Equipping Nigeria's youth with genuine digital capabilities is fundamental to building the next economy, according to the Vice-Chancellor of Summit University, Offa, in Kwara State. Prof. Abiodun Aibinu made the remarks at the launch of the Icitify Digital Skills Empowerment Foundation on Saturday at Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, where he addressed an audience that included religious leaders, political candidates and other dignitaries. Speaking on the theme of building the digital future through investment in young people, Aibinu argued that an economy increasingly shaped by digital technology and artificial intelligence requires more than basic technology use.
The Vice-Chancellor drew a distinction between access to technology and actual digital skill. "Owning a smartphone does not automatically make someone digitally skilled," he said, adding that "Using AI to generate answers is not the same as knowing how to evaluate them, spot errors, and apply them responsibly." Aibinu stressed that Nigeria must move beyond teaching young people to use technology toward empowering them to create solutions, earn livelihoods and transform their communities through it. He identified artificial intelligence, data analytics and cyber security as fields transforming how Nigeria operates.
The Board Chairman of the foundation, Dr Taofeek Akinola, highlighted the scale of the challenge facing Nigeria. The country has approximately 110 million children and adolescents, representing nearly half its population, yet translating this demographic advantage into productive human capital remains difficult. "Too many young people lack the practical, digital and entrepreneurial skills needed to thrive in today's AI-driven economy," Akinola said. He called on federal, state and local governments to sponsor digital and vocational skills development at scale, and urged businesses to support large-scale training programmes beyond charitable donations.
The founder and convener of IDSEF, Mr Adelopo AbdulAzeez, said the digital future would be shaped not merely by devices but by people capable of using, adapting and developing technology. He said the foundation aimed to empower Nigerian youths regardless of background, gender or geographical location with practical digital and technological skills. "Investing in young people is an investment in the productive capacities of our communities and country," AbdulAzeez said.