Oyo State Must Wake Up to the AI Opportunity
An open call from Ladele Ajao, an AI & Automation Specialist from Oyo State
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer some futuristic idea we read about in foreign magazines. It is already here shaping how we search for information, how businesses engage customers, and how students around the world are learning faster with digital tools that adapt to their needs.
I remember clearly back in 2008 at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH),
Ogbomoso, when Dr. Emuoyibofarhe O. Justice, now a Professor was teaching us Artificial
Intelligence. He told us then that AI was the future and that it would one day reshape the market. At the time, it sounded like something distant. Today, we are living in that reality. His words echo louder now than ever before.
The truth is simple: AI is moving quickly, and Oyo State cannot afford to be left behind. If we act
now, we can prepare our young people for a future full of opportunity. If we delay, we risk raising a generation that only consumes technology instead of creating it.
As a son of Oyo State, I believe this is the right time to ask the hard questions. Our state is already known for its culture and its reputation as a center of learning. Now, we have the chance to add technology to that identity and become a leader in Africa’s AI future.
Around the world, countries are moving fast. Rwanda is using AI to improve healthcare delivery. Kenya is applying AI in agriculture to help farmers predict rainfall and boost harvests. South Africa is deploying AI-powered tools in schools to support teachers. Even within Nigeria, Lagos and Abuja are already building ecosystems that attract global attention.
If Oyo delays, the gap will only widen. Our young people will grow up as users of foreign platforms TikTok, YouTube, ChatGPT instead of as builders of local solutions. This is not just about
technology; it is about jobs, competitiveness, and whether our state remains a center of relevance
in the 21st century.
AI should not be something students only hear about online. It should be part of how they learn
every day. Imagine secondary school students in Ibadan using AI tutors that adjust to their pace, or university students building simple chatbots that solve local problems. These are not luxuries they are skills that will define tomorrow’s job market.
And this is not only about math and science. AI can also help protect our culture. Think of an
AI-powered Yoruba language learning platform that helps children master their mother tongue while gaining confidence in global digital skills. This is how we preserve tradition while preparing for the future.
Many teachers in our schools still struggle with digital tools. With the right training, they can use AI to prepare lessons, track student progress, and free up time for real teaching. Teachers are the backbone of our education system. When they are confident, students thrive.
A government-backed training program supported by universities and private partners could transform classrooms in just a few years.
Traders, artisans, farmers, and small business owners in Oyo can all benefit from AI. A shopkeeper in Dugbe market could use a chatbot to answer customer questions. A farmer in Ogbomoso could receive AI-powered weather alerts and crop advice. A small manufacturer in Ibadan could use AI to monitor machines, reduce waste, and improve productivity.
These tools already exist today. The challenge is accessibility and this is where government,
business, and community organizations can make a real difference by sponsoring workshops,
supporting training, and ensuring that ordinary people have access.
No single arm of government can do this alone. It requires collaboration. Partnerships between
government, universities, technology companies, and community groups can create AI hubs and
innovation spaces across Oyo State where young people gain hands-on experience and
mentorship.
This is also where the private sector has a golden opportunity. Telecoms companies, banks,
agritech firms, and educational institutions can invest in AI initiatives that both strengthen their
businesses and uplift the community. Imagine an Oyo-based AI hub that trains thousands of young
people each year, creates jobs, and attracts international recognition.
Visual framework
If we do nothing, the cost will be enormous. Our schools will fall further behind. Our businesses will struggle against competitors in Lagos and abroad who are already using smarter tools. Our young people will migrate to where opportunities exist, leaving Ibadan and Oyo lagging behind.
But if we act, we can position Oyo as Nigeria’s next ICT hub. We can retain our brightest minds,
attract investment, and write a new chapter in our proud history as a center of learning and
progress.
The world is not waiting. Lagos is already moving. Abuja is already moving. Why not Ibadan? Why not Oyo? If we act today, Oyo can become Nigeria’s hub for AI creating jobs, improving schools, supporting businesses, and unlocking opportunities across the state. This is not just a task for government. It is a call to the private sector, educators, civil society, and every citizen who cares about the future of our state.
Oyo can be the place where a trader in Dugbe, a farmer in Ogbomoso, and a student in UI all use
AI every day, not as a luxury, but as a tool for survival and success. The opportunity is here. The only question is whether we will take it
Reference
1. Emuoyibofarhe O. Justice — Professor of Computer Science & Engineering, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.
About the Author
Ladele Ajao is an AI & Automation Expert from Oyo State, currently based in Australia. He is
passionate about helping businesses and communities embrace Artificial Intelligence for growth. Connect with him on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ladele-ajao
