Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has restated his commitment to generating over 26,000 direct and indirect jobs and injecting more than $14 million into the State’s economy every year through the ongoing Ekiti Knowledge Zone (EKZ) project. He made this known at the Ikogosi Resort during a Stakeholders’ Engagement Workshop on the EKZ initiative, where he was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Niyi Adebayo.
Governor Oyebanji said the EKZ project was created to position Ekiti State to fully benefit from the global technological shift. He described the stakeholders’ engagement as a proactive step that would ensure strong collaboration among all participants. He noted that the programme would help build trust, promote innovation, and support long-term success by bringing together different perspectives and preventing avoidable conflicts.
He urged participants to take the workshop seriously and engage actively, stressing that every stakeholder must understand and play their role in achieving the project’s overall goals. According to him, every institution involved must align with the collective vision, especially as technology continues to change the world rapidly through data, artificial intelligence, advanced research, and digital innovation.
The Governor said, “My government firmly believes that the prosperity of Ekiti State will be built on the strength of its people on their talents, creativity, resilience, and intelligence. That is why this initiative was conceived as a hub where government, academia, innovators, and the private sector can work together to solve real problems, accelerate public-sector transformation, and create new economic opportunities for our young people.”
He added, “My vision for the State is one where many young Ekiti people can work for global companies without leaving their communities. We will continue to provide an enabling environment not only to make the Knowledge Zone a success, but to make the entire State a model of progress and achievement.”
Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transformation and Service Delivery (OTSD), Dr. Moyo Ekundayo, highlighted the need for software and applications that solve real problems and add value to society. He urged stakeholders to look beyond academic certificates and focus more on how they can contribute to meaningful development. He also encouraged parents and guardians to allow their children to study courses they are passionate about so they can build long-term satisfaction and fulfillment.
The Project Coordinator of EKZ, Ms. Lolade Olutola, said the workshop represented a major step in positioning Ekiti as a top destination for innovation, technology, research, enterprise development, and competitive talent.
She explained that the engagement gathered a wide range of stakeholders, including MDAs, higher institutions, and cluster hubs. She described Governor Oyebanji as a visionary leader whose strong support for the Knowledge Zone continues to inspire all partners involved.
Chairman of the EKZ Steering Committee, Dr. Emmanuel Akinwumi, said the knowledge zone model has proven successful in many regions across the world. He pointed to California in the United States as a popular example, noting that such zones often attract clusters of industries and businesses wherever they are established.
He called on Ekiti indigenes in the diaspora to invest back home, explaining that everyone has the potential to drive positive change and that it is often easier to succeed and make meaningful impact at home than in other places.
