Stakeholders have urged young entrepreneurs and business owners to adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) and explore opportunities within the circular economy, citing the growing limitations of traditional skills in a rapidly evolving economic and industrial landscape.

They made the call at the Youth Empowerment Programme organised by the Rose of Sharon Foundation, where experts highlighted digital innovation and waste-to-wealth models as practical pathways to economic and industrial relevance.
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Country Manager of the foundation, Dr Ndudi Bowei, said the programme caters to self-employed youth entrepreneurs among others, focusing on building capacity and giving participants leverage and an edge in the marketplace.
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Bowei noted that the theme: ‘Harnessing AI-driven Resources and Exploring the Circular Economy for a Sustainable Future’, reflects ongoing shifts in global systems, stressing that the socio-economic landscape was becoming heavily dependent on technology and digital systems, particularly AI.

She added that AI had become a very big and important tool to grow, even for companies and individuals, noting that the initiative seeks to help participants harness available tools and resources to grow and build capacity.

Digital Transformation Consultant at Agileplus Limited, Babajide Arulogun, warned that reliance on formal education alone no longer guarantees economic success.

He explained that traditional skills may only sustain individuals at a basic level, adding that technology now enables faster and more efficient delivery of services and spurs industrialisation at a rapid scale. He added that Nigerians are at risk of being left behind in AI adoption, noting that tools are widely accessible online to anyone who actively engages digital platforms.

He further demonstrated how AI tools could be applied in real-life scenarios, including idea generation, data analysis and automation, noting that understanding how to describe processes allows individuals to build solutions using available technologies.

Arulogun also outlined varying levels of participation in the economy, stressing that that while some people acquired knowledge, others applied it to create value, while many remain excluded due to lack of applicable skills.

On the circular economy, Managing Director, Green Trash Environmental Sustainability Team, Olusegun Ogunlana, said Nigeria’s waste challenge presented a significant economic opportunity. He noted that the country generates about 32 billion tons of waste yearly, with only a small portion currently utilised.

According to him, the circular economy shifts focus from disposal to value creation, explaining that in the circular economy nothing is waste, as waste can transform into value if harnessed properly. Ogunlana regretted that the sector remained largely untapped, adding that it holds billions of dollars yet to be fully utilised.

He explained that the country’s numerous economic challenges present opportunities for value creation, as individuals who identify and solve specific problems are better positioned to generate income.

‎He lamented that access to finance and training still remained an obstacle for many would-be businesses and went on to outline practical entry points into the sector.

Participants were exposed to practical sessions, including demonstrations of AI-powered tools for data gathering, idea development and problem-solving, as well as discussions on applying both technology and sustainability concepts to real-life situations.