The Ogun State Government has restated its commitment to building a smart, technology-driven and investor-friendly economy as the 2025 Ogun Digital Summit opened on Thursday.
Speaking at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, on Thursday, Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele said the annual summit has become the state’s largest platform for conversations on the future of work and technology.
Salako-Oyedele added that now in its sixth year, “the event has trained more than 6,000 young people and strengthened Ogun’s innovation ecosystem.”
This year’s summit attracted participants across the technology value chain, including beginners, experienced software developers, students, entrepreneurs, researchers and government officials.
Salako-Oyedele noted that the state governor, Dapo Abiodun’s administration has taken deliberate steps “to grow the digital economy through partnerships, tech clusters and skills-development programmes.”
She highlighted the transformation of the Ogun Tech Hub into a centre for coding, design and mentorship, and the establishment of the Window on America learning space, which provides access to global-standard digital training.
She also referenced the newly sited NCC Digital Centre, which is already training youths in artificial intelligence engineering, generative AI development and cloud technologies.
“For a centre like this to be located in Ogun State is not accidental. It reflects confidence in our talent base and in our long-term digital vision,” she said.
The deputy governor called for stronger collaboration among innovation hubs, private labs, universities, training centres and government agencies, warning that fragmentation weakens the impact of the state’s growing tech ecosystem.
She added that government priorities going forward include building talent, supporting homegrown solutions and ensuring inclusiveness so that technology remains accessible to all residents.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, encouraged youths to leverage digital tools to improve their livelihoods, stressing that emerging technologies offer immense opportunities for innovation and wealth creation.
Convener of the summit, Victor Olaleye, said the “initiative has grown into a platform that connects startup founders with investors, helping young innovators turn ideas into viable products.”
Co-convener Olatunde Labode added that the summit has helped expand access to technology in underserved communities across the state.
Speakers delivered presentations on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, the digital economy and the future of work, emphasising the need for continuous skills development to enable sustainable economic growth.
The summit continues today with breakout sessions, masterclasses and panel discussions.
In 2024, the organisers of the summit said it exposed over 5000 youths to cutting-edge technology that is in high demand.
The Director of Ogun Digital Summit, Sola Otesile, urged youths to be innovators and use the potential of technology to revolutionise the economy and create solutions to a myriad of socio-economic challenges buffeting the nation.
