The Team Lead of Digital and Creative Enterprise, Lagos State University of Science and Technology,Dr Steven AnuAdesemoye, has called on faith-based organisations across the country to invest in digital technology hubs as part of the ways to equip Nigerian youths with globally competitive skills.

The don made this call at the 31st Annual National Youth Retreat of C.A.C, Christ City of Peace Evangelical Ministry, (CCOPEM) held in Lagos, last week.

Tagged, “The New Beginning,” Adesemoye disclosed that the survival of the Nigerian youth in the modern industrial landscape depends on a strategic equilibrium between spiritual guidance and technical proficiency, stressing that the contemporary “new normal” demands a radical shift in how religious institutions support their members.

He note that while spiritual nourishment remains fundamental, it must be complemented by “digital vitamins” (essential technical skills), including Artificial Intelligence, data analytics and no-code development.

According to the don, the responsibility for closing the widening knowledge gap and meeting global expectations should not rest solely on government, if Nigeria is to achieve sustainable economic growth.

Speaking on the topic, “Restart: Your New Beginning In The Digital Age,” the Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Digital and Creative Enterprise, Team Lead, noted that faith-based organisations possess the reach and resources to act as critical interventionists in digital training, by establishing tech hubs within their communities.

He stated that these organisationscan provide the necessary infrastructure and mentorship for youths who might otherwise be excluded from the digital economy due to financial or social constraints.

Citing data from the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he revealed that while 88 per cent of employers prioritise data analysis, only 12 per cent of Nigerian university graduates meet this requirement, saying, “the job is there; the skill is not.”

Emphasising that religious bodies are uniquely positioned to bridge this chasm, he urged the church to view digital literacy not as a secular distraction, but as a vital tool for empowerment and poverty alleviation, noting that the knowledge gap requires essential skill set that matches global expectations.

He stressed that the righteous must not only rise after a fall, but must also be equipped with the tools to compete on the world stage and also urged the youths to take advantage of the free digital resources available to them and “audit” their current capabilities through a digital self-audit.

He enjoined the youth to take a 90-day personal development plan that focuses on high-value skills that can be acquired with minimal financial investment.

According to him, this will foster an environment of continuous learning and technical curiosity, and called on faith-based organisations to help transform Nigeria’s youth from passive consumers of technology into active contributors to the global digital economy.

He noted that Nigeria’s future depends on the collective effort to empower the next generation, and urged the leadership of CCOPEM and other religious institutions to take the lead in this intervention.