The Acting Rector of Redeemer’s College of Technology and Management (RECTEM), Dr Oladunni Izobo-Martins, has urged Nigerian students to reposition their minds towards technology as a platform for wealth creation rather than mere social engagement.

She made the call at the RECTEM TechDay, which brought together students, professionals, innovators, and industry leaders at the institution’s Multipurpose Hall, Redemption City, Mowe, Ogun State. The event was themed, “Taking advantage of the tech world to build wealth.”

Addressing participants, Martins said the programme was organised to align RECTEM with global realities in technology and artificial intelligence.

“This is an academic environment, and we have to move with the trends of the world. Today, the trend is technology and artificial intelligence, and we need to awaken our students to be alert and ready to move with it,” she said.

According to her, the choice of the theme was deliberate, noting that technology has become a dependable pathway to prosperity.

“When we invited the guest speaker, I realised he is a successful man using technology with results. I felt he should show us the secrets. That was why I personally coined the topic around technology and wealth,” Martins explained.

She disclosed that RECTEM has embedded technology across all academic programmes to ensure students are future-ready.
 
“What we have done is to incorporate technology into all our programmes. Whether you are in engineering, the built environment or management, technology is now part of what you do,” she said.

The acting rector added that since assuming office, she has introduced a compulsory technology unit for all students, irrespective of discipline.

Martins described technology as inevitable, noting that it simplifies work, brings comfort and expands opportunities.

“If we are not moving with the world, it means we want to remain poor. Virtually nothing can be done today without technology, and it is something we must invite and embrace,” she said.

She also advocated a balanced education built on curriculum, character and competence.

“Three things are important: the curriculum, the fear of God and technology. Many people want wealth without paying the price, which leads to atrocities. With the fear of God and tech, students can make a real impact,” she added.

In his keynote, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of New Horizons, Tim Akano, told students that artificial intelligence had become unavoidable and full of opportunities.

“The take-home for the students is that there is no limitation anymore. Today, all you need is a laptop, internet, food and your brain. With that, you can create anything,” Akano said.

He cited Uber as an example of how technology can drive wealth without requiring significant capital.

“Uber is a $50 billion company, yet it owns no vehicles. Two young people wrote a program, put it online, and the world plugged into it. Nigeria does not even make $50 billion in a year,” he noted.

Akano urged Nigerian youths to embrace the AI era, warning that Africa had missed previous technological revolutions.