Stakeholders in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) space have commended Governor Seyi Makinde’s performance across major sectors in Oyo State but expressed concern over what they described as the slow pace of ICT development under his two-term administration.
The stakeholders comprising professionals, graduates, and practitioners of computer science and related disciplines who hail from or studied in Oyo State made their position known while assessing the state’s development trajectory as it marks its 50th anniversary.
According to the ICT community, while Oyo State has recorded visible progress in infrastructure, education, security, and civil service reforms, the ICT sector has not enjoyed the same level of strategic focus seen in neighbouring states such as Lagos and Ogun.
Lagos State, they noted, has positioned itself as Nigeria’s tech capital through deliberate policies that encourage innovation hubs, startup incubation, broadband expansion, and partnerships with global technology firms. Ogun State, leveraging its proximity to Lagos, has also invested in tech-driven industrial parks, digital skills programmes, and smart governance initiatives that attract investors and young innovators.
In contrast, stakeholders argued that Oyo State despite hosting reputable tertiary institutions and a large youth population has yet to fully harness ICT as a driver of economic growth, job creation, and global competitiveness.
The stakeholders further pointed out that the state of ICT infrastructure in public education remains worrisome, noting that no Oyo State government-owned secondary school can confidently claim 100% readiness or compliance for the proposed 2026 WAEC Computer-Based Test (CBT) examinations. They added that many local governments across the state also lack standard ICT centres capable of supporting digital learning, skills acquisition, and continuous training for youths and civil servants. As a result, several computer professionals and ICT practitioners of Oyo State origin are compelled to relocate to neighbouring states and other parts of the country in search of better facilities, exposure, and opportunities for professional growth.
The stakeholders outlined several benefits Oyo State could have enjoyed if greater priority had been given to ICT:
• Youth Employment and Skills Development: Robust ICT policies would have created thousands of direct and indirect jobs through software development, digital services, outsourcing, and tech entrepreneurship.
• Increased Internally Generated Revenue (IGR): A thriving tech ecosystem would attract startups and investors, expanding the state’s tax base and reducing dependence on federal allocations.
• Smart Governance: Digitisation of public services could improve transparency, efficiency, and service delivery across ministries, departments, and agencies.
• Innovation and Global Visibility: With its academic institutions, Oyo could emerge as a research and innovation hub, retaining local talent and attracting international collaborations.
• Inclusive Economic Growth: ICT-driven solutions in agriculture, education, health, and commerce would enhance productivity and improve livelihoods across urban and rural communities.
While acknowledging Governor Makinde’s achievements in other sectors, the stakeholders urged the state government to urgently recalibrate its development strategy by placing ICT at the centre of future plans. They called for investments in broadband infrastructure, tech hubs, digital skills training, and supportive policies that empower young innovators.
As Oyo State reflects on its golden jubilee, the ICT community insists that embracing technology is no longer optional but essential for sustainable development and competitiveness in the digital age.
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