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Ekiti Will Become Nigeria’s Tech Hub in Next 30 Years — Oyebanji
By Joseph Sunday
Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, says Ekiti will transition from a civil service state to Nigeria’s leading technology hub in the next 30 years.
Governor Oyebanji stated this on Thursday in a statewide broadcast to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the creation of Ekiti State.
He described the last three decades of the state’s existence as a story of remarkable progress despite daunting challenges, noting that Ekiti has every reason to celebrate its significant strides across development indices.
According to the governor, although Ekiti is one of the youngest states in the country and receives one of the lowest allocations from the Federation Account, it has outperformed many older and better-funded states in human capital development.
Ekiti State was created on October 1, 1996, by the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, alongside Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Gombe, Nasarawa and Zamfara States, increasing the number of states from 30 to 36. The creation was the culmination of years of agitation by eminent Ekiti indigenes, traditional rulers, legal luminaries, politicians, technocrats and community leaders under the Committee for the Creation of Ekiti State.
Governor Oyebanji recalled that many did not give Ekiti a chance against more formidable contenders from the Southwest, but divine providence made its creation possible. He noted that the creation, coming 120 years after the Kiriji War of 1877-1893, completed an epic struggle for self-determination started by Ekiti forebears.
He congratulated Ekiti sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora, as well as non-indigenes who have made the state their home.
The governor paid tribute to heroes of the creation struggle, including Chairman of the Creation Committee, Chief Oladeji Fasuan; legal icon, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN; the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe; and other traditional rulers he described as “incubators of the struggle,” including those who have passed on.
Oyebanji described it as humbling that he served as Secretary of the Creation Committee 30 years ago and is now privileged to lead the state as governor at this historic milestone.
He also honoured all former governors and leaders who have steered the state since inception — Col. Inua Bawa, Navy Capt. Atanda Yusuf, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Mr. Ayo Fayose, Engr. Segun Oni, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, as well as those who served during interregnums including Chief Friday Aderemi, Brig.-Gen. Tunji Olurin (rtd), Rt. Hon. Tope Ademiluyi and Rt. Hon. Tunji Odeyemi — alongside all former deputy governors, Speakers and Chief Judges.
The governor said his administration remains committed to the vision of the founding fathers — to build a state where Ekiti’s natural and human resources are efficiently harnessed for prosperity, with private capital, enterprise and productivity as drivers of an industrialised economy.
Unveiling the anniversary theme, ‘Ekiti at 30: Celebrating the Past and Creating the Future’, Oyebanji said the 30th anniversary would serve as a launchpad for a 30-year Transformation Agenda.
He explained that the agenda will position Ekiti as a leading centre for agricultural production and agro-processing, innovation and technology, quality education and skills development, tourism and creative economy, and youth entrepreneurship.
As part of the celebrations, the state government will host a special conversation with Ekiti youths on October 7, 2026, at the Obafemi Awolowo Civic and Convention Centre, Ado-Ekiti. The forum, he said, is designed to remember the past with gratitude, assess the present with honesty, and approach the future with confidence.
“Our agenda is to ensure that the socio-economic infrastructures built in these 30 years lead to real economic growth that produces quality jobs, boosts productivity, supports enterprise and enhances quality of life,” Oyebanji said.
He cited the multi-billion naira Ekiti Knowledge Zone (EKZ) — a technology park and innovation ecosystem for young people — and the forthcoming Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) as projects that will transform the state’s economy and drive his Shared Prosperity agenda.
“It is our dream that in another three decades, the tag of Ekiti as a civil service state will give way to Ekiti as Nigeria’s tech hub and a major commercial centre for international trade and commerce,” he added.
The governor also urged residents to turn out en masse for the January 16, 2027 presidential election to re-elect President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in appreciation of what he described as the President’s benevolence and support for Ekiti since 2023.
