OpEd | Of Kwara Smart City for Hungry Citizens

By Abdullateef Taiye Ahmed

The Kwara State Government recently announced ambitious plans to develop a smart city in Ilorin, touting it as a leap into the future of urban living. This initiative, though technologically progressive, contrasts with the harsh socioeconomic realities currently faced by the majority of its population, including pervasive poverty, unemployment, low literacy rates, and a deteriorating healthcare system.

The concept of a smart city, inherently innovative and forward-looking, is designed to leverage technology to enhance urban life. However, such advancements presume a baseline of well-being that Kwara sadly does not meet. In the face of widespread deprivation and educational deficits, the pursuit of a smart city project not only seems out of touch but also potentially wasteful of the state’s limited resources.

A smart city is predicated on the digital literacy of its residents. However, in Kwara, where literacy rates are distressingly low, particularly among women and children, how can we expect such a project to be inclusive or beneficial? A city cannot be smart when a significant portion of its population lacks the basic education to engage with the technology it offers.

The state’s healthcare system is in dire straits, characterized by insufficient facilities and a dearth of medical professionals. Globally, robust healthcare systems are foundational to smart city initiatives. Before we can dream of digital advancement, the physical health of the populace must be secured and prioritized.

The economic justification for a smart city in a state still grappling with fundamental socio-economic challenges is questionable. The considerable funds required could be more effectively used to address more pressing issues such as job creation, agricultural development, and public health—sectors that directly impact the well-being and survival of the populace.

So, in essence, my stance is that, before Kwara can truly benefit from the efficiencies of a smart city, it must first lay the groundwork by ensuring that its citizens are healthy, educated, and economically secure. Only then can it hope to build a smart city that is inclusive, sustainable, and truly beneficial to all its residents.