As the race for Oyo State’s 2027 governorship begins to take shape, Dr. Adewale Kolapo Kareem (AKK), a leading aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC), has reaffirmed his commitment to innovation-driven leadership, praising the ingenuity of Nigerian youth and highlighting the importance of technology in governance.
Dr. Kareem made these remarks while attending the grand finale of the NextGen Innovation Challenge in Paddington, London — a flagship event organized by the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) under the leadership of Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji.
The highlight of the event was the £1.5 million grand prize awarded to Al’amin Muhammed Idris, CEO of Interface Africa, for his work in expanding access to affordable solar energy solutions across underserved communities in Africa. Idris, representing Kaduna State, emerged victorious among 105 entries in categories ranging from Clean Energy and FinTech to HealthTech, Agritech, and Artificial Intelligence.
Describing the win as "a national inspiration," Dr. Kareem commended Idris for exemplifying the creativity and resilience of Nigerian youth.
> “This victory by Al’amin Muhammed Idris is not just a personal success but a beacon of what is possible when Nigerian youth are empowered to lead with innovation and purpose,” he said.
Dr. Kareem also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, under which the innovation challenge was initiated. He described the initiative as a critical tool for youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation, both at the national and sub-national levels.
During the event, the Oyo 2027 hopeful held a strategic dialogue with APC UK leadership, including the party’s UK Chairman, Barrister Fayemi, and the Mayor of Barking and Dagenham. The discussions centered on incorporating youth-led innovation into Oyo State’s development agenda and creating a governance model that leverages technology to improve lives.
> “Oyo State must not be left behind in the global innovation wave,” Dr. Kareem stated. “If elected, my administration will prioritize education, digital skills, and clean energy — not just as policies but as tools for inclusive and sustainable growth.”
The event concluded with renewed calls for stronger collaboration between government, private sector, and diaspora communities to bolster Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem and support homegrown solutions to local challenges.
As the 2027 elections approach, Dr. Kareem’s positioning as a forward-thinking, tech-savvy leader continues to gain momentum among youth and progressive stakeholders in Oyo and beyond.
