Obaseki Launches Edo State Innovation Hub in Benin City to Drive Tech-Driven Development, Empower Youth

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has inaugurated the Edo State Innovation Hub in Benin City, describing it as a key initiative for fostering digital skills and technological innovation among young people across the state. 

The event took place on October 28, 2024, at the newly established facility, positioned in the heart of Benin City to catalyze economic growth, skill acquisition, and entrepreneurship within Edo's youth population.

Highlighting the state’s push towards a tech-driven economy, Obaseki expressed his commitment to creating opportunities that would engage youth in the digital sector, stating, “This innovation hub is more than just a building; it’s a launchpad for dreams and a gateway to the future for our young people. We recognize the vast potential of our youth, and this facility will give them the skills, mentorship, and resources they need to thrive in a digital world.”

The governor recounted the challenges faced in stemming youth migration and unemployment, attributing the high emigration rates in 2016 to a lack of local opportunities. He emphasized that the hub was part of his administration’s broader strategy to equip residents with skills that would empower them to build meaningful careers at home rather than seeking prospects abroad. “In 2017, we faced a situation where tens of thousands of our youth sought greener pastures outside the country. This was not because they lacked talent but because they lacked platforms to grow and innovate. Today, we’re bridging that gap,” Obaseki noted.

The new innovation hub boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including co-working spaces, tech labs, training centers, and collaboration zones designed to encourage creativity and entrepreneurship. The hub will offer training programs across digital skills like coding, data analytics, AI, and digital marketing, partnering with tech industry leaders to deliver hands-on workshops and mentorship. Through these programs, the facility aims to produce a workforce prepared for careers in emerging technologies.

Obaseki explained that the project is part of a broader vision to position Edo as a hub for technology and entrepreneurship in Nigeria. “We don’t want to produce only certificate holders. We want to cultivate creators, innovators, and job generators. Our goal is to turn Edo into a technology and innovation center that not only supplies talent locally but also competes globally,” he said.

The event was attended by top government officials, representatives from tech companies, and key players in the Nigerian startup ecosystem. Dignitaries, including Edo State Deputy Governor Engr. Omobayo Godwins and First Lady Dr. Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, shared the governor’s enthusiasm, pledging support for the hub’s programs and initiatives.

As a commitment to the longevity and impact of the hub, Obaseki announced that even after his tenure, he would remain actively involved in supporting the institution and its mission. "Innovation and growth are ongoing processes, and my journey with this hub will not end here. I’m dedicated to ensuring that our youth remain at the forefront of a digital, thriving economy," he concluded.

The innovation hub represents a significant step in Edo State’s drive towards sustainable development, positioning it as a technology and entrepreneurship nucleus in Nigeria, focused on bridging the gap between potential and opportunity for its youth.