Ogun State Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adebola Sofela has called for seamless collaboration among government, academia and Industries to ensure that innovations are intentionally harnessed to solve problems in the country.
Sofela made this call while delivering the keynote address at the Science, Communication, Engineering, Management, Innovation and Technology (SCEMIT) Conference 2025 themed, “Bridging Innovation and Industry: Revamping Economies, Transforming The Future” held at the D.S Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori, Ewekoro Local Government Area of the State.
The Commissioner said stakeholders need to complement government efforts adding that the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration has been building a vibrant ecosystem that prioritised ICT, innovation and inclusive growth.
He noted that innovations like the Ogun TechHub, Digital Skills for All programme, Adire Digital Marketplace, Smart Agro-Industrial Parks, Window on America, Curriculum Reform in TVET institutions among others are being implemented by the present administration.
“I have advocated for Public-Private collaboration as Government cannot do it alone. We must actively collaborate either through interchange, internship, mutual exchanges via conferences of this nature for cross fertilisation of ideas,”
“A Polytechnic of this nature that has its major mandate as ICT, should collaborate with industries to provide solutions in the area of agriculture, agritech and other sectors,” Sofela said.
The Commissioner while linking innovation to ICT stressed that students of the D.S Adegbenro Polytechnic should leverage the ICT-focused education they are getting while also acquiring skills to solve problems.
“You are not the leaders of tomorrow, you are the leaders of today because the future is today. Don’t keep on deluding yourself. Leadership is about today. Today defines the future and the future is ICT. You are in the right institution if you put your mind to it. Please note that there is no career that is better than ICT at this time,” Sofela charged the students.
Also speaking, Chairman, Governing Council, D.S Adegbenro Polytechnic, Itori, Ambassador Toye Okanlawon lauded the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration for providing the enabling environment for the institution to continue to break new grounds among academic institutions in the country.
Ambassador Okanlawon added that apart from the positive rating of the institution by the National Board of Technical Education (NBTE) during its recent accreditation exercise the school is in the process of having an ICT Mix Hub.
In his welcome address, Rector, D.S Adegbenro Polytechnic, Itori, Dr. Goke Rauf urged participants at the conference to utilise the event as a platform to share ideas, challenge norms and build networks.
