Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has expressed readiness of his administration to collaborate with the African Development Bank and tap into opportunities provided by the organisation through its $618m tech fund.
The governor directed the establishment of a support desk for Osun tech innovators and entrepreneurs to access the recently launched $618m tech fund by the AfDB.
A statement by the spokesperson to the governor, Olawale Rasheed, obtained in Osogbo on Sunday, said that while reacting to the initiative, Adeleke commended AfDB President, Dr Akinwumi Adesina.
He said the administration he led had created enabling environment for Osun tech ecosystem, citing the recently unfolded state ICT Policy, State Tech Innovation Policy, domestication of Nigeria’s Startup Act, the flag off of the state’s broadband fiber optic project and the establishment of a Digital Advisory Board.
Adeleke stated, “I am delighted to appreciate the African Development Bank which has set up a $618m fund to support the technology and creative sector in Nigeria.
“This is a great initiative spearheaded by Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, the Nigerian president of the African Development Bank in partnership with our Federal Government and I would like to commend him for his visionary leadership and dedication to the development of our country.
“As the governor of Osun State, I am pleased to announce that the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology has been instructed to set up a desk to assist all technology and creative sector entrepreneurs in Osun State to apply and access this fund. The desk will provide comprehensive guidance and support to all interested applicants, ensuring that the application process is seamless and efficient.”
He added that, “We are also exploring partnerships with the African Development Bank to support programmes in the technology and creative sector in our state. We will be reaching out to the bank soon to discuss how we can collaborate and leverage this fund and other opportunities to create a vibrant and innovative ecosystem in Osun State.”
He urged technology and creative sector entrepreneurs in Osun to engage directly with the government and register as stakeholders operating within the state.
