As Oyo State confronts the realities of a rapidly transforming digital economy, ‘DeRemi Atanda, managing director of Remita Payment Services Limited, 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 delivered this charge at the Jericho Businessmen Club 3rd Annual Socio-Economic Summit, held on Friday, 21 November 2025, in Ibadan.
Speaking during a high-level panel session themed “Future-Ready Oyo State: Tech, Talent, and Transformation for a Thriving Tomorrow”, Mr 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 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. “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,” he noted.
Addressing concerns about job displacement, he explained that fear will be greatest among those unprepared for digital transitions. “AI will not displace those who are ready for it. It only affects those who refuse to prepare,” he added.
Drawing on national and global migration trends, Mr 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 painted a bold vision of inclusive prosperity for Oyo State. “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 explained.
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.
The session also examined the importance of policy coherence in driving state transformation. Mr Atanda stressed the need for clear direction from political leaders. He encouraged the Jericho Businessmen Club to assume a more active civic role by shaping the leadership agenda and ensuring continuity between administrations. He also called for stronger institutional structures around technology governance, cautioning that capacity without policy alignment risks fragmentation.
“The prosperity of Oyo State is tied to the adoption of technology. The Office of the Special Assistant on ICT and E-Governance must be given prominence because it serves as the bridge between government and the broader technology ecosystem,” he said.
To reinforce accountability, Mr Atanda proposed a quarterly interface between the state’s technology leadership and the ICT ecosystem, noting that consistent cycles of engagement would signal genuine commitment to digital transformation.
Beyond governance and policy, he highlighted the economic potential of digital empowerment, citing examples from within and outside Nigeria.
Oyo State, with its vibrant population, extensive network of tertiary institutions and training centres, and one of the region’s most dynamic youth communities, stands at a strategic advantage to accelerate digital competitiveness.
He referenced global data showing that digitally skilled workers are twice as likely to secure high-growth employment, underscoring why “digital empowerment must be treated as an economic imperative, not an academic exercise.”
In closing, Mr Atanda urged all stakeholders to transform the summit discussions into a blueprint for action.
“This is an agenda-setting platform. Let us define what we want to see in the next five years and insist that those aspiring to lead Oyo State address these ambitions clearly,” he said.
His contribution offered both a challenge and a pathway forward, establishing technology, policy clarity, and digital talent development as the non-negotiable pillars of a future-ready Oyo State.
