Organisers of the Ibadan Startup Festival have announced plans to use the fourth edition of the annual event to drive startup growth, innovation and job creation in emerging markets.

The convener of the ISF, David Adeleke, who said this on Tuesday in Ibadan during a news conference, said the one-day festival would hold on November 28 at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.

Mr Adeleke said the festival, which started four years ago with just 100 participants, had grown into a major platform for promoting entrepreneurship and job creation in Oyo and beyond.

He attributed the growth to support from the Oyo government, which he said had deliberately positioned the state as a thriving technology hub with growing global recognition.

According to him, the 2026 edition will focus on how individuals and businesses can leverage technology, particularly artificial intelligence, to scale their operations.

He said the conference was not limited to tech professionals.

“This year is about showing everyone how to use technology, especially AI, to enhance what they already do. There will be masterclasses, fireside chats and startup pitch sessions for everyone,” he said.

He further said the event would also feature a gala and awards night, organised in partnership with the state government.

The event, he said, would honour startups and individuals building impactful solutions from Ibadan and other emerging markets.

The senior special assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on ICT, Bayo Akande, said Ibadan’s tech ecosystem has grown year on year, driven by enabling infrastructure, including extensive fibre-optic and Independent Power Projects.

Mr Akande restated the need for public-private sector collaboration, noting that the government provides the enabling environment while the private sector drives innovation. He commended the organisers for choosing to build in Ibadan rather than Lagos, which he described as a saturated market.

The chief executive officer of Cardify and partner of the programme, Tunde Buremo, said the company deliberately sited its headquarters in Ibadan to demonstrate that business success is not entirely location-dependent.

Mr Buremo commended Mr Makinde for creating an enabling environment for businesses and described the festival as an alternative learning platform that empowers youths and supports innovation and sustainable development.

The organisers called on tech enthusiasts, startup founders, investors, students and the general public to participate and register via the official Ibadan Startup Fest website.

(NAN)