A new wave of structured innovation is reshaping the technology ecosystem in Oyo State, as Oyo Talent Tribe moves to replace years of event driven engagement with practical skill development. In Ibadan, long known for its historic brown roofs and vibrant cultural life, the tech community had largely revolved around networking mixers and motivational gatherings, with many young professionals building in isolation while waiting for broader ecosystem growth.
Seeking to change that narrative, Oyo Talent Tribe launched BuildWithOyo, a high intensity programme supported by the Oyo State Government and designed to bridge the gap between raw talent and industry ready expertise. The initiative focused on three pillars: skill development, mentorship and a collaborative hackathon. Organisers disclosed that more than 1,500 applications were received, from which over 400 participants were selected, reflecting strong demand for deeper technical engagement across the state.
To ensure inclusiveness beyond the capital, the programme was decentralised across five locations, including Ibadan and Ogbomoso, in partnership with local innovation hubs. Participants were trained in specialised tracks covering Cybersecurity and Web3, Cloud DevOps and Full Stack Development, as well as Product Design.
With more than fifteen facilitators and ten mentors engaged, over twenty teams participated in a hackathon segment that required round the clock collaboration to develop practical solutions, shifting the focus from theory to product driven outcomes.
Organisers stated that the long term objective is to prioritise high impact programmes capable of producing measurable results rather than large scale but superficial events. They noted that support from VarsityScape and other ecosystem partners, including SQI, Notzero, Larva, Ekoss360, Talenxify, Zeeh Africa, Looped Podcast, CephasICT Hub, Oniseun Onigbinde Resources Centre, Sebs Hub, Growth Hacker, Cirvee, Cortouch Media, Safenet Society, 3MTT Oyo State and GDG Ibadan, has strengthened the foundation for sustained growth. As BuildWithOyo concludes, stakeholders say the initiative signals a deliberate effort to position Oyo State as a competitive hub for digital innovation.