TECH EXPERTS URGE NIGERIAN YOUTHS TO SEIZE DIGITAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELF-RELIANCE

Leading technology experts have called on Nigerian youths to fully embrace the digital revolution as a pathway to achieving self-reliance and economic independence in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.
The clarion call was made at the recently concluded Lagos Spring School in Digital Entrepreneurship and Digital Culture, a high-profile gathering that brought together prominent academics, successful entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to deliberate on technology’s transformative role in Nigeria’s economic future.
Convened by Professor Tunde Ope-Davies, founder of the Centre for Digital Humanities at the University of Lagos and former aide to the Lagos State Governor, the event focused on practical strategies to bridge the widening skills gap among Nigerian graduates, with particular emphasis on those from humanities backgrounds.
In his address, Professor Ope-Davies highlighted the democratizing effect of modern technology on business creation, noting that substantial capital investments are no longer prerequisites for launching innovative ventures. He cited the founders of ride-hailing giant Uber as a prime example of how two individuals with laptops built a billion-dollar enterprise, demonstrating the power of digital innovation with minimal initial resources.
The event’s keynote address was delivered by Tim Akano, Chief Executive Officer of New Horizon, who challenged young Nigerians to develop cutting-edge skills necessary for success in an AI-dominated future. Akano delivered a passionate call for continental technological advancement, urging Africa to “break free from historical disadvantages in global innovation.”
“Nigeria must exit the luggage compartment of humanity and leap into the front seat of technology to compete effectively with the rest of the world,” Akano asserted, emphasizing the urgency of technological adaptation.
Representing the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Folusho Afolabi-Leshi stressed the critical importance of integrating technology across educational curricula. He characterized technology not merely as a tool but as a catalyst for social development and empowerment.
Professor Afolabi Leshi issued a stark warning about the rapidly evolving job market, predicting that “numerous traditional occupations will become obsolete within the next five to ten years” due to accelerating technological advancements. He called on educational institutions to proactively equip students with relevant digital competencies to navigate this imminent transformation.
The Lagos Spring School initiative represents part of ongoing efforts by stakeholders to position Nigeria’s youth at the forefront of the global digital economy, equipping them with skills to become job creators rather than job seekers in an increasingly competitive marketplace.