Ogun State’s Head of Service, Kehinde Onasanya, has praised Governor Dapo Abiodun for spearheading a bold digital transformation agenda aimed at modernising the state’s civil service and enhancing governance through technology.
The commendation came as Onasanya declared open a two-day Executive Strategic Retreat on AI Leadership and Digital Transformation, organised by the Ogun State Government in partnership with GFA Technologies and supported by the United States Consulate General. The retreat, held at the state tech hub along Kobape Road in Abeokuta, brought together top-ranking officials across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Onasanya described the Abiodun administration as forward-thinking, noting that innovation and digital transformation are central to its governance model. According to him, the state has consistently prioritised technology-driven initiatives to improve efficiency, transparency, and service delivery.
“This retreat reflects a leadership that understands the urgency of adapting to global technological shifts and also demonstrates confidence in the capacity of the Civil Service to evolve,” he said.
He stressed the need for public servants to confront systemic inefficiencies such as delays in file processing, poor data accessibility, and fragmented administrative systems.
He noted that modern governance demands integrated, automated solutions capable of addressing complex challenges.
Highlighting ongoing reforms, the Head of Service cited key initiatives including OgunLearn, an education-focused digital platform, AI-enabled lesson planning tools, and the Ogun State Spatial Data Infrastructure, designed to enhance coordination and data sharing across MDAs.
Onasanya urged participants—comprising Permanent Secretaries, Directors-General, the Accountant-General, Auditors-General, and other senior officials—to embrace innovation and actively contribute to institutional change by fostering environments where new ideas can thrive.
In his remarks, the CEO of GFA Technologies, Adebola Omololu, said the retreat was designed to equip government officials with practical solutions to improve operations and boost Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). He commended Ogun State for its readiness to adopt innovation, describing it as a leader among sub-national governments in Nigeria.
A representative of the United States Consulate General, Tunji Oke, noted that the American Corner venue was established to promote partnerships, leadership development, and technological advancement, particularly in artificial intelligence.
Participants at the retreat expressed appreciation for the initiative, noting that the training would enhance service delivery, improve data management, and strengthen revenue generation across government institutions. Among them were senior officials including Lydia Fajounbo, Rotimiolu Akinlesi, Olayinka Elemide, and Olusegun Olaotan.
Others, such as Olubunmi Fatungase, Feyisara Bolarinwa-Adebowale, and Oluseye Ige, noted that the retreat provided valuable insights into leveraging digital platforms for improved governance, particularly in data collection, analysis, and overall service efficiency.
The initiative underscores Ogun State’s growing reputation as a leader in digital governance, with a clear focus on integrating artificial intelligence into public administration to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global landscape.
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