The Federal Government on Friday trained about 210 youths in Oyo State on digital marketing, cybersecurity basics, remote work, and technology-enabled entrepreneurship.
The digital literacy and empowerment programme was facilitated by a lawmaker representing Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West Federal Constituency and a Governorship aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Stanley Olajide, in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency.
The event was held at Dapo Aderogba Hall, Nigeria Union of Journalists state Secretariat, Iyaganku Government Reserved Area, Ibadan, the state capital.
Olajide, popularly called Odidiomo, explained that his priorities include establishing tech and innovation hubs to position Ibadan as the technology capital of the South-West.
The chairman of the House Committee on Digital, Information Communication Technology and Cybersecurity described the practical as a response to the challenge of youth unemployment and the urgent need to bridge the digital divide.
He said, “I serve as a representative and remain actively engaged in committees related to ICT, cybersecurity, and other areas of technology. Technology is not just a field for me; it is a passion.
“A key priority is how we can empower our youth, both men and women, by equipping them with the skills they need to succeed. This is central to everything I do, because the future of Nigeria depends on them,” he said.
The lawmaker indicated that the programme is being expanded in phases, with additional cohorts already scheduled to scale its impact beyond the current beneficiaries.
“Regarding this programme, we have about 210 beneficiaries participating today, with an additional 150 set to begin next week. This will bring the total to approximately 360 participants in this phase. We plan to run up to ten phases before the end of the year; this is the second phase, following an earlier one held late last year.
“Beyond training, participants received financial support ranging between N30,000 and M50,000 to help them launch digital ventures. This move was deliberately structured to ensure immediate access and transparency.
“Each participant is receiving financial support, between N30,000 and N50,000, to help them get started. I made it a point that these funds be given in cash to avoid any issue related to network failures or delays in transfers, ensuring transparency and that everyone receives what they are entitled to,” he explained.
Olajide stressed that the programme represented only a foundational step in a longer-term plan to integrate Nigerian youths into emerging global technology ecosystems, including artificial intelligence and blockchain.“We must provide young people with the right tools and knowledge to prepare them for what lies ahead. This training programme is only a starting point.
“We intend to build on it with more advanced opportunities, including areas like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and other emerging technologies. However, for these to be effective, there must be a strong foundation, and that is what we are laying now,“ Olajide said.
Drawing comparisons with global best practices, he pointed to India’s transformation through sustained investment in technology training, noting that similar efforts could reposition Nigerian cities as innovation hubs.
“I often reflect on how countries like India addressed youth unemployment by investing in technology training, eventually transforming cities like Bangalore into global tech hubs. In the same way, we can position Ibadan and the state as leading technology hubs in West Africa and beyond,” the lawmaker stated.
The lawmaker added that the broader objective is to provide participants with practical skills, entrepreneurial support and the tools required to compete in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
“Our goal is to give participants baseline skills, startup support, and the tools they need to begin their journey. Stay focused, embrace what you have learned with passion, continue to develop your skills, and use the resources provided wisely. The future is in your hands,“ he said.
He, therefore, urged the beneficiaries to make use of the training and tools judiciously.
Earlier, the NITDA representative, Eedris Faruk, said the participants were equipped with skills in digital literacy, AI, responsible platform use, and online business setup to drive education, entrepreneurship, and employment.
punch.ng
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