DeRemi Atanda, managing director of Remita Payment Services Limited, has called on policymakers, business leaders, and institutions to move beyond rhetoric and take measurable steps to prepare Oyo State for the next era of digital competitiveness. He delivered this charge at the Jericho Businessmen Club 3rd Annual Socio-Economic Summit held in Ibadan.
Speaking during a high-level panel session themed “Future-Ready Oyo State: Tech, Talent, and Transformation for a Thriving Tomorrow,” Atanda presented a compelling intervention that examined the structural, policy, and human-capital foundations required for Oyo State to thrive in a rapidly changing digital landscape.
The panel, moderated by Dr. Adetola Olateju, Managing Partner of SeamHealth Group, featured Adebayo Akande, Senior Special Assistant (ICT and e-Governance) to the Oyo State Governor; Babatunde Olaifa, Country Head, GoMyCode; Professor Bolanle Oladejo, Head of Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence, University of Ibadan; and Kazeem Kolawole Raji, Director General/CEO, National Board for Technology Incubation. Together, they explored how technology could reshape work, expand economic mobility, and strengthen industry readiness to drive sustainable growth in Oyo State.
Anchoring his perspective on the intersection of technology, work, and society, Atanda reminded participants that disruption is 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 prosperity hinges on its ability to anticipate and prepare its people for shifts in the job market.
“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 fears of job displacement, he explained that anxiety will be highest among those unprepared for digital transition.
“AI will not displace those who are ready for it. It only affects those who refuse to prepare,” he added.
Referencing national and global migration trends, Atanda urged a shift away from narratives that undervalue local potential.
“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 stronger reputation building and investment in digital confidence.
He outlined a vision of inclusive, tech-driven prosperity for the 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 said.
Atanda further advocated for an education-to-employment pipeline that embeds digital fluency, practical training, and vital meta-skills such as collaboration, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
The session also highlighted the importance of policy coherence in driving systemic transformation. Atanda stressed the need for clear strategic direction from political leaders and urged the Jericho Businessmen Club to take a more active civic role in shaping governance priorities and ensuring policy continuity across administrations.
He also called for strengthened institutional frameworks around technology governance, warning that capacity without coordinated policy 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.
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