Olumbe Akinkugbe has always believed that technology should work for the people. After a successful 11-year career in the private sector—leading teams at global giants like Cisco and Dell Technologies—he returned home to help transform his own state. In a recent interview with Vanguard, he shared the story of how that transformation happened and why he is now ready to take his vision to the national stage.

A Proven Record: Tripling Ondo’s Revenue

When Olumbe was appointed Chairman of the Ondo State Information Technology Agency (SITA), he had a clear mission: make the government work like a modern business. One of his greatest wins was leading the implementation of a new digital financial system (the SAP ERP).

The results were life-changing for the state:

Massive Growth: By using technology to stop waste and manage funds better, the state’s monthly revenue jumped from N600 million to over N3 billion.

Efficiency: The government became faster and more transparent, ensuring that money meant for public projects actually reached the people.

Empowering the Grassroots: The Digital Village

But Olumbe didn't stop at government offices. He wanted to make sure the "tech revolution" reached every village. Through the Digital Village Project, he built ICT labs in rural areas so that even children who had never seen a computer could learn to code.

2,000 Graduates: Over 2,000 rural residents have now gained skills in coding, software design, and digital marketing.

Real Jobs: Today, many of these young people are earning an income from their new skills, proving that talent is everywhere, even in our smallest villages.

A Vision for Nigeria: The Knowledge Economy

Now, as he aspires to represent Ondo East and West in the House of Representatives, Olumbe is proposing a bold legislative agenda to build what he calls a "Knowledge Economy" for all Nigerians.

His plan for the nation includes:

Promoting STEM Education: Investing in science and technology skills for our children from primary school up to university level.

Labour Law Reform: Proposing new laws that actually protect the average Nigerian worker from bad treatment and provide a safety net when they need it most.

Better Healthcare: Building and equipping more health centers so that quality medical care is always close to home.

Community Development: Continuing to renovate our local schools and markets to restore the joy of trade and learning.

Built on Trust and Integrity

For Olumbe, leadership is not about "cosmetic" changes—it's about sustainable growth that lasts. He believes his greatest strength is the trust he has built with the people over the years.

"Every time I complete a project or renovate a school, the people are always excited but surprised that I came back to do what I said I would," he says. "That is how I have built trust over the years, and that’s why I’m confident in our future."