Ado-Ekiti is gradually carving a reputation as an emerging hub for grassroots technology and light manufacturing, as the Ekiti State Office of Transformation and Service Delivery, OTSD, has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering innovation and youth-driven enterprise across the state. This renewed push came to the fore during a strategic visit to BAODEB-TECHNOLOGY, a fast-rising indigenous manufacturing outfit producing mobile device accessories within the state capital.
The visit, which followed an invitation by the company’s founder, Mr. Okundayo Odunayo, offered a glimpse into a quiet but significant shift taking place in Ekiti’s economic landscape. At a time when Nigeria continues to rely heavily on imported electronic accessories, the emergence of a local factory producing USB charging cables signals not just entrepreneurial resilience, but the possibility of a new industrial direction rooted in local capacity.
BAODEB-TECHNOLOGY, located within Ado-Ekiti metropolis, currently manufactures a range of essential connectivity products including USB-A Micro-USB cables, USB-A Type-C cables, USB-C fast charging cables, as well as data transfer and charging cables widely used across smartphones and digital devices. The company is also setting its sights on expanding into the production of phone chargers, power adapters, power banks, and other mobile accessories, positioning itself as a potential player in Nigeria’s growing consumer electronics value chain.
Leading the OTSD delegation, the Special Adviser and Director General, Engr. Dr. John Moyo Ekundayo, described the company as a compelling example of the kind of innovation the Ekiti State Government is keen to nurture. According to him, the rise of such indigenous enterprises aligns directly with the policy direction of the administration of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, which prioritises local production, job creation, and sustainable economic development.
Ekundayo stressed that beyond policy statements, the government is actively seeking out innovators and entrepreneurs whose work reflects practical solutions to economic challenges. He noted that BAODEB-TECHNOLOGY embodies the spirit of self-reliance and productivity that the state is determined to scale, especially among young people who represent a critical segment of Ekiti’s population.
The OTSD team was taken through the company’s production processes during the visit, gaining firsthand insight into the operational workflow, from material handling to assembly and quality checks. Discussions also focused on the realities confronting small-scale manufacturers, including access to funding, cost of raw materials, and the need for supportive infrastructure to enable expansion.
Despite these challenges, the delegation expressed satisfaction with the level of innovation and determination demonstrated by the company’s founder. Observers within the team noted that such enterprises, though modest in scale, carry the potential to catalyse broader industrial growth if properly supported through policy incentives, technical partnerships, and market access.
Speaking during the engagement, Mr. Okundayo Odunayo expressed appreciation for the recognition, describing the visit as both encouraging and validating. He noted that building a manufacturing business in a largely import-dependent sector requires persistence, innovation, and a belief in local capacity, adding that support from government institutions could significantly accelerate growth.
Odunayo further called for sustained collaboration between the public and private sectors, particularly in areas of financing, technical training, and patronage of locally made products. According to him, with the right ecosystem, Ekiti can evolve from a civil service-driven economy into a vibrant hub for small-scale industrial production and technological innovation.
Industry observers say the development reflects a broader trend in subnational economic thinking, where states are increasingly looking inward to stimulate growth through local enterprise rather than waiting for large-scale external investments. In Ekiti’s case, the emphasis on innovation-driven development appears to be gaining traction, especially as young entrepreneurs explore opportunities in manufacturing, agribusiness, and digital services.
The role of OTSD in this evolving narrative has become particularly significant. Positioned as a bridge between government policy and real sector impact, the agency is increasingly engaging with enterprises that demonstrate measurable contributions to service delivery and economic advancement. Its intervention strategy, stakeholders say, goes beyond oversight to active promotion of ideas that can scale into viable economic drivers.
For a state like Ekiti, long regarded for its intellectual capital but less so for industrial output, initiatives like BAODEB-TECHNOLOGY present a compelling case for rethinking development priorities. By supporting homegrown manufacturing, the state not only reduces dependence on imports but also retains value within its economy, creating jobs and stimulating ancillary businesses.
There is also a symbolic dimension to the development. The rise of a young entrepreneur from Ikere-Ekiti building a manufacturing brand within the state challenges long-held assumptions about where innovation can thrive. It suggests that with the right mix of vision, support, and persistence, smaller cities can become centres of production and technological creativity.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with unemployment and economic diversification challenges, the Ekiti model, though still evolving, offers a glimpse into how targeted government support and grassroots innovation can intersect to produce tangible outcomes. The visit to BAODEB-TECHNOLOGY, in this regard, goes beyond a routine inspection, representing a deliberate effort to spotlight and scale what works.
Members of the OTSD delegation who accompanied the Director General during the visit also echoed the need for continuous engagement with local enterprises, noting that sustained interaction will help government better understand industry needs and design responsive policies.
Ultimately, the engagement demonstrates a growing recognition that the future of economic development in states like Ekiti may well depend on the ability to identify, nurture, and expand small but impactful initiatives. As BAODEB-TECHNOLOGY continues to grow, it stands as both a product of individual ingenuity and a test case for the state’s ambition to build a resilient, innovation-driven economy.