Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun says his administration will domesticate the Nigerian Startup Act to drive digital economy in the state.
Adeleke said this during the implementation of Technology Innovation, ICT and Digital Economy Agenda, in celebration of his 100 days in office on Monday in Osogbo.
The governor, who signed the Executive bill on the Startup Act at the event, which is to be forwarded to the State House of Assembly, said the state would be the first to domesticate the Act in the country.
Adeleke said that the law was programmed to ensure that new start up promoters and entrepreneurs secure desired mentoring and financing.
“The law once domesticated will enhance the goals of both the ICT and the Tech Innovation policy.
“Under the Imole Digital Agenda, our target is to resolve citizens’ challenges through tech applications.
“We will grow our economy, provide gainful employment for our youths, and transform Osun state into a tech hub for the South West region,” he said.
The Startup Act, which is a joint initiative by Nigeria’s Tech Startup Ecosystem and the Presidency to harness the potentials of digital economy through co-created regulations, was signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, on Oct. 1, 2022
The governor at the event, also unveiled Osun ICT Policy, Goggle mapping and Broadband Fiber Optic Project
Adeleke said the ICT policy was designed to identify and apply information communication technology in various sectors of the state.
He said the new policy had ICT in agriculture, education, health, environment, administration, infrastructure, among others.
The governor also said the Goggle mapping project would ensure that businesses and landmarks were placed on Goggle maps towards e-commerce.
“I am determined to change the narrative. To that end, I am reviving and re-launching the Osun State Broadband Fiber Optic Project.
“Today, we will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Oodua Infraco to commence immediate deployment of Fiber Optics across the state.
“The first phase is to cover 64 kilometers without the state putting in any fund. This policy will change our state for the better. Osun indigenes are top leaders of the Nigerian and African tech sector.
“They are prominent tech entrepreneurs with billions of dollar capital base globally. We must tap into their expertise to grow our state,’’ he said.