Ondo State @50: From Resource Wealth To A Skills-Driven Future

BY OLURANTI NETUFO

As Ondo State marks 50 years of existence, this milestone presents an important moment to reflect on our journey and, more importantly, to redefine our future.

The early decades of Ondo State were shaped by visionary forefathers and successive administrations that laid foundations in education, agriculture, and public service.

Over time, the discovery of oil in the coastal areas introduced a new economic era one that positioned Ondo as part of Nigeria’s oil-producing states and tied development largely to mineral and natural resource wealth. For many years, oil defined economic expectations, public revenue, and development planning.

However, history has shown that resource-dependent growth has limits. While oil and other mineral resources contributed to development over the past 50 years, the global landscape has changed. We are now firmly in an era where technology, innovation, and skills have become the most valuable assets of any economy. Across the world, technology-driven outputs increasingly surpass oil revenues, reshaping industries, creating new forms of wealth, and redefining competitiveness. This transition signals a critical turning point for Ondo State: the next phase of growth cannot rely solely on what lies beneath the soil, but on what can be created through human capital.

Looking ahead to the next 50 years, Ondo State has a unique opportunity to reposition itself as a technology-based and skills-driven economy.

With strategic assets such as the proposed deep seaport, refinery prospects, and free trade zone initiatives, the state stands at the intersection of infrastructure and innovation.

Yet, these opportunities can only deliver sustainable impact if matched with deliberate investment in skills development particularly for the youth population, which represents the state’s greatest resource.

A future-ready Ondo State must prioritise technical education, digital skills, vocational training, and entrepreneurship to ensure its people can fully participate in and benefit from emerging economic opportunities.

Ultimately, Ondo State at 50 is not just a story of the past; it is a call to action for the future. The next five decades should be defined by how effectively the state transforms its youthful population into skilled professionals, innovators, and creators who can drive technology-led growth. By shifting focus from oil dependency to skills, technology, and innovation, Ondo State can secure a more resilient, inclusive, and prosperous future one where development is driven not by finite resources, but by limitless human potential.

–Oluranti Netufo is an Abuja-based businessman