Ososo Kingdom Deepens Digital Penetration Under Oba Bamidele Obaitan

Yinka Olatunbosun

In a decisive move that signals a new chapter for rural development in Edo State, the Olososo of Ososo Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Oba Bamidele Obaitan, has deployed five satellite internet devices across the kingdom’s five constituent communities.

The initiative, aimed primarily at empowering young people, represents more than the introduction of internet connectivity. It is a strategic investment in education, innovation, safety and economic opportunity; one that makes a clear statement that Ososo intends to compete, learn and grow in the digital age.

“For our youth, access to information is access to possibility,” the King noted. “Technology levels the playing field. When our young people can learn, communicate, and innovate without barriers, they can build futures that were previously out of reach.”

For many rural communities in Nigeria, limited connectivity has restricted access to education, skills development and global opportunity. In Ososo, that gap is now being closed.

With the generous support of Mr Gary Wills, a United States-based philanthropist and patron of Ososo Kingdom, five Starlink satellite internet devices have been donated to serve the kingdom’s five communities. The technology enables reliable, high-speed connectivity even in remote areas, allowing Ososo to bypass longstanding infrastructure challenges and move directly into the digital age.

Each of the five devices has been designated to serve a community hub, ensuring equitable access across the kingdom. Plans are already underway to implement governance frameworks that prioritise safety, responsible use, and long-term sustainability.

The implications of this initiative extend far beyond browsing or communication. With reliable internet access, Ososo’s youth can now engage in online learning, digital skills training, remote work, entrepreneurship and global collaboration.

From software development and digital marketing to agricultural innovation and e-commerce, the opportunities unlocked by connectivity are vast. For a community rich in natural beauty, culture and human capital, digital access provides the tools to convert potential into progress.

Oba Bamidele Obaitan’s vision also links technology to broader development goals. Digital connectivity strengthens tourism by enabling storytelling, promotion, online bookings, and global visibility. Ososo’s landscapes, cultural festivals, and heritage sites can now be showcased to a global audience – directly by the people who live there.

In agriculture, internet access supports modern farming techniques, market access, price transparency, weather forecasting, and value-chain participation. For a kingdom where farming remains central to livelihoods, digital tools can significantly improve productivity and income.

What sets Ososo’s approach apart is its leadership-driven, community-first ethos. Rather than waiting for external intervention, the kingdom is proactively shaping its future and aligning traditional leadership with modern solutions.

The digital initiative reflects a broader philosophy embraced by the Crown: that security, food sufficiency, and access to knowledge form the foundation upon which all other development must stand.

With these digital hubs in place, Ososo is positioning itself as a model for how rural communities can embrace innovation without losing identity. As governance structures mature and usage expands, the vision is clear: a kingdom where every man, woman, and child has access to the same information and opportunities as anyone else in the world.

In Ososo, the King has ensured that the future is no longer something to wait for. It is being built, connection by connection.