The Vice-Chancellor of Summit University, Offa, Kwara State, Professor Abiodun Musa Aibinu, has urged the Federal Government to make Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital literacy compulsory in secondary and tertiary institutions to prepare Nigerian youths for the demands of the digital economy.

Aibinu said early exposure to digital skills would build young people’s confidence, creativity and problem-solving abilities, enabling them to take advantage of emerging opportunities in technology.

He spoke at the launch and fundraising ceremony of the Icitify Digital Skills Empowerment Foundation (IDSEF), held at Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, Oyo State.

The event, themed:”Building Digital Futures: Investing in Our Youth, Transforming Our Future,” attracted academics, political leaders, industry players, students and development partners.

The vice-chancellor noted that equipping young Nigerians with digital capabilities was fundamental to building the country’s next-generation economy, adding that Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics and Cybersecurity were already transforming workplaces and economic activities.

He urged youths to use technology creatively, understand its limitations, take advantage of available learning opportunities and seek mentorship to improve their skills.

“The future will not be built by technology alone; it will be built by people who have the skills, imagination and opportunity to use technology well.

“Let us ensure our people are not merely spectators in the digital revolution but active participants in shaping it,” he said.

The founder and Chief Executive Officer of IDSEF, Mr. AbdulAzeez Adelopo, said the foundation was established to expand young people’s access to the skills and development opportunities required to participate effectively in the changing global economy.

He listed the foundation’s areas of focus as Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Cloud Computing, User Interface/User Experience (UI/UX) Design, AI and Machine Learning, Data Science, Digital Marketing, Robotics and Drone Technology, leadership and entrepreneurial skills.

Adelopo explained that the foundation’s programmes would be built around five pillars: Access, Learn, Build, Connect and Progress.

He said the model would provide young people with practical training, opportunities to apply their knowledge through real-world projects, mentorship and industry connections to improve their prospects for employment and entrepreneurship.

He appealed to individuals, organisations and development partners to support the foundation’s fundraising drive, which would provide the infrastructure, equipment, personnel and learning resources needed to operate its programmes.

According to him, support could come through sponsoring individual learners or cohorts, donating information and communications technology (ICT) and robotics equipment, supporting school-based programmes, providing mentorship and technical expertise, or entering into strategic partnerships.

The chairman of the foundation’s board, Dr Taofeek Akinola, said the launch represented the formalisation of nearly two decades of community service by Adelopo, who had voluntarily equipped people, including members of his family, with digital skills.

“What therefore began as a small act of kindness and selfless service to fellow men is becoming a platform for national impact,” Akinola said.

He noted that Nigeria’s estimated population of about 110 million children and adolescents presented a significant demographic advantage that could be converted into productive human capital through skills development.

Akinola urged federal, state and local governments to sponsor digital and vocational skills programmes on a large scale.

He also called on private sector organisations, including banks, fast-moving consumer goods companies, telecommunications firms and oil and gas companies, to prioritise structured skills development through their corporate social responsibility programmes.

In their goodwill messages, the African Action Congress [AAC] governorship candidate in Oyo State, Chief Saheed Oladele, and a former All Progressives Congress [APC] governorship aspirant, Engineer Oyedele Hakeem Alao, stressed the importance of information technology to national development.

Oladele said ICT hubs could help address youth unemployment and insecurity, urging Nigerians to embrace technology.

“We cannot afford to be analogue in a digital age. The earlier you get ICT knowledge, the better,” he said.

Alao, in his remarks, warned that countries that failed to develop their information technology capabilities risked being left behind.

He called for IT education to become compulsory from primary school, citing the early exposure to technology enjoyed by his children studying in Oman.

“My children who study in Oman started learning IT skills from Primary 2. We need to encourage our kids. IT skill is as important as anything if we are going to match up with AI prospects today,” he said.