The Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) senatorial candidate for Oyo South, Hon. Adedeji Dhikrullahi Olajide Odidiomo, has pledged to push digital inclusion in Ibarapa to the forefront of his legislative agenda.
Speaking during a live virtual session, the federal lawmaker stressed that expanding the Oyo South digital economy requires extending modern technological infrastructure far beyond the urban limits of Ibadan into rural communities.
Prioritising Digital Inclusion in Ibarapa Beyond Urban Centres
Addressing over 200 young participants during an Independence Day X Space discussion titled “Where Are the real Opportunities for Young People in Oyo State?”, Odidiomo outlined his strategic vision for equitable economic growth across the district.
The interactive dialogue gave the candidate a platform to explain how local political leadership can widen economic pathways for the youth. He noted that while major urban areas have seen rapid progress, rural zones now demand immediate, targeted investment to bridge the tech divide.
According to Odidiomo, initiatives aimed at shrinking the digital gap in Ibadan have achieved notable success, with more than 60 per cent of the target area covered. He declared that the Ibarapa axis forms the next critical frontier in his overall development schedule.
Building Youth Tech Skills in Oyo State Through Local Ecosystems
Odidiomo made it clear that his strategy extends far beyond basic hardware donations or simple facility setups. Instead, his team aims to build a self-sustaining ecosystem where young people can obtain vital youth tech skills in Oyo State, enabling them to secure remote jobs, launch technology start-ups, and enter the broader global market.
Without direct, hands-on training and structured modern facilities, rural communities risk falling further behind as digital markets expand across Nigeria.
Solving the Ibarapa Electricity Supply Deficit for Lasting Impact
However, the candidate warned that technology infrastructure alone cannot solve the problem without reliable power infrastructure. He identified stable Ibarapa electricity supply as an essential prerequisite for any meaningful, long-term technological advancement in the region.
“One of the issues I have on my agenda is to tackle the issue of power supply to Ibarapaland. Without stable electricity, we can’t achieve the goal.”
To tackle this challenge directly, Odidiomo revealed plans to initiate strategic partnerships with the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) and the Oyo State Independent Power Project. These collaborations aim to stabilize energy access across Ibarapaland, establishing the necessary power base for sustained digital growth.
By fixing the local energy deficit, Odidiomo aims to bring Ibarapa to parity with other sectors of the Oyo South district. For young residents, true digital access must lead to real, measurable outcomes: actionable tech training, remote employment options, tech-driven business ventures, and direct entry into the expanding digital marketplace.
