Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has projected the state as a future global hub for the knowledge economy, with technology, culture and tourism identified as key drivers of sustainable growth and prosperity over the next three decades. He said his administration would continue to focus on innovation, competence and the ability to turn knowledge into economic value as it works to reposition the state by 2056.

The governor spoke in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday in his keynote address at the Ekiti at 30 Future Summit, organised as part of activities marking the 30th anniversary of the creation of Ekiti State. He stressed that certificates alone could no longer build industry, create jobs, mechanise agriculture or compete in a technology-driven global economy.

Oyebanji unveiled a 30-year vision for the state and challenged the present generation to plant the seeds of a new era rather than simply celebrate past achievements. He said the summit was designed to give young people and other stakeholders a platform to discuss the future and develop ideas that could shape government policies and development plans.

He envisioned an Ekiti where agriculture becomes a modern, technology-driven and profitable enterprise with a complete value chain covering production, processing, packaging, logistics and export. He also called for the state to become a major centre of the knowledge economy, producing software developers, digital creators, researchers, engineers and technology entrepreneurs who can work for the world without leaving their communities.

The governor identified the state’s waterfalls, warm springs, historic sites, festivals, cuisine, music and artistic traditions as economic assets capable of creating jobs. Traditional rulers, including the Ewi of Ado Ekiti and the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, reflected on the sacrifices that led to the state’s creation in 1996 and called for collective efforts to sustain development. The event also featured the presentation of prizes to winners of an essay competition on the dream and agenda for the next 30 years.