‘Digital Capacity Building Key To Oyo State’s Growth’

As Oyo State confronts the realities of a rapidly transforming digital economy, the managing director of Remita Payment Services Limited, Mr DeRemi Atanda, has urged policymakers, business leaders, and institutions to move beyond conversations and take measurable action in preparing the state for the next era of digital competitiveness.

He stated this at the Jericho Businessmen Club 3rd Annual Socio-Economic Summit, held recently in Ibadan.

Speaking during a high-level panel session titled “Future-Ready Oyo State: Tech, Talent, and Transformation for a Thriving Tomorrow,” Atanda offered a compelling intervention that examined the structural, policy, and human capital foundations required for Oyo State to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world.

The panel, moderated by Dr Adetola Olateju, managing Partner, SeamHealth Group, featured notable voices, including Adebayo Akande, Senior Special Assistant (ICT & eGovernance) to Oyo State Governor; Babatunde Olaifa, Country Head of GoMyCode; Professor Bolanle Oladejo, Head of Department, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, University of Ibadan; and Dr Kazeem Kolawole Raji, Director General and CEO, National Board for Technology Incubation.

Together, they explored how technology could reshape work, strengthen industry readiness, and expand economic mobility in ways that position Oyo State for sustainable economic prosperity in the near future.

Anchoring his perspective on the relationship between technology, work, and society, Mr Atanda reminded participants that disruption is not a novel phenomenon, but rather a part of human evolution.

“Disruption is not unique to technology. Life itself disrupts. Every new phase brings change, and technology is simply the next expression of that truth,” he said.

He emphasised that Oyo State’s future will depend on its ability to anticipate and prepare its people for the evolution of jobs, saying, “Technology will change the way we work. The concern is whether we have planned adequately for the people who will be affected by that change.”

Addressing concerns about job displacement, he explained that fear will be greatest among those unprepared for digital transitions, adding that, “AI will not displace those who are ready for it. It only affects those who refuse to prepare.”

Drawing on national and global migration trends, Atanda urged a shift away from narratives that undermine local opportunity.

“There is no perfect country anywhere. If we do not celebrate our wins, the next generation will only be inspired by stories from elsewhere,” he said, calling for intentional reputation building and investment in digital confidence,’’ he said.

He painted a bold vision of inclusive prosperity for Oyo State, saying, “A future-ready Oyo State is one where digitally empowered citizens can earn globally while living locally. You do not need to leave Oyo State to earn beyond Oyo State.”

He further advocated for an education-to-employment pipeline that embeds digital fluency, practical skills, and meta-skills, such as critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving.