Oba Ismail Yahaya Alebiosu. Both leaders joined in advising the pilgrims on proper conduct throughout their pilgrimage. According to Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, Executive Secretary of the Board, a total of 2,174 pilgrims from Kwara State will be transported to Saudi Arabia in four separate flights as part of this year’s Hajj operations. The remaining batches are expected to depart in the coming days, continuing the state’s tradition of well-organized pilgrim transportation.
… Moro LGA Residents Anticipate Economic Boost as Vital Infrastructure Project Reaches Final Stage
The Kwara State Government has announced that construction work on the Buka-Adena bridge along the Jebba-Kaiama road is nearing completion, marking a significant milestone in Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s rural infrastructure development agenda.
The project, initiated in response to longstanding complaints from Moro Local Government Area residents about the bridge’s dilapidated state, is expected to be commissioned in the coming weeks. When operational, the new bridge will serve as a critical link between remote villages and major economic centers in the region.
“This infrastructure represents our administration’s commitment to improving rural livelihoods and stimulating economic growth,” Governor AbdulRazaq stated. “By fixing this vital connection, we’re enabling farmers to transport their produce more efficiently and giving residents better access to essential services.”
The completion of the Buka-Adena bridge is projected to:
Revolutionize agricultural commerce in the region
Reduce transportation challenges for rural communities
Enhance access to healthcare and educational facilities
Boost overall economic activities in Moro LGA
The Buka-Adena bridge forms part of the state government’s comprehensive road rehabilitation program, which has seen numerous critical rural roads reconstructed across Kwara State since 2023.
According to Chief Olayinka Fafoluyi, Senior Special Assistant on New Media to the Governor, the project’s timely completion demonstrates the administration’s responsiveness to community needs and its focus on even development across all parts of the state.
Final touches are currently being applied to the bridge, with official commissioning expected before the peak of the rainy season in June. The project has already begun attracting new economic activities to the area, with several agro-businesses expressing interest in establishing operations in the region.
… Military delegation tours state-owned garment facility as part of study on grassroots intelligence and internal security
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The Kwara Garment Factory in Ilorin on Monday welcomed participants of Senior Course 47 from the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, Kaduna State, as part of their study tour of Kwara State.
Led by Colonel Usman Hashim Muhammed, the delegation comprised senior officers from various branches of the Nigerian Armed Forces and allied nations. They were received by the Managing Director of the factory, Hajia Bukola Adedeji, who guided them through the facility’s operations.
In her welcome remarks, Hajia Adedeji emphasized the factory’s critical role in driving industrialization, creating employment opportunities, and supporting Kwara’s economic diversification agenda. The visitors toured the production line—from fabric cutting to garment finishing—interacting with staff and observing the factory’s modern machinery in action.
The visit also featured the presence of the Permanent Secretary, General Services, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ganiyu Shuaib, who noted that the tour was part of a broader initiative to expose participants to key institutions in the state and expand their understanding of governance and development processes.
Colonel Muhammed commended the state government and the factory management for the warm reception and operational excellence. He said the visit, under the theme “Harnessing Grassroots Intelligence for Enhancing Internal Security,” was designed to explore the intersection of economic development and national security.
He highlighted the factory’s contributions to youth empowerment and poverty reduction through job creation, stressing the value of such initiatives in fostering peace and stability.
Interactive sessions between course participants and factory staff underlined how grassroots economic enterprises can bolster internal security by reducing unemployment and encouraging civic engagement.
The AFCSC delegation was presented with branded souvenirs, including T-shirts and caps, in appreciation of their visit.
… Pensioners in diaspora to complete registration online as Kwara State deepens data-driven planning and social inclusion
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The Kwara State Residents Registration Agency (KWASRRA) has announced that over 350,000 residents have so far been registered in the ongoing statewide data capture initiative, as the government intensifies efforts to build a credible database for improved security, planning, and access to services.
Acting General Manager of KWASRRA, Mr. Tajudeen Jimoh, made this disclosure on Wednesday during the Inter-Ministerial Press Briefing for the first quarter of 2025, organized by the Ministry of Communications and held at the Ministry of Finance in Ilorin.
He said the registration is part of the agency’s core mandate to generate a reliable and comprehensive database of all categories of residents for economic development, effective governance, and social inclusion.
Mr. Jimoh stated that, in line with the directive of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the registration exercise is now mandatory for residents seeking access to key services, including school enrolment and public examinations.
“Students registering for common entrance, junior and senior secondary school exams, and other public assessments must now provide their unique State Security Identification (SSID) numbers. The same goes for parents or guardians, and students admitted into state-owned tertiary institutions,” he said.
The Agency is working closely with relevant Ministries such as Education, Tertiary Education, and Local Government and Community Development to drive compliance across the 16 local government areas.
He further highlighted major achievements within the reporting period, including:
● Expansion of registration centres from 96 to 113 across the state;
● Recruitment of 200 additional ad-hoc registration staff, increasing the workforce to 500 agents;
● Continued distribution of SSID cards across MDAs;
● Strengthened public engagement and improved service delivery through the opening of a permanent consultant office in Ilorin.
To support residents in the diaspora and hard-to-reach areas, Mr. Jimoh also announced plans to expand the agency’s online registration portal to include advanced biometric verification features such as liveness check and face match. This will allow eligible residents—especially pensioners outside the state or abroad—to complete the entire registration process online without the need for physical presence.
“This is a major step to ensure no one is left behind. The effort aligns with our commitment to building an inclusive, secure, and data-informed Kwara,” he added.
He urged residents to embrace the exercise, noting that the SSID will become a key requirement for accessing most government services moving forward.
…Commission targets qualified professionals to boost healthcare delivery across Kwara State
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The Kwara State Civil Service Commission has officially announced a new round of recruitment into the State Civil Service, targeting key positions within the health sector. The announcement was made public today by the Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Hajia Kafayat Imoh.
According to the statement, the recruitment exercise aims to fill limited vacant positions to strengthen healthcare delivery across the state. The available positions include Medical Officers, Staff Nurses/Midwives, Pharmacists, Medical Laboratory Scientists, Medical Records Officers, and Health Attendants.
The Commission has outlined the general requirements for applicants, which include possession of a relevant professional qualification, NYSC certificate (where applicable), higher education and secondary school certificates, First School Leaving Certificate, birth certificate or declaration of age, and proof of citizenship or indigene status.
Interested candidates are expected to submit one copy of their application letter and Curriculum Vitae (CV) in a brown A4-size envelope, addressed to:
The Permanent Secretary Civil Service Commission PMB 1390, Ahman Patigi Road, GRA, Ilorin, Kwara State
Applications must be submitted physically to Room 6 of the Civil Service Commission.
The application window opens on Friday, May 9, 2025, and closes on Sunday, May 18, 2025.
This recruitment initiative reflects the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led administration’s continued investment in strengthening the health workforce and improving service delivery in public health institutions across the state.
For further inquiries, applicants are advised to visit the Civil Service Commission office during official working hours.
…State’s focus on skilled birth attendants, immunisation, and maternal care credited for landmark health achievement
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The Kwara State Government has announced that it currently holds the lowest infant mortality rate in Nigeria, marking a major milestone in its ongoing healthcare reforms.
Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Nusirat Elelu, made this known on Thursday during the First Quarterly Meeting of the Kwara State Task Force on Immunisation and Primary Health Care in Ilorin.
Citing data from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), Dr. Elelu said Kwara recorded just two child deaths per 1,000 live births — the lowest figure in the country.
“This is a direct reflection of improved healthcare delivery in our primary health facilities,” she said. “We have seen increased confidence among mothers who now prefer to give birth at health centres, thereby reducing preventable child deaths.”
Dr. Elelu added that Kwara also leads the North-Central region in the deployment of skilled birth attendants across its primary health centres (PHCs), which has significantly boosted maternal and infant survival rates.
To sustain the momentum, she said the state government has distributed free delivery kits to PHCs across all 16 local government areas and launched a toll-free line to eliminate illegal charges at health centres.
“In addition to safe deliveries, we are making progress in immunisation coverage for children under five. However, we still face resistance from some fathers who prevent their spouses from vaccinating their children,” she noted.
In response, Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi expressed concern over this barrier and pledged that the state would intensify community engagement, especially with men, to ensure full support for immunisation campaigns.
“The government is committed to working with local authorities to engage fathers and husbands on the importance of immunisation and maternal care,” he said.
The meeting also reviewed progress made in improving access to health services and discussed strategies to strengthen outreach to underserved communities.
…Governor AbdulRazaq reinforces commitment to agriculture with large-scale support for farmers across 16 LGAs
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Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Thursday flagged off another phase of machinery and agricultural input distribution to farmers across the 16 local government areas of the state, as part of efforts to enhance food security and rural economic development.
Speaking at the symbolic launch in Ilorin, the Governor — represented by his Senior Adviser and Counsellor, Alhaji Sa’adu Salau — described the gesture as a practical step towards poverty reduction and economic empowerment through agriculture.
“Our administration has consistently prioritised agriculture, not just as a sector, but as a tool to empower our people, strengthen rural livelihoods, and create sustainable jobs,” the Governor said. “What we are flagging off today is another wave of this assistance. More distributions will follow in organised batches, reaching deeper into our communities and reinforcing our shared productivity.”
Thursday’s distribution included 16 additional tractors, ploughs, harrows, and ridgers; 32,000kg (1,600 bags) of maize seeds; 18,000kg (360 bags) of Faro 44 rice seeds; and 10,800kg (270 bags) of TGX 1951 soya bean seeds. Farmers also received 720 sachets of inoculants, 5,040 bags each of NPK and urea, 720 bags of SSP, and various herbicides tailored for specific crops. To enhance chemical application, 2,400 knapsack sprayers were also distributed.
Governor AbdulRazaq highlighted infrastructural gains made in the sector, including rehabilitation of rural roads, investment in irrigation, and support for farmer cooperatives.
“These inputs are not handouts — they are investments in your productivity, your future, and the prosperity of our state,” he told the farmers, urging them to use the resources wisely.
Commissioner for Environment, Nafisat Buge, noted that the intervention falls under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), a World Bank-supported programme.
Chairman of the Kwara State Farmers’ Support and Welfare Association, Abdullahi Ahmed, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude to the Governor for his continued commitment to agricultural growth and food sufficiency.
Dignitaries present included members of the state executive council, local government chairmen, the Emir of Shonga Dr. Haliru Yahaya, APC stakeholders, women groups, and youth representatives.
Kwara State Geographic Information Service (GIS) again wishes to state the following on the proposed pavilion project:
The Service restates that at no time was any approval sought nor any given before the contractor illegally embarked on the construction work at the site. This is a grave offence under the law, which attracts 200% penalty. The Service does not tolerate such behaviour under whatever guise, hence the stoppage of work on the second day it started, February 7, 2025.
The Service hereby acknowledges that it received a set of incomplete documents from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security with a cover letter from the Ilorin Emirates Council. That was a single document out of many others.
Acknowledging that the said proposed pavilion is a constituency project to be funded by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Service had since written to the client Ministry requesting it to supply all relevant documents that ought to accompany the request for statutory approval. This is a matter of law.
The Service’s letter is dated March 12. It was acknowledged by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security on April 7, 2025.
It is not true that the Service has received any further correspondences providing the documents required to process the request for approval. For the avoidance of doubt, the documents being awaited from the client Ministry included (but not limited to): detailed survey plan; locational plan; block plan with detail dimensions, specifications and setbacks to the adjoining roads and properties; site analysis; parking lots plan; sewage system plans; drainage system plans; fire safety plan; storm water management plan; M & E drawings; soil test; environmental management plan; environmental impact assessment; and geophysical examination report.
As of today, Thursday, May 8, 2025, the Service has not received any response from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, or anyone for that matter, furnishing us with the required documents to process the approval.
The Service is not empowered under the law to issue statutory approvals where conditions precedent have not been fulfilled. This is to prevent any untoward happenings afterwards.
Signed:
ESV. Abdulkareem Babatubde Sulyman Executive Chairman, KWGIS May 8, 2025
