The Ogun Tech Community has renewed its call on the state government to fulfill its long-standing promise of establishing a Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
Back in 2023, Governor Dapo Abiodun announced plans to create new ministries—including Mineral Resources, Energy, and ICT/Digital Economy—during a meeting with permanent secretaries in Abeokuta. He also revealed intentions to restructure existing ministries by separating Youth from Sports to pave the way for the Ogun State Sports Commission.
However, two years down the line, the creation of the Ministry of ICT is yet to become a reality.
Why the ICT Ministry Matters
According to the President of the Ogun Tech Community, Durosimi Adekunle, the state is missing out on critical opportunities due to the absence of a dedicated ICT ministry.
Despite Ogun being home to notable figures like Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and Shuaib Salisu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, the state still lacks the right institutional structure to drive tech growth.
Adekunle explained that while the federal government has made significant progress with policies like the Nigeria Startup Act, Ogun State has struggled to implement them effectively. Without a ministry focused solely on ICT, many national frameworks risk being overlooked or underutilized at the state level.
The Opportunities at Stake
A standalone Ministry of ICT could:
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Align Ogun State with federal digital policies.
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Support the implementation of the Nigeria Startup Act.
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Drive the development of Silicon Hill and other innovation projects.
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Create new jobs and boost youth employment.
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Position Ogun as a leader in Nigeria’s digital economy.
A Call to Action
The Ogun Tech Community is urging Governor Abiodun to act swiftly and decisively by:
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Renaming the current Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to simply the Ministry of Education.
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Establishing a dedicated Ministry of ICT to champion tech policies, programs, and innovation.
As Adekunle emphasized, “Without a Ministry of ICT, Ogun cannot fully harness the digital economy. The time to act is now.”
