In Nigeria’s evolving technology landscape, IHS Nigeria, a subsidiary of IHS Towers, is emerging as a critical force behind digital access, innovation infrastructure and talent development. Far beyond its traditional role as a telecommunications infrastructure provider, the company is steadily building a reputation as a key enabler of Nigeria’s tech ecosystem and a driver of inclusive digital growth.
With more than 16,000 towers and over 15,000 kilometres of fibre optic routes across the country, IHS Nigeria is laying the physical foundation that supports connectivity, innovation and digital enterprise. These investments have enabled the grassroots-to-global digital participation needed to position Nigeria among leading technology hubs on the continent.
Its footprint, however, now extends into talent incubation and tech entrepreneurship through the establishment and funding of innovation hubs across several states. In Ilorin, the company powered what is considered the largest innovation hub in West Africa. Launched earlier this year, the Ilorin Innovation Hub was developed as a collaborative environment equipped with co-working spaces, incubation and acceleration programmes, mentorship pipelines and access to investors through partnerships with Programme Managers such as Co-creation Hub and Future Africa. It is expected to nurture the next generation of tech entrepreneurs and digital creators.
IHS Nigeria has also played a restoration role in Kano, where the Nigeria Communications Commission reopened the Kano Digital Industrial Park with IHS support after it was vandalised during the 2024 protests. Intended to serve as a public centre for digital learning and industrial innovation, the park continues to provide access to tools, training and technology that encourage local participation in the digital economy.
The company’s commitment to regional innovation extends to the North East, where it is constructing a similar digital hub in Maiduguri, Borno State. In Lagos, IHS Nigeria has strengthened existing innovation platforms, including the Lagos Innovates Centre in Alimosho, which focuses on energy and environmental solutions, and the LCCI-BOI Innovation Hub in Ikeja, where IHS funded construction, space development and ICT infrastructure. In Oyo State, its investment in the Ladoke Akintola University innovation hub in Ogbomosho reinforces the company’s interest in integrating universities into the nation’s broader innovation pipeline.
To reinforce its digital impact, IHS Nigeria has forged strategic partnerships with institutions including UNICEF, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy. These collaborations are central to expanding digital access in schools, strengthening policy advocacy and fostering national programmes that advance economic participation.
Through its partnership with UNICEF Nigeria, the company has enabled internet connectivity and delivered ICT devices to more than 800 schools across 17 states. As a result, approximately 1.7 million learners and teachers have gained access to the Nigeria Learning Passport, a hybrid education platform developed by UNICEF and the Federal Ministry of Education. This initiative supports flexible learning models, digital curriculum integration and new teaching methodologies tailored to underserved communities.
IHS Nigeria’s participation in national digital initiatives is also visible through its support for the Federal Government’s Three Million Technical Talent initiative. The 3MTT programme has enrolled 140,000 individuals in digital training, while contributing to 7,500 full-time jobs and creating an estimated 30,000 entrepreneurial opportunities. The company also advances gender inclusion through programmes such as Women in Tech and Green Jobs, which provided young women with certifications, technical mentorship and access to engineering and technology career pathways in 2024.
Teachers and school administrators in states such as Jigawa, Kwara, Abia and Osun are also beneficiaries of IHS Nigeria’s digital literacy initiatives, with schools receiving routers and digital tools to enhance classroom delivery and improve student engagement.
Since 2023, the company has collaborated with STEM4DEV Project, KAD-ICT Hub, 9ijakids and the Limitless Space Institute, reaching more than 5,700 young Nigerians through hands-on training in space science, engineering and software development. Its sponsorship of events such as STEM Africa Fest reflects a belief that early exposure to technology and scientific exploration plays a foundational role in nurturing curiosity and innovation.
As Nigeria seeks to consolidate its position as a continental leader in technology, IHS Nigeria is positioning its innovation hubs as launchpads for future unicorns and impact-driven startups. These hubs are envisioned not only as shared spaces but as economic engines where ideas mature into enterprises, employment is generated and a new generation of African tech talent is cultivated.
Through sustained investments in infrastructure, partnerships and people, IHS Nigeria is reinforcing its role as a catalyst for long-term digital transformation and a strategic contributor to sustainable economic growth across Nigeria and Africa.
