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ONDO COMMITTED TO LEVERAGING DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES TO ENHANCE ENERGY LANDSCAPE — ENGR ALABI
The Honourable Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Engr. (Dr.) Johnson Jaiyeola Alabi, has reiterated that under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, the Ondo State Government remains steadfast in its commitment to harnessing the full potential of digital infrastructure and innovation to drive inclusive and sustainable economic growth across the state.
Engr. Alabi made this known while delivering his lecture as Guest Speaker at the 21st International Conference and Exhibition on Power and Telecommunications (ICEPT 2025), organized by the Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (NIEEE), held in Osogbo, Osun State.
Speaking on the conference theme, “Digital Infrastructure and Innovation for Inclusive Economic Growth,” the Commissioner described it as both timely and strategic, noting that it directly addresses the urgent need to modernize infrastructure, embrace emerging technologies, and ensure economic growth that is both accelerated and inclusive.
According to him, ICEPT has consistently provided a platform for intellectual exchange, professional collaboration, and policy dialogue.
“As Nigeria confronts economic headwinds, the imperative to leverage digital technologies to upgrade our ageing infrastructure and unlock new growth opportunities has never been more critical. This conference, therefore, provides a unique opportunity to forge practical solutions that will shape our national development agenda,” he said.
Engr. Alabi emphasized that innovation remains the engine of progress that transforms ideas into solutions and challenges into opportunities — an approach that the Ondo State Government has deliberately adopted.
Highlighting key innovations within the energy sector, the Commissioner mentioned the O’Datiwa Metering Programme, through which over 15,000 electricity meters have been installed within eleven months, ensuring fairness and transparency in electricity billing.
He also cited other landmark achievements such as:
The transfer of regulatory oversight from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to the Ondo State Electricity Regulatory Bureau (OSERB), enabling locally tailored electricity policy;
The creation and incorporation of the Ondo State Power Company (OSPC) to maximize benefits from power sector decentralization;
Solar partnerships with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the development of smart mini-grids across underserved communities from Akure to Ilaje;
And the commissioning of the 132/33KV Ode-Erinje transmission substation, now delivering reliable electricity to over 2,000 communities across five local government areas and beyond.
“These projects are not just infrastructure,” Engr. Alabi stated, “they are instruments of empowerment, economic revitalization, and social inclusion.”
He urged participants to seize the moment to chart a bold and inclusive path forward,
“Let us embrace innovation, invest in infrastructure, and empower our people to build a future that is connected, competitive, and compassionate. Inclusive economic growth is not a slogan—it is a responsibility.”
Commending NIEEE for sustaining this flagship conference since 2000, Engr. Alabi added “Let ICEPT 2025 be remembered as the conference where bold ideas were born, partnerships were strengthened, and where the future of Nigeria’s power and telecommunications sectors took a decisive leap forward.”
In his remarks, the Governor of Osun State, His Excellency, Senator Ademola Adeleke, represented by the Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Sunday Oroniyi, welcomed participants, describing the conference theme as one designed to provoke thought and inspire innovation in a rapidly evolving world of power and telecommunications.
“The progress of any nation today is closely tied to how well it harnesses electrical and communication technologies to drive productivity, inclusiveness, and security,” he noted.
The Chairman of the Opening Ceremony, DG/CEO of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Abdullahi, represented by the Zonal Coordinator (NITDA) Kano, Alhaji Mohammed Saliu, commended NIEEE for its enduring commitment to advancing the frontiers of technology.
He observed that the conference theme aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s national agenda which prioritizes technology, innovation, and digital inclusion as the foundation for Nigeria’s economic diversification and prosperity.
He further emphasized that reliable energy and resilient connectivity remain the twin foundations upon which the digital economy rests.
“Without them, the vision for smart cities, AI-driven governance, and inclusive digital prosperity cannot be achieved,” he stated.
Among dignitaries present were the President and Chairman-in-Council of NIEEE, Engr. Felix Olu, FNIEEE; Commissioner for Energy, Osun State, Hon. Festus Adeyemi; Former Vice President of NIEEE, Engr. Felix Ibitoye; other NIEEE Executive Committee members; representatives of the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA); the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC); security agencies; and top government officials.
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