Osun govt to roll out funding support for tech start-ups
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Thursday disclosed that his administration is working on a sustainable funding framework for technology start-ups, with plans to provide grants and financial lifelines to emerging tech businesses in the state from the next fiscal year.
Adeleke made this known at the maiden edition of the Osun Tech Festival, where he outlined his government’s efforts to build a technology-driven economy. He stressed that digital innovation has been placed at the centre of governance since his administration assumed office in November 2022.
The governor said his administration met no tech policy or development structure on assumption of office, including a fibre-optic development plan, prompting deliberate reforms to establish policies and institutions that would support sector growth.
He explained that the government subsequently developed a state ICT policy, a technology innovation policy and domesticated the Nigeria Startup Act, alongside the creation of a Governor’s Advisory Council on ICT and Digital Economy to guide implementation and strengthen the operating environment for infrastructure providers, particularly in underserved communities.
Adeleke stated that the government reactivated the emergency call centre with toll-free number 293, advanced CCTV deployment under the Osun Safe City initiative, introduced a smart resident identity programme and expanded public internet access across communities through the Imole WiFi project.
He also announced investments in talent development, including the launch of AlphaStart Hub, described as the first state-owned founders’ hub, with plans to establish three additional hubs across the senatorial districts within a year at the proposed Osun Digital City. He added that the government introduced Imole EduPod, a solar-powered digital learning facility with offline computer-based testing capability.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Innovation, Science, Technology and Digital Economy, Maruf Dele Ayofe, said the Osun Tech Talent Programme will soon be launched to train youths in high-demand digital skills such as software development, data science and artificial intelligence, provide mentorship, and create opportunities required to transform ideas into globally relevant solutions.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Innovation, Science and Technology, Azeez Badmus, noted that technology is no longer optional for development, but the engine that drives modern economies.
