The Offa Tech Expo has successfully concluded a 2-day Hybrid Event which brought together over 300 participants from across the tech ecosystem in Nigeria.
The second day of the event took place on Saturday, April 12th, at Summit University, Offa, Kwara State, themed “Building Sustainable Tech Communities for a Resilient Future.”
The event brought together over 300 participants at Adiat Hall, Summit University, Offa, to celebrate innovation, entrepreneurship, and community-driven technology.
The event featured exhibitions, panel sessions, and youth empowerment initiatives.
It opened with a welcome address from Prof. Mashood O. Aliyu of Kwara State University, who emphasized the role of local tech ecosystems in national development.
Notable highlights included a tech exhibition coordinated by Abdulazeez Akpata, showcasing innovations like solar-powered tricycles, electric bicycles, intelligent walking sticks, and fuelless generators.
Panelists from Cypher Devs, Syberhost Nigeria, Skill Afrika, and Ilorin Innovation Hub shared insights on tech careers, startups, and bridging academic-industry gaps.
Vendors also displayed local products, while three secondary school students received full scholarships from Summit University based on tech-related performances.
The event concluded with the launch of a mentorship program and a preview of future plans, including a 2026 Tech Bootcamp.
Organizers called for continued support, the institutionalization of the Expo, and the establishment of a Tech Innovation Fund to drive grassroots impact.
THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY IS REPRODUCED BELOW
OFFA TECH EXPO 2025 COMPREHENSIVE EVENT REPORT
Date: 12th April 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:45 PM
Venue: Adiat Hall, Summit University, Offa, Kwara State, Nigeria
Theme: Building Sustainable Tech Communities for a Resilient Future
1. Executive Summary
The Offa Tech Expo 2025 marked a major milestone in the advancement of technology, innovation, and community development in Kwara State. Held in Offa, this exciting event brought together over 300 registered participants, including students, tech experts, innovators, startup founders, investors, and community members from Offa, Ilorin, and surrounding regions.
The event featured fascinating exhibitions, thought-provoking panel discussions, career and startup insights, and a rich networking experience. Anchored by Lawal Habeebulah and Mr. Yusuf Sholola, the event ran smoothly from 10:00 AM to 2:45 PM, energizing attendees with real-life innovation and purposeful conversations about the future of tech in Nigeria.
A major highlight of the event was the technology exhibition handled by Abdulazeez Akpata, who coordinated demonstrations of drone technology, electric bicycles, solar-powered tricycles, intelligent walking sticks, and fuelless generators—all developed by local innovators and startups.
2. Opening Ceremony & Welcome Address
The program began sharply at 10:00 AM with the welcome address delivered by Prof. Mashood O. Aliyu, Dean of the Postgraduate School, Kwara State University (KWASU), representing Prof. Bayo Lawal, Dean of the Postgraduate School, Summit University, Offa.
In his address, Prof. Aliyu emphasized the importance of developing sustainable tech ecosystems within local communities and commended the organizers and stakeholders for creating a platform that fosters talent development, innovation, and collaboration.
3. Interactive Sessions and Panel Discussions
A. Skill Afrika: Community First
Representatives from Skill Afrika opened the day’s interactive sessions by discussing the power of community building in scaling tech ecosystems. They emphasized how platforms like the OFA Tech Expo help break the entry barrier for underrepresented youth in technology.
“When you invest in your community, you invest in the future of innovation.” – Skill Afrika
B. Fireside Chat with Industry Experts
Attendees were treated to a dynamic fireside chat featuring several notable industry professionals:
• Paul Olorunsola (Senior WordPress Developer & AI Automation Expert)
• Salawu Ibrahim (Head of Department, Summit University)
• Mr. Tajudeen Abdulazeez Omotayo (Co-founder, Cypher Devs)
• Habibat Olaosebikan (Co-founder, Syberhost Nigeria)
• Temi Kolawole (Co-founder, Ilorin Innovation Hub)
• Engr. Yusuf (DG, Technology Incubation Center, Kwara)
Discussions centered around:
• Career transitions into tech
• Startup scalability strategies
• Tech funding and investment
• Bridging the academia-industry gap
Attendees were encouraged to pursue entrepreneurship and develop solutions that can address real societal problems.
4. Innovation Exhibition: Showcasing the Future
Curated and led by Abdulazeez Akpata, the technology exhibition was a major crowd-puller, offering a firsthand look into local innovation at its finest. Each product was carefully demonstrated to visitors, with explanations of their potential impact in both rural and urban communities.
Items Exhibited:
1. Drone Technology – Used for aerial surveillance, mapping, and delivery.
2. Electric Bicycle – A smart mobility solution for eco-friendly transportation.
3. Solar Tricycle – Designed for off-grid communities to enhance rural mobility.
4. Smart Walking Stick – Embedded with sensors for aiding the elderly and visually impaired.
5. Fuelless Generator – An energy-efficient power solution reducing dependence on fuel.
Visitors were fascinated by the practicality of these innovations, and several discussions were held about potential collaborations, patenting, and commercialization opportunities.
5. Vendor Booths & Market Display
The event also featured small business vendors who showcased tech gadgets, locally made soaps, organic honey, natural body care products, and more. This segment of the expo emphasized inclusive entrepreneurship, combining tech with locally sourced products.
Many attendees took time to patronize the vendors and engage in conversations about branding, packaging, and digital marketing. This section created a wonderful blend of tech and local enterprise.
6. Youth Empowerment: Scholarship Awards
A heartfelt moment of the event was the announcement of three full scholarships for brilliant secondary school students, proudly sponsored by Summit University, Offa.
The selection was based on:
• Their performance in a tech-oriented quiz
• Submitted essays on how technology can improve Nigerian communities
• Teachers’ recommendations
This initiative aims to nurture their potential by enrolling them in pre-tech training programs and pairing them with mentors from the Offa Tech community.
7. Attendance & Participation
The Offa Tech Expo had a vibrant and diverse crowd:
• Over 300 registered participants
• Secondary school students from Ilorin, Offa, and neighboring communities
• University students, startup teams, tech enthusiasts, and developers
• Government agency representatives, including those from the Technology Incubation Center (TIC)
Notable organizations represented included:
• Cypher Devs
• Syberhost Nigeria
• Ilorin Innovation Hub
• Skill Afrika
• Summit University Tech Community
8. Closing Ceremony & Next Steps
The event officially came to an end at 2:45 PM, with closing remarks that outlined future engagements, including:
• A structured mentorship program for selected participants
• Creation of the OFFA Tech Community Slack group for ongoing support
• Plans for a Tech Incubation Bootcamp 2026
Sponsors, vendors, partners, and volunteers were all appreciated, and awards were presented to key contributors who made the event a success.
9. Key Takeaways
• The OFFA Tech Expo is more than an event—it’s a movement.
• Local innovations are ready to solve real-world problems if given the right support.
• Tech communities thrive when education, entrepreneurship, and innovation intersect.
• Community-driven expos are key to unearthing grassroots talent.
10. Recommendations
• Institutionalize the OFFA Tech Expo as an annual innovation fair.
• Establish a Tech Innovation Fund to support promising prototypes.
• Expand outreach to more secondary schools to build early interest in STEM.
• Engage policymakers in future events to bridge regulation and innovation.
11. Conclusion
The OFFA Tech Expo 2025 was an inspiring convergence of vision, innovation, and community power. From smart mobility solutions to youth empowerment, the event highlighted Offa’s potential as a tech innovation hub in Nigeria. With strong partnerships, increased awareness, and sustained engagement, the future of tech in Offa is not just promising—it is inevitable.
Prepared by:
Abdulazeez Akpata
Community Manager,
Official Reporter – OFA Tech Expo 2025
Date: 15th April 2025
