Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the immediate past Governor of Edo State, has called on Nigeria’s current state governors to prioritise investments in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT) to boost digital transformation and accelerate socio-economic development in their states.
Obaseki made this appeal at the 31st anniversary dinner of the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria, held in Lagos recently, where he was honoured with the prestigious Digital Governor of the Year Award.
The event, which also featured the launch of the book, ‘100 Leading Telecoms & Digital Economy Personalities in Nigeria’, underscored the vital role of digital innovation in Nigeria’s development trajectory.
Speaking via video conferencing, Obaseki dedicated the award to the team of digital champions in Edo State, who played critical roles in advancing the state’s digital transformation agenda during his tenure.
Highlighting the importance of technology in governance and development, Obaseki remarked: “Any government, organisation, institution, or community that does not invest in technology or utilise it for the benefit of its citizens will most likely become obsolete shortly.
“Governments must play a pivotal role in creating an interesting and enabling environment for digital advancements to thrive. Africa and Nigeria must embrace emerging technologies to empower citizens and enhance development.”
He further emphasised the successful digital transformation projects implemented during his time in office, noting that Edo State prioritised technology to revolutionise education, healthcare, and public service delivery.
“We digitised innovation across various sectors, enabling teachers, healthcare workers, Geographic Information System administrators, and security operators to leverage technology for improved service delivery,” Obaseki added.
During his tenure as governor of Edo State, Obaseki spearheaded several groundbreaking digital initiatives that transformed governance and service delivery across the state. One of such initiative was the EdoBEST (Basic Education Sector Transformation) programme, which leveraged digital tools to train teachers, monitor performance, and enhance learning outcomes for over 300,000 students in public schools.
In land administration and urban planning, he implemented GIS solutions to modernise processes, improve efficiency, and ensure greater transparency.
Additionally, he established Edo Innovates, a state-of-the-art innovation hub that provided training and resources in coding, data analysis, and business development, empowering thousands of young people with critical skills for the digital economy.
Recognising the importance of connectivity, the former governor also prioritised the expansion of digital infrastructure across the state. His administration deployed broadband networks to link rural and urban communities, significantly boosting internet penetration and enabling wider access to digital services. These initiatives collectively positioned Edo State as a leader in digital transformation and innovation.
Obaseki commended the resilience and creativity of telecoms professionals in driving digital economy growth, as documented in the newly launched book. The publication explores how innovative leaders overcame challenges to position the telecoms sector as a significant contributor to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product and national development.
He urged his counterparts to embrace similar strategies, leveraging emerging technologies to empower their states and citizens while positioning Nigeria as a global player in the digital economy.
