The Kwara State Government has revealed that four out of ten projects under the supervision of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Technology have been completed in the 4th quarter under review. These projects include the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Innovation Hub, the conversion of Gasoline-Powered Vehicles to Electric Vehicles, the Garment Factory, and the Sugar Film Factory.

The Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology, Hon. Damilola Yusuf Adelodun, made this announcement while presenting the remarkable achievements of the State Government in the Ministry at the 4th quarter Inter-Ministerial Press Briefing organized by the Ministry of Communications, held at the conference room of the Ministry of Finance.

The Commissioner added that the ICT Innovation Hub is ready for commissioning and the conversion of gasoline-powered vehicles to electric vehicles, which has been completed and tested, was executed in collaboration with Kwara State University, Malete, awaiting official handing-over, which is scheduled for January, 2025, saying that the groundbreaking initiative is expected to encourage widespread adoption of electric vehicle conversions across government offices and individual users.

Hon. Damilola noted that over 300 individuals have been trained at the Kwara State Garment Factory in year 2024, creating employment opportunities and producing quality clothing materials, while the Sugar Film Factory has hosted the first-ever Best of Nollywood Awards in November, 2024, a milestone that attracted significant partnerships and proposals from the entertainment industry.

The Commissioner mentioned other six ongoing projects such as Ilorin International Conference Centre, which features a main auditorium with a capacity of over 1,500 people and additional rooms for 400, explaining further that the facility is expected to host large exhibitions and conferences, foster business growth and economic development.

She added that the remodeling and rehabilitation of Kwara Hotel, which began in January, 2024 and at 50% completion, is another vital project, with 119 rooms, disclosing that the hotel will complement the International Conference Centre in promoting Kwara State as a hub for business and tourism.

Hon. Damilola also mentioned the construction of a 50-ton shea butter factory in Kaiama, a ₦3.3 billion project, aimed at producing refined shea butter that meets international standards, stating that the factory has a second phase that would utilize waste materials to produce biofuel, making it a zero-waste facility and a beacon of sustainability.

Furthermore, the Commissioner pointed out that the ongoing rehabilitation and remodeling of Patigi Regatta Motel is a project designed to enhance tourism and drive economic development in the region, while the construction of a modern Pottery Centre in Dada, a ₦120 million project, is set to empower women and youths by providing specialized training in poultry farming through partnerships with a Lagos-based poultry centre and a Chinese firm.

Hon. Damilola noted that another ongoing project is the construction of an ICT hub in Shonga, which underscores the government’s commitment to community development, explaining that this project was approved by the Governor, in response to the community requests and aims to create technology career opportunities for youths as well as facilitate ICT examinations for the surrounding areas.

The Commissioner commended the efforts of Governor AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq for the initiatives and intervention on free transport programme in response to fuel scarcity experienced in year 2024, in addition to the recent free transport palliative provided to assist stranded students returning to their institutions in January, 2025, earning commendations from universities across the state.

Hon. Damilola stated that the Ministry had supervised various market across the state such as Mandate Market, Kulende Market, and the recently completed Gbugbu Market, with a focus on efficient operations and enhanced revenue generation for the state, while the Cooperatives Societies Department in the Ministry supervised the operations of the Cooperatives societies in the state as well as promote sustainable growth.

The Commissioner reaffirmed that the Ministry will continue to drive transformative initiatives that would promote entrepreneurship, innovation and community growth through its various projects.