The drive for youth empowerment and improved healthcare in Kwara State gained fresh momentum on Friday, June 27, as the Craft Innovation Hub (CIH) team paid a strategic partnership visit to MABIFUS Medical Diagnostics in Ilorin.
The visit, which signals a new era of cross-sector collaboration in the state, was led by Abdulrasaq Ahmed Abiodun, Founder of Craft Innovation Hub. He was accompanied by Engineer Ibraheem Abdulrazaq, Amina Hamzah, and Abdussomad Olamilekan Olose. The team was received by the Managing Director of MABIFUS Medical Diagnostics, Mr. Adekunle Sulaymon Adeniyi, at the diagnostic centre’s headquarters.
During the meeting, both parties discussed a roadmap for partnership designed to blend skills training, health outreach, and innovative community initiatives. The partnership, described by stakeholders as “the first of its kind in Ilorin,” aims to create opportunities for young people to acquire digital and vocational skills while promoting preventive healthcare in underserved communities.
Craft Innovation Hub, scheduled to launch officially in August at Agbo Oba, Ilorin, is an emerging social impact initiative targeting skills development, entrepreneurship, and youth leadership. The hub’s mission is to offer world-class technology and vocational training, supported by practical mentorship, media engagement, and health advocacy, to prepare young Nigerians for competitive careers and civic leadership.
MABIFUS Medical Diagnostics, a household name in diagnostic healthcare within Kwara State, is noted for its investment in affordable, accessible, and reliable medical services. The organisation has a track record of collaborating on community health programmes, and its partnership with CIH is expected to further bridge the gap between innovation and public wellbeing.
Speaking during the visit, Mr. Adeniyi commended CIH’s approach and expressed optimism about the future of the collaboration. “We are excited to join hands with Craft Innovation Hub. Abiodun’s leadership, coupled with the team’s energy, shows a commitment to excellence and integrity. Together, we hope to deliver real value to the people of Ilorin,” he said.
Abiodun described the partnership as a step towards lasting change. “When institutions work together, they can create solutions that address real challenges, whether it’s youth unemployment or gaps in healthcare. Our goal is to empower, inspire, and uplift,” he noted.
Key outcomes of the alliance include:
• Joint community health screenings, especially targeting youths, women, and at-risk families;
• Career bootcamps and clinics on digital technology, entrepreneurship, and health innovation;
• Advocacy for preventive health and local talent development;
• Practical pathways for employment, freelance work, and business incubation.
“This partnership is about more than programmes; it’s about creating a pipeline of opportunities for the next generation. When young people are healthy and skilled, the whole community benefits,” said Abdussomad Olose, a CIH team member.
A participant, Amina Hamzah, said: “As a young woman aspiring for a career in technology, seeing leaders collaborate for our future gives me hope. This is an opportunity many will cherish.”
The CIH-MABIFUS partnership echoes emerging models in cities like Lagos, where tech hubs are teaming up with health providers to drive inclusive progress. For Ilorin and Kwara, the collaboration is expected to catalyse youth employability, health literacy, and entrepreneurial growth, addressing some of the most urgent development priorities in the region.
As Craft Innovation Hub and MABIFUS Medical Diagnostics formalise their partnership, Kwara State stands to witness a new wave of innovation and empowerment, one that prioritises both skill and health for the collective good.
For further information, visit www.cih.ng or email hi@cih.ng. Follow updates using #CraftingFutures.
