‘Ekiti Startup Initiative Garage Yielding Positive Results’

The Ekiti state government has said the state’s startup garage initiative for youths has yielded positive results.

The state government attributed the recent success of the three young innovators from the state at the second edition of HarabiPay’s Squad Hackathon 2.0, held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, to the mentorship they acquired from the state startup garage.

The trio of Favour Adebayo, Covenant Adeosun, and Samuel Adeyemi, who made up Team Savvy, won the grand prize of N5 million in the contest with their fintech solution, “Splitwise.”

The state’s commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Digital Economy, Mr Seun Fakuade, congratulated the students and stated that the feat was a testament to the innovative spirit and talent among the state’s youth and a clear indication of their exceptional skills and creativity.

Fakuade recalled that Favour Adebayo’s journey to success began in October 2023 when he was discovered at the Ekiti State Government College, Ado Ekiti.

He said, “Recognizing his talents, he was showcased at the first Ekiti Innovation Submit, connecting him with top industry experts and invaluable learning experiences”.

The commissioner said the early exposure proved pivotal as the state government, through the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Digital Economy, further supported his development by awarding him an internship scholarship with the Cybernetiq team at the Ekiti StartUp Garage.

He stressed that the professional learning experience in software development and fintech solutions ultimately led to the success he showcased at the GTB Squadco Hackathon.

While noting that the GTB Squadco Hackathon 2.0 is a prestigious event that brings together young innovators from across the country to develop innovative solutions to real-world problems, Fakuade assured that the state government would continue to motivate young innovators, catching them young in technology and equipping them with the skills to excel in the global digital economy.

“Governor Oyebanji is passionate about Youth development and earnestly committed to new technological ideas that can lead to improvements and progress. We will, therefore, continue to inspire new generations of innovators and entrepreneurs in Ekiti State and showcase the state’s potential for innovation and growth,” he said.