In a recent article titled “IGNORING THE STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN OGUN STATE,” Wale Kuku, the Convener of the New Generation Good Governance Center (N3GC), highlighted the critical need for a strategic focus on science and technology in Ogun State. The article specifically addressed concerns about the perceived negligence of technology by the current Administration of His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun.

In the recently held “New Generation Tech Meet”, a Technology summit held in Sagamu, we caught up with Wale Kuku on the sidelines of the event for a quick interview.

Why did your group call out the State Government?

Everyone knows the transformational impact of science and technology. It’s been the leading driver of the world’s growth and advancements in the past 30yrs. The largest companies in the world are technology based, biggest economies are driven by science and technology. So why should Nigeria or Ogun state be any different? Anything contrary to this is Backwardness.

Any progress so far by the State Government?

We’ve not seen any significant moves by the State yet. But we’ll keep up with our advocacy. We are also massively playing our part in developing the Science and Technology sector in Ogun. We are working with several youths and youth based groups in Ogun East to develop several Tech based businesses. We are also launching Technology and incubation Hubs across the state.

New Generation would also be supporting the JETs club and other STEM programs in Secondary schools. I was the President of the JETS club in Secondary school. We would keep up with organising Hackathons, summits and science/ tech based events while we expand our capacity to incubate top ideas and creations and bring them to market.

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What are the Advantages that the state can leverage on?

Ogun State is the 2nd highest in internet and broadband subscription, with Lagos ahead of the pack. Also, the state has one of the highest number of Tertiary institutions and secondary schools in the country. Thirdly, Ogun state surrounds Lagos.

These are massive advantages and a ready market for science and tech based Products and Services and a value driven eGovernment ecosystem. It’s also a massive feedstock for training tech talents making the state a Brain Export center.

You spoke about a Technology roadmap

Yes. It’s the first of several roadmaps that the N3GC would be releasing covering different sectors. The roadmap which we call Gateway Digital is put together by top minds from Ogun state and would be launched soon. We believe that leveraging the 4th Industrial Revolution technologies would make Ogun state an Industrial and economic powerhouse.