The Oyo State Government has announced plans to collaborate with the University of Ibadan (UI) to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) solutions aimed at accelerating the growth of small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) across the state.
The State Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Commerce and Cooperatives, Adebisi Adeniyi, disclosed this during a courtesy visit by lecturers from the Department of Marketing and Consumer Studies at UI to his office at the State Secretariat in Ibadan.
The delegation was led by the Head of Department, Samuel Orekoya, and included academics such as Oluseyi Ajayi, Philip Ogunode, Adeola Ayodele, Oluwakemi Oreagba, and Ibukun Joledo.
Speaking during the meeting, Adeniyi underscored the importance of building a sustainable partnership between the state government and the university, noting that the collaboration should extend beyond a single event.
“We have a lot to achieve together beyond a one-day programme. For this initiative to be sustainable, we must prioritise training and equipping our personnel to support SMEs effectively,” the commissioner said.
He further stressed that the partnership should evolve into a structured framework that promotes continuous learning and engagement, adding that the government is fully committed to ensuring its success.
Adeniyi reiterated the commitment of Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration to fostering a business-friendly environment that encourages investment and supports enterprise development.
Earlier, Ajayi explained that the visit was partly to brief the state government on an upcoming departmental symposium scheduled for July 16, 2026.
The event, themed “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Business Survival and Expansion in the Knowledge Economy”, aims to strengthen collaboration between academia and government.
According to him, the initiative reflects a deliberate effort to deepen the “town-and-gown” model, where academic institutions actively contribute to economic development.
Ajayi noted that the programme is designed to bridge the gap between academic research and real-sector applications, while enhancing SMEs’ capacity to adapt to emerging technological trends.
He emphasised that SMEs remain a critical driver of Nigeria’s economy, particularly in Oyo State, adding that integrating AI into business operations could unlock new opportunities for growth and long-term sustainability.
“In 2024, we began working with the Ministry to support SMEs, and this is a continuation of that effort. Our objective is to ensure that businesses in Oyo State are not left behind in the global transition to AI-driven economies,” he said.
Ajayi added that the department is committed to translating academic knowledge into practical interventions that deliver measurable economic impact.
“This partnership is focused on equipping SMEs with the tools and insights needed to thrive in a competitive business environment,” he said.
Also speaking, Dayo Bello, a consultant and founder of Global Sight Services Limited, highlighted the importance of digital capacity building, particularly in artificial intelligence and user interface design, as a pathway to global competitiveness.
