The Ondo State Government has unveiled its decision to harness the benefits of immersing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve governance efficiency, boost the state economy, increase productivity, and enhance citizen’s welfare throughout the state.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of a two-day summit on the adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Akure, Ondo State Capital, the state Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa represented by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun described technology as a driving force for development assuring that, the state government would continue to invest heavily in digital infrastructure and human capital development to achieve these goals.
“AI is no longer a distant dream; it is a powerful tool that is already transforming governance around the world,” the governor stated. “our future lies in the effective deployment of AI to enhance service delivery, boost productivity to build an inclusive and innovative society.”
The governor urged all stakeholders to embrace AI responsibly, emphasising that, inclusivity and transparency in implementation will go a long way to serve the public better.
“This journey is not about replacing humans,” he said. “It is about amplifying human potentials, creating jobs, and building a culture of innovation that secures the future of our people.”
The two-day summit, themed “Driving Governance Efficiency and Inclusive Development Through Responsible AI adoption,” is an initiative of the Ondo State Information Technology Agency (SITA) in partnership with key stakeholders from the public, private, academia, Civil Society and Ondo Tourism sectors.
Welcoming participants, the Executive Chairman of SITA, Hon. Tomide Akinribido, described the summit as a decisive step in the state’s digital transformation journey, adding that the primary aim of the summit is to make the state become a front-runner in Africa’s AI revolution.
“We are not merely discussing technology,” Akinribido said. “We are shaping the state’s position in the Fourth Industrial Revolution — from public administration to agriculture, education, and health care. The goal is simple: to make Ondo State not just a consumer but a creator of technology.”
In an interview, the Permanent Secretary of SITA, Dr. Mrs. Folukemi Aladenola said the adoption of AI is to assist the state to enhance project monitoring, detect financial anomaly and support for other critical sectors of the economy to be more result oriented.
According to her, SITA is already collaborating with other stakeholders to develop a workable blueprint for the deployment of the AI throughout the state not only to make the adoption effective but for the rapid socioeconomic transformation of the state.
In a keynote lecture delivered by the Executive Director of Promad Infotech Foundation, Mr. Daisi Omokungbe, he explored strategies and frameworks for AI adoption in the public sector.
The keynote speaker emphasised that AI, if deployed ethically and strategically, could drive transparency, accountability, and efficiency in governance.
“With responsible AI integration, public servants can automate repetitive tasks, improve decision-making, and focus on higher-value problem-solving,” the keynote speaker noted. “Ondo State stands at the threshold of becoming Nigeria’s model for AI-driven governance.”
Omokungbe called for a three-phase strategy focused on capacity building, scalable pilot projects, and inclusive stakeholder participation. He proposed that the state should train at least 2,500 civil servants in AI applications by 2027 as part of its adoption plan.
Throughout the summit, participants including policymakers, tech entrepreneurs, youth innovators, and representatives of academia will engage in technical sessions and panel discussions on AI ethics, cybersecurity, e-governance, digital economy frameworks, and skills development.
At the technical session, participants were divided into five groups where they discussed and proffered AI-driven solutions to some problems facing the public service, agriculture, health, education and creative industry.
Dignitaries at the two-day summit included; the Ondo state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development-Dr Seun Osamaye, Commisioner for Culture and Tourism-Hon. Afolabi Adesoji, Commissioner for Environment- Dr. Tob Loko, Chairman of Ondo state Internal Revenue Service-Mr. Bayo Rojugbokan, Chairman of Ose Local Government- Barr. Kolapo Ojo, Chairman of Ondo State Waste Management Authority- Mrs Yinka Alabi, DG/CEO of Ondo state Media Group- Mr. Kenneth Odusola, Chairman of Ondo North-west LCDA- Hon. Onidare Sunday Bukunmi, SSA to the Governor on Public Enlightenment- Comrade Femi Lawson, DG of the Ondo State Contributory Health Commission- Dr. Abiodun Oyeneyin, while the body of Permanent Secretaries’ chairman, Chief Bunmi Alade led permanent secretaries from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Deputy Governor’s Office, Ministry of finance, Government House and Protocol, and other accounting officers to the event.
By Sola Obagbemisoye