By Justus Adetomiwa
Ondo State is positioning itself as a frontrunner in Africa’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution, with the unveiling of a strategic plan to integrate AI into governance, public service and economic development.
The unveiling took place at the Ondo State Artificial Intelligence Adoption Summit 2025, held at the ODIRS Event Hall in Akure
In his keynote address at the event, Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa represented by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, described AI as a transformative tool capable of improving efficiency, transparency and inclusivity in governance.
“AI is not just a tool; it is the future of service delivery and innovation,” he said, emphasising the state’s commitment to investing in digital infrastructure and training human capital to meet emerging technological demands.
Governor Aiyedatiwa urged public and private stakeholders to adopt AI responsibly, highlighting that its role is to enhance human potential and create new opportunities, rather than replace jobs.
The two-day summit, themed “Driving Governance Efficiency and Inclusive Development Through Responsible AI Adoption,” was organised by the Ondo State Information Technology Agency (SITA) in collaboration with academia, civil society, and private sector partners.
In his welcome remarks, SITA Chairman, Hon. Tomide Akinribido, stressed that Ondo’s aim is to transition from a consumer to a creator of technology, with AI applications spanning agriculture, healthcare, education and public administration.
The keynote lecture delivered by Daisi Omokungbe of Promad Infotech Foundation, outlined strategies for ethical and strategic AI deployment in the public sector. Omokungbe proposed a three-phase plan involving capacity building, scalable pilot projects and inclusive stakeholder participation, calling for the training of at least 2,500 civil servants in AI applications by 2027.
He highlighted AI’s potential to improve project monitoring, detect financial anomalies and drive efficiency across key sectors, urging policymakers to integrate technology responsibly.
The summit featured panel discussions and technical sessions on AI ethics, cybersecurity, e-governance and digital economy frameworks.
Participants include policymakers, entrepreneurs, youth innovators and academics, while exhibitions showcase AI solutions for public service, agriculture and education.