Ekiti 2056: Oyebanji Unveils 30-Year Vision for Tech, Tourism and Knowledge Economy

Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has unveiled a 30-year development vision aimed at transforming the state into a major hub for technology, knowledge, tourism and enterprise by 2056.

Oyebanji presented the vision on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti at the Ekiti at 30 Future Summit, organised to mark three decades since the creation of the state. He said the next phase of development must focus on innovation, competence and the ability to turn knowledge into economic value.

The governor argued that academic certificates alone would no longer be enough to drive industrial growth, create jobs, modernise agriculture or compete in a technology-driven global economy. He said Ekiti needed to build an economy where education, innovation and enterprise translate into practical opportunities for its people.

He outlined a future in which agriculture becomes a technology-driven and profitable industry, supported by a complete value chain covering production, processing, packaging, logistics and exports. He also projected Ekiti as a major knowledge-economy centre producing software developers, researchers, designers, engineers, digital creators and technology entrepreneurs.

“The intellectual capital of our people must be transformed into economic capital,” Oyebanji said, adding that Ekiti should be able to produce people who can work for global clients without abandoning their communities.

The governor also identified tourism and the creative economy as major sources of future jobs and investment. He listed the state’s waterfalls, warm springs, historic sites, festivals, cuisine, music and artistic traditions as assets that could support opportunities for farmers, hoteliers, transport operators, performers, tour guides, artisans and other businesses.

Oyebanji said government could not remain the sole employer of labour, urging the private sector, cooperatives, development institutions and Ekiti indigenes in the diaspora to become active partners in building the state’s economy. He also challenged young people to acquire relevant skills, embrace technology and develop solutions to problems within their communities.

The governor said the 30th anniversary should serve as a launchpad rather than merely a celebration of past achievements. He had earlier described his administration’s 30-year transformation agenda as one that would move Ekiti beyond its traditional “civil service state” identity towards becoming a technology and commercial hub.

Lead speaker Dr Tunji Olowolafe similarly called for stronger links between education, reliable electricity, infrastructure, skills and industrial partnerships. He said Ekiti’s future would depend on converting knowledge acquired through education into practical innovations capable of creating jobs and reducing poverty.

The summit also featured reflections from the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, and the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Adewole, who urged greater collective efforts to preserve the state’s values and sustain development.

The event included the presentation of prizes to winners of an essay competition focused on young people’s vision for Ekiti in 2056. The initiative was designed to encourage practical ideas from the younger generation on technology, agriculture, education, entrepreneurship, tourism and other areas of long-term development.