Beyond tech hubs: Why Osun State needs technology as infrastructure, not an industry

During the ARISE News Town Hall in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, leading governorship candidates, Accord Party’s Ademola Adeleke and APC’s Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), focused largely on everyday issues that matter to voters: roads, agriculture, education, healthcare, jobs, and security. Instead of lengthy speeches or manifesto readings, candidates engaged with the audience, addressing questions about the state’s future.

However, one key question lingered: how does technology fit into the vision for Osun’s future? While the state has taken steps toward technological integration through initiatives in ICT policy, digital government services, and public Wi-Fi, technology often feels isolated from sectors such as agriculture and education. The real potential lies in integrating technology to enhance these areas.

For Osun, rather than aiming to create a tech hub like Lagos, a more pragmatic approach would be to leverage technology in existing sectors. Agriculture serves as a prime example, as cited by AMBO. The current administrations are focused on boosting agriculture and agro-industrial expansion, recognising it as a cornerstone of the state’s economy.

But after providing tractors and farm inputs, what’s next for farmers? They shouldn’t rely solely on word of mouth for crop guidance or market information. A simple digital agricultural platform could connect farmers with essential resources: weather forecasts, expert advice, local buyers, input suppliers, and financing, all in one place.

Imagine a cocoa farmer in Ilesa who can take a photo of a diseased leaf and get an initial diagnosis via their smartphone before an agricultural officer visits. Or farmers checking real-time market prices to decide where to sell their produce, avoiding the disappointment of arriving at a market only to find prices have dropped.

A state-wide digital farm registry could further help the government understand who is farming, what they grow, and where they are located. This data-driven approach would enable targeted support, like fertilisers, credit, and training, ensuring resources reach those who need them most.

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This is how technology can transform an agrarian economy. It isn’t about flashy innovations; it’s about using data, mobile devices, satellite imagery, and digital payments to empower farmers, improve decision-making, and boost their earnings. The same principles can be applied across other sectors in Osun, paving the way for a brighter, more interconnected future.

Technology should be the layer beneath development in Osun

Roads serve as a key example of how technology can enhance development. Osun has invested significantly in building roads and bridges, which are vital to the state’s growth. However, to ensure these roads provide long-term value, technology can help answer important questions: Which roads are wearing out the fastest? Where are accidents occurring most frequently? Which routes are critical for moving agricultural produce from farms to markets? Which communities often get cut off due to flooding?

By collecting and analysing this information, the government can prioritise maintenance efforts instead of waiting for roads to break down completely.

Healthcare improvements are equally important. Both major political parties in Osun emphasise expanding access to healthcare. Adeleke’s administration claims to have rehabilitated hundreds of primary healthcare centres, while AMBO’s PROSPER Agenda promises to enhance primary healthcare across the state’s wards. Digital systems can maximise the effectiveness of these investments. For instance, telemedicine can connect rural facilities with specialists, electronic patient records can streamline care, and inventory software can alert clinics when they are running low on essential medications.

Education presents a significant opportunity for Osun as well. With major universities like Obafemi Awolowo University and a youthful population, the state has the potential to build a strong digital economy through relevant education. Training in skills like coding, cybersecurity, data analysis, and digital marketing can help students find valuable work without moving to larger cities like Lagos.

Also read: US consulate unveils the Ogun Tech Hub ‘Windows on America’ facility to drive digital access

A designer in Osogbo can work for a company in London. At the same time, a data analyst in Ile-Ife can support firms in Lagos, and a developer in Ilesa can create products for global customers.

However, these opportunities depend on fundamental factors like reliable electricity, affordable internet, access to finance, and a business-friendly environment. Therefore, discussions about technology in Osun should go beyond the existence of a tech hub. The real question is how technology improves the key sectors of the economy.

For example, agriculture can become more productive through agritech, small businesses can tap into wider markets with e-commerce, and tourism can attract visitors through online platforms. Digital government services can spare residents long hours of queuing in offices.

Osun shows promise in these areas. The government has discussed digitising public services, land administration, and public internet access, while a community of innovators is already establishing tech businesses in the state. The challenge lies in integrating these efforts into a comprehensive economic strategy.

A technology policy that exists only within a single ministry will have limited effect. Technology is most valuable when it is embedded in plans for agriculture, education, healthcare, transportation, and government services.

Osun doesn’t need to become another Lagos to harness technology. Unlike Lagos, which thrives on a large private sector and extensive capital, Osun can leverage its unique strengths to improve efficiency and productivity. For instance, technology can help farmers produce and sell goods more effectively, allow for better road planning through data analysis, and enable young people to work for companies globally while living in Osun.

Ultimately, the success of Osun’s next government will hinge on whether technology is integrated into farming, education, healthcare, business support, and public service delivery. When technology becomes part of the infrastructure rather than a separate sector, it can drive the state toward a more modern economy rooted in agriculture and public services.