Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has declared that his administration’s eight-year drive in the digital and technology sectors has brought unprecedented transformation to the state. Speaking at the launch of the Edo State Digital Policy and the Edo Data Centre over the weekend, the governor emphasized that the new data center represents Nigeria’s first state-owned facility of its kind, marking a milestone in the nation’s digital infrastructure.
Highlighting the reforms’ impact, Obaseki stated that Edo has now emerged as a leader in digital inclusion, leveraging technology as a means to foster socio-economic growth and enhance inclusivity across the state. According to him, the new digital policy framework will ensure that these initiatives are sustainable and continue to guide Edo’s digital revolution well into the future.
“This event is significant because we have started a revolution in Edo State, a digital revolution,” Obaseki remarked. “We are rounding up with a policy statement that will guide this revolution into the future. The population of Edo is scaled towards the youth, who are born in a digital age. The future is digital. It will be difficult to navigate the world today without technology.”
He continued, underscoring the state’s ambition to equip its youth for a digital-first world: “If you want to develop and grow rapidly, you must begin to think of how to use technology. The pace of advancement is scary, and those who haven’t started risk being left behind. In Edo, we have a long history of knowledge and interaction on a global level. We knew we had to act differently to catch up, which is why we prioritized introducing technology and training our young people to own this digital world.”
Obaseki also reflected on the state’s journey in creating a digital infrastructure, sharing that Edo has been put onto the “digital superhighway.” He emphasized that the digital policy would help residents understand the standards and rules necessary to operate in this modern landscape.
Recounting efforts that laid the foundation for this transformation, he credited initiatives like EdoJobs and Edo Innovate Hub, which have benefited over 50,000 young people through skill development and training. “We have been lucky to build a digital ecosystem that has grown rapidly,” Obaseki noted, adding that the Infrastructure Committee on Technology Advancement (ICTA), which he helped establish years ago as Chairman of the State Economy Team, remains crucial in providing technological support to the government.
Governor Obaseki concluded by emphasizing that the state’s newly launched policy document and data center symbolize a new era for Edo, one rooted in innovation and digital progress, positioning the state as a formidable player in Nigeria’s tech landscape.
