Ibadan Startup Fest Returns November 28, 2026 With Oyo State Backing

The fourth Ibadan Startup Fest will hold on November 28, 2026, at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, with the Oyo State Government reaffirming its backing for the city's technology ecosystem.

The announcement came at a press conference on Tuesday, held by festival organisers at the Oyo State Secretariat in Ibadan. Mr Bayo Akande Jnr., Senior Special Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on ICT, said the state government would continue to partner private sector players to promote innovation, support business growth and create jobs.

The festival has grown fast. Convener Mr David Adeleke said the event started four years ago with roughly 100 participants. It has since become a platform for promoting entrepreneurship, innovation and job creation, drawing entrepreneurs, investors, technology enthusiasts, students and other stakeholders.

What does the government's role look like?

Akande commended the organisers for choosing to build and sustain the festival in Ibadan rather than Lagos. He said the state capital has the potential to attract technology-driven businesses and investments.

He pointed to the infrastructure behind that claim: extensive fibre-optic deployment and Independent Power Projects (IPPs), alongside a crop of successful businesses now operating from the city.

Still, he drew a clear line between what government can and cannot do. Government builds the foundation. Private operators run the businesses.

“This sort of partnership is what is important. The government can create the rails, but it cannot drive the businesses itself. It is important that the private and public sectors work together,” Akande said.

He also framed the stakes in global terms: “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.”

What is on the 2026 programme?

Adeleke said the 2026 edition will focus on how individuals and businesses can deploy emerging technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence, to improve productivity and expand operations.

The agenda includes:

• Masterclasses
• Fireside chats
• Startup pitch sessions
• A gala and awards night recognising startups and individuals building innovative solutions in Ibadan and other emerging markets

Adeleke credited part of the festival's growth to support from the Oyo State Government. He said the initiative is helping draw attention to the state's expanding technology and business environment.

Why did Cardify pick Ibadan over Lagos?

One partner offered a working case study. Mr Tunde Buremo, Chief Executive Officer of Cardify, said his company deliberately chose Ibadan as its headquarters. The goal, he said, was to prove that businesses can achieve growth outside Nigeria's major commercial centres.

Cardify's decision was meant to challenge the perception that technology companies must be based in Lagos to succeed. Buremo commended the state government for creating an environment he said had encouraged businesses to operate and grow in Ibadan.

He added that the festival gives young people practical opportunities: acquiring entrepreneurial knowledge, engaging with industry players and exploring business opportunities.

Who should register?

The organisers called on startup founders, investors, students, entrepreneurs and members of the public to participate. Registration is open through the official Ibadan Startup Fest website.

The event lands at a moment when Oyo State is spending on both infrastructure and optics — fibre-optic networks, power projects and now a state-backed platform for AI-driven startups — and the November gathering will test whether that combination can keep talent and capital anchored outside Lagos.