Lagos Innovation Hub Launch celebrates youth-led innovation and honours Awori heritage with emotional tributes and visionary leadership at LASU Ojo Campus

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Lagos Innovation Hub Launch officially began operations on 2nd July 2025, marking an emotional and inspiring milestone in Nigerian youth empowerment.

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Situated within Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo Campus, the state-of-the-art facility is a joint initiative between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and LASU.

The Innovation Hub was gifted to the university by Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, a distinguished daughter of Otta and former Deputy Governor of Lagos State.

She is currently serving as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The hub is a tribute to her father, the late Pa Jimoh Orelope, and bears the name Jimoh Orelope (Awori) House, reflecting pride in Awori heritage.

The Open Day event marked the hub’s activation as a vibrant centre for entrepreneurship, digital innovation, and youth-led development.

Designed to support sustainable growth and technological advancement, the space is set to play a key role in nurturing the next generation of Nigerian changemakers.

His Majesty, Professor Adeyemi Obalanlege, the Olota of Otta, praised Princess Orelope-Adefulire’s contribution to national development during his address.

“This is not just a building. It is a legacy, a beacon of progress, and a gift to the youth of this great nation,” he said.

He stressed that if properly managed, the hub would address significant societal challenges and create job opportunities, just as similar hubs have done globally.

Students, university staff, and dignitaries gathered to celebrate the momentous occasion. The Vice Chancellor of LASU, Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, lauded the initiative for bridging the gap between academia and practical innovation.

Hon. Tolani Sule, the Lagos State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, also commended the project’s alignment with the state’s broader education and youth empowerment goals.

The event drew notable attendees including Asiwaju Muhammad Olagbaye, National Chairman of the Awori Welfare Association of Nigeria (AWAN), and Senator Gbolahan Dada and his wife.

Accompanying His Majesty were High Chief Ezekiel Bamisaiye Fadipe, the Aro of Otta, and Baale Jamiu Komolafe of Ipamesan Oke, further highlighting the significance of the project to the Awori people.

Throughout the day, the atmosphere remained one of pride and promise. Attendees reflected on the importance of preserving cultural heritage while propelling innovation.

The hub stands as a symbol of what is possible when tradition meets progress, and when leaders make intentional investments in their communities.

Princess Orelope-Adefulire’s philanthropic legacy now includes a technology-forward space that aims to foster real-world solutions in areas like education, sustainability, and economic development.

“It’s a beautiful day for LASU, for Otta, and for Nigeria. I’m confident that this Innovation Hub will inspire creativity and solve real problems,” said an attending student, visibly moved by the experience.

As the facility opens its doors, it signals a new era for LASU and its students. From coding workshops to startup incubators, the hub offers unmatched opportunities for youth eager to transform their ideas into impact.