Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has emphasised the importance of entrepreneurship development and technical skills in driving Nigeria’s economic revival and survival.
Bamidele, in his lecture at the 37th Convocation of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos, stressed that policymakers and state actors must prioritise the impartation of innovative knowledge and technical skills for young people to position Nigeria among the emerging digital economies.
He noted that the country’s educational curricula, from primary to tertiary levels, must incorporate entrepreneurship training, digital education, problem-solving skills, and interpersonal relationship development to equip young people with the skills necessary to thrive in the digital age.
Bamidele pointed out that the global trend has shown that government can no longer provide white-collar jobs for all graduates; hence, the need for Nigeria to adapt to this reality by empowering young people with skills to create their own jobs.
He disclosed that 51.6 per cent of informal businesses in Nigeria started due to unemployment, indicating that the country has immense human potential that is underutilised.
He pointed out that the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector contributes about 19 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with Nigeria’s tech-start-up ecosystem raising over $400 million in funding in 2024, while the fintech sector attracts over $2 billion.
Bamidele identified key areas of opportunity for job creation through digital technology, including fintech, e-commerce, digital services, agri-tech, and creative industries, adding that Nigeria must build a competitive digital ecosystem to leverage these opportunities.
He called for decisive measures to build digital skills and human capital, raise infrastructure, ensure access to finance, and set regulatory and policy frameworks to support digital entrepreneurship.
Bamidele also emphasised the need for government institutions to mobilise resources, coordinate across ministries, and build national ecosystems to foster a competitive and prosperous digital economy.
The Senate Leader urged the National Assembly to make the digital economy a core national priority, promote digital skill development, and establish a national digital skills fund.
He also called on the private sector to partner with educational institutions, provide internships and apprenticeships, and invest in regional hubs to tap into Nigeria’s talent pool.
Bamidele advised educators and institutions to modernise their curricula, remove outdated silos, and equip students with digital competence, an entrepreneurial mindset, and global-market awareness.
The lecture was attended by distinguished guests, including academics, policymakers, and industry stakeholders, who shared insights on the role of entrepreneurship and technical skills in driving Nigeria’s economic growth and development.
