Former Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, has urged the folks of Ikenne in Ogun State to set a daring imaginative and prescient of reworking the city into a number one hub for Artificial Intelligence and know-how in Africa.
Osinbajo gave the cost on Friday in Ikenne whereas delivering a lecture on the fiftieth Ereke Day Anniversary, Community Awards and Investiture of 2026 Ambassadors, organized by the Ikenne Development Association, IDA.
Speaking on the way forward for the historic city, the previous Vice President mentioned the next 10 and 50 years can be outlined by AI, and Ikenne has what it takes to be on the forefront.
He challenged the neighborhood to dream large, noting that nice transformations begin with daring concepts that many initially doubt.
He recalled how the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo was informed by colonial authorities that free schooling was not possible, however he proved them mistaken. He additionally cited ValueJet airline, owned by Ikenne son, (*50*) Soname, saying if anybody had predicted 10 years in the past that residents may fly from Ikenne axis to Abuja in the morning and return identical day, many would have dismissed it.
According to Osinbajo, Ikenne already has one of many highest concentrations of small and medium enterprises per sq. kilometre even with out deliberate planning, and will obtain extra with a transparent roadmap.
He due to this fact proposed an Ikenne 2036 Plan, a 10-year improvement blueprint with outlined priorities, prices and yearly measurable targets.
Osinbajo mentioned the plan ought to place Ikenne as a centre for AI-enabled schooling and for constructing AI instruments, alongside the present curriculum.
He referenced Taiwan, a small island about 81 miles from China, which now produces a big share of the world’s microchips, to present that dimension shouldn’t be a limitation however imaginative and prescient and willpower matter.
To obtain the purpose, he advisable a sturdy STEAM programme – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics – with early introduction of AI literacy from main faculty, robotics, AI-powered studying instruments and well-equipped laboratories.
He cited a studying centre in Maiduguri the place youngsters orphaned by insurgency, who initially couldn’t converse English or Hausa, turned proficient in robotics, know-how and English inside 5 years when given alternative and help.
Osinbajo pressured the necessity to retrain academics as facilitators of AI-assisted studying and robotics, companion with Chinese colleges with robust AI curricula, and set up a campus devoted to AI and superior programs that would offer options in agriculture, healthcare, schooling and finance.
He urged the city not to accept small ambitions however to pursue what others haven’t dared.
In his remarks, President of Ikenne Development Association, Otunba Olufemi Allen, described the celebration as historic, saying Osinbajo’s presence added immense worth to the event.
Allen mentioned IDA stays dedicated to selling unity and preserving the cultural heritage of Ikenne for future generations, in line with the beliefs of its founding fathers.
