The Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Professor Musibau Babatunde, has charged youths to remain resilient, innovative and committed to personal development as part of efforts to contribute meaningfully to the development of the State and the Country at large.

Professor Babatunde gave this charge at the 2026 International Youth Day celebration organised by the Bureau of ICT and Digital Innovations, with the theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspiration.”  The event, which featured the Hackathon 2026 Youth Presentation, was held at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan.

The Secretary to the State Government emphasised the importance of personal commitment, continuous self-development and goal setting, urging the young participants to take responsibility for their growth by setting clear and achievable targets and remaining committed to attaining them.

He noted that opportunities for learning and development would only produce meaningful results when matched with discipline, determination and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Professor Babatunde urged the interns to see the Hackathon and the digital skills acquired during the programme as opportunities to build their capacity and contribute meaningfully to the development of Oyo State and society at large.

The interns, who are under the supervision of the Management Information Centre (MIC), Governor’s Office, Oyo State, were drawn from different backgrounds and given the opportunity to demonstrate the digital skills acquired during their internship.

The guest speaker and Chairman/CEO of Olanreforward Foods Limited, Mr. Olanrewaju, admonished the interns to be more creative in their practical application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), noting that such skills would enhance their opportunities as the world continues to evolve into a global village.

Speaking at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on ICT and E-Governance, Mr. Bayo Akande, said the interns were expected to identify gaps and challenges within the State Secretariat during their engagement.

Akande expressed optimism that the innovations presented at the Hackathon would provide solutions to some of the identified challenges, while also having the potential to address problems beyond the Secretariat and contribute to the overall development of Oyo State.

He announced gifts for the First, Second and Third-place winners in recognition of their outstanding innovative projects.

In her goodwill message, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Mrs. Ramata Agberemi Dabo (RAD), commended the initiative, describing it as a laudable effort to equip young people with relevant digital skills for the future.

The Director of Youth Mobilization, Hon. Kazeem Bolarinwa tasked the youth to take advantage of available opportunities to acquire knowledge, develop innovative ideas and contribute positively to society.

Hon. Bolarinwa hinted further that the  Hackathon 2026 provided a platform for the interns to demonstrate the practical application of their digital skills through innovative projects, reflecting the programme’s objective of transforming youth capacity development into practical solutions capable of contributing to the development of Oyo State and beyond.

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of ICT & Digital Innovations, Engr. Abisola Adabanija, described the occasion as a special one, noting that it coincided with the celebration of International Youth Day.

She said the programme had provided the interns with opportunities to acquire practical knowledge and develop skills that could be applied to real-life challenges.

Abiodun Atilola

Media Officer to the SSG/HOS

Attains New Milestones at the 11th General Meeting of the National Council on Communications and Digital Economy

Following Oyo State’s success at the 2022 General Meeting of the National Council on Communications, Innovation and Digital economy (NCCIDE) held in Ibadan, where it emerged victorious in all categories: Best State in Human Capital Development, Best State in E-government, Best State in digital technology infrastructure and the Overall best State in Digital Technology-Oyo State has once again reaffirmed its position as a trailblazer in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) with a remarkable performance at the 11th  General Meeting of NCCIDE, themed “Leveraging on Digital Technology and Innovation to drive Nigeria’s Economic Growth and Development.”

The event, hosted in Kano by Governor Abba K. Yusuf from January 22nd to January 25th, 2024, was attended by notable figures, including the Honourable Minister of Communications and Innovation, Dr. Bosun Tijani, who chaired the meeting, the Director-General of NITDA Nigeria, Kashifu Inuwa, States Council Men, Private dignitaries, among others.

At the meeting, Oyo State achieved significant milestones, underscoring its leadership in ICT excellence. The State was honored with three awards, further solidifying its reputation as a pioneer in the Country’s digital landscape. Oyo secured the following positions in the 3 categories:

• Best State in Human Capital Development
• Best State in E-government
• Second Runner-up in Digital Technology Infrastructure

Announcing this feat, Adebayo Akande, Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on ICT, said:  “I am proud to announce that for 3 consecutive years, Oyo State has demonstrated its leadership in ICT innovation and implementation, fostering an enabling environment for start-ups and businesses while contributing to the digital transformation in Nigeria. The State’s performance at the meeting has not only reaffirmed our position as a frontrunner in the digital landscape but has established a standard for other States to emulate, inspiring my team and I to double our efforts.

I want to express my gratitude to the Governor of the State, Engr. Seyi Makinde for his continuous support, as well as every stakeholder and my team. This achievement is a result of our collective commitment to leveraging technology to the betterment of the people. As we celebrate this milestone, let us remain focused to our mission to drive digital transformation, enhance connectivity and improve the lives of the citizens through innovative ICT solutions. I am confident that with our continued dedication and collaboration, we will achieve even greater success in the future.”

During the meeting, The Honourable Minister outlined a strategic blueprint consisting of five pillars: knowledge, policy, infrastructure, innovation, entrepreneurship & capital (IEC)/trade, each crucial to the Government’s mission and interconnected with others, forming the foundation of the strategy to drive economic growth and ICT development in the Country. Governor Yusuf also utilized the meeting to announce Kano State’s plans to enact a digitization act for comprehensive e-governance implementation and the formulation of an ICT policy aimed at harnessing the State’s potential in the digital economy while requesting for the handing over of NCC’s digital industrial park to Kano State for effective utilization. Emphasizing the need for economic diversification through technological innovation.

Additionally, the SSA to the Oyo State Governor on ICT, Bayo Akande highlighted the significance of synergy between Federal and State Ministries, emphasizing its potential to drive Nigeria towards a thriving digital economy through collaboration and innovation, including the sharing of best practices, pooling of resources for large-scale projects, and alignment of strategies to ensure a unified and effective approach to digital innovation.