ECA signs the first technology tripate MOU in Nigeria: A Working Tripod of the Government, Innovators and the People

The success of any tech ecosystem stands on the tripod of: A willing government to provide the needed policy framework and investor friendly environment, equipped man power and a society that is ready to adopt the developed innovations.

As part of plans to make Akure the go –to place for innovative tech solutions in Sub-saharan Africa by 2024, the Emerging Communities Tech-Up Org has consistently partnered with all relevant stakeholders to deepen the growth of the community, increase engagement within and outside the ecosystem and also sponsor programmes that will help the surrounding community adopt the increasing innovative solutions.

This time in a bid to harness the vast benefits of information and communication technology, the Federal University of Technology, Akure and the Ondo State government in collaboration with emerging communities TechUp initiative (Akure TechUp) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the implementation of and development of the AKURE TECH HUB project in Akure. It will be situated in FUTA.

While speaking at the Event where the signing was done, The Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu emphasised the need for the state to be ICT compliant as it is one of the most important piece in achieving economic and societal development. He explains that the government is ready to champion a tech driven development to be led by the governor’s special assistant on ICT, Olumbe Akinkugbe.

“We are actually looking forward to a time when government businesses will be less cumbersome and automated…there is a connection between optimal outputs and being ICT Compliant” – Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN)

According to Olumbe, the state government will provide the initial investment and funding, support in securing partnerships, adoption and policy support, while FUTA will provide the space for the hub and the needed pool of talents (Innovators, technicians, mentors) and the AkureTechUp will provide the human resources to set up the hub and develop the overall framework to achieving set objectives.

“The tech hub is an initiative of the state government on information and communication technology that provides an enabling environment for different categories of youths and ICT enthusiasts to acquire and develop different skills in information and communication technology”- Olumbe Akinkugbe (SSA to the governor on ICT).

For the Vice Chancellor of FUTA, Professor Joseph Fuwape this is just the beginning, as there are plans to create more innovative solutions on renewable energy, biotechnology, food security and other areas of its core competence.

Conveners of the AkureTechUp Initiative, Joel Ogunsola and Aboluwarin Olaoluw David believe that this is just the beginning in the quest to make Akure the most preferred destination for digital solutions in the next eight years. The initiative has already lined up several programmes to achieve this goal.

As an ecosystem that has Government support, cutting edge thinking community of innovators and a technology based institution that provides a ready pool of educated youths…there is no stopping Akure, don’t you think so?