The Kwara State Government has officially signaled a new era of administrative efficiency with the flag-off of the “Project 774: Digital Capacity Training” at the Ilorin West Local Government Secretariat. This initiative, part of a nationwide rollout across some states in the country underscores the state’s leadership in digital innovation. Kwara was selected as a primary beneficiary due to the sustained investment in technology-driven governance by the Executive Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq CON.
During the ceremony, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Digital Innovation, Hon. Kayode Ishola, emphasized that the program is strategically aligned with the President’s local government autonomy framework. He noted that the pilot phase is currently active across five local governments, focusing on hands-on practical to bridge the gap between grassroots administration and international developmental bodies. “Governor AbdulRazaq has provided all necessary resources for the success of this 12-week intensive program,” Hon. Kayode stated. “Our goal is to digitize local government operations and ensure that Ilorin West is no longer restricted by analogue systems.”
The program features 50 selected participants who will undergo rigorous training in digital literacy and office automation. Highlighting the long-term vision of the initiative, Hon. Kayode added, “The best-performing participants will receive advanced training at the Ilorin Innovation Hub. These individuals will become the dedicated ICT team for the local government, serving as champions to transmit this digital knowledge down to the grassroots community”
In his response, the Executive Chairman of Ilorin West Local Government, Hon. Shehu Abdulrahman Ladan, expressed gratitude to the Governor for prioritizing his council area. He acknowledged that while the local government has historically relied on manual processes, this digital shift is a necessary evolution. “I thank His Excellency for finding Ilorin West worthy of this selection,” the Chairman remarked. “This training will fundamentally change our operations and make our service delivery far more effective for the people.”
Addressing the trainees directly, Hon. Shehu Ladan urged them to view the opportunity as a career-defining milestone rather than a mere workshop. He emphasized the personal value of the skills they are set to acquire, noting that digital proficiency remains a relevant asset throughout one’s professional journey. “I urge every participant to attach the utmost importance to this program. The skills you learn here will remain useful and valuable to you even long after your retirement,” the Chairman advised.
The event concluded with the Chairman officially declaring the training open, marking a significant step toward the institutional strengthening of Kwara’s local councils. With the full backing of the state government, the Project 774 trainees are expected to lead the charge in transforming Ilorin West into a digitally compliant and transparent administrative hub, setting a benchmark for other local governments in the region.
