Organisers of the Ibadan Startup Fest (ISF) have announced plans to leverage the fourth edition of the annual conference to advance startup growth, innovation, and job creation in emerging markets. The event will hold on November 28 at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.
The announcement was made on Tuesday during a press conference at the Oyo State Secretariat, Ibadan, heralding the annual technology and entrepreneurship festival.
Speaking at the event, the Convener of ISF, Mr. David Adeleke, said the festival, which began four years ago with just 100 participants, has grown into a major platform driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation in Oyo State and beyond.
He attributed the growth to the active participation and support of the Oyo State Government, which, he said, has deliberately positioned the state as a thriving technology hub with increasing global recognition.
According to Adeleke, this year’s edition will focus on how individuals and businesses can leverage technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), to enhance and scale their operations. He emphasised that the conference is open to everyone, not only technology professionals, and will feature masterclasses, fireside chats, and startup pitch sessions.
He added that a gala and awards night will form part of the one-day event. Organised in partnership with the state government, the ceremony will recognise startups and individuals developing impactful solutions from Ibadan and other emerging markets.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on ICT, Mr. Bayo Akande Jnr., commended the organisers for choosing to build in Ibadan rather than Lagos, which he described as a saturated market.
Akande noted that the city’s year-on-year growth has been driven by enabling infrastructure, including extensive fibre-optic deployment and Independent Power Projects (IPPs), as well as the success stories of companies that started in Ibadan.
He stressed the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors, noting that while government provides the enabling environment, the private sector drives innovation.
“This sort of partnership is what is important. Government can create the rails, but it cannot drive the businesses itself. It is important that the private and public sectors work together. It is also important that innovative technologies are brought to Ibadan so we can move at the same pace as the rest of the world,” he said.
In his remarks, a partner of the programme and Chief Executive Officer of Cardify, Mr. Tunde Buremo, said the company deliberately chose to establish its headquarters in Ibadan, unlike many similar brands based in Lagos, to demonstrate that business success is not dependent on location.
Buremo commended Governor Seyi Makinde for providing an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. He added that events such as ISF serve as alternative learning platforms through masterclasses and fireside chats that empower young people and support sustainable development goals related to innovation, education, and youth development.
The organisers called on technology enthusiasts, startup founders, investors, students, and members of the public to participate in the conference and register via the official website, Ibadan Startup Fest.
