The Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, recently admonished young budding software developers and tech enthusiasts to maximise opportunities in the tech space.

In his keynote address at the 2023 Hackfest, organised by GenZtechies at the University of Lagos, Abiru shared experience of his illustrious banking career spanning over three decades, tracing how technology gradually revolutionised the banking sector, starting with the new generation banks.

Abiru, who is representing Lagos East Senatorial District, is the co-founder of the SAIL Innovation Lab, the first of its kind, where over 3,000 constituents, particularly young people, had been trained in less than two years of its existence.

According to Abiru, he identified with the annual event because he believed in the vision of the promoters at providing strong platform and ecosystem for young tech enthusiasts to thrive.

He noted that young people should be encouraged and galvanised to explore opportunities that the current fourth industrial revolution age has provided, which is technology and innovation.

Saying the task of nation building requires collective efforts of all citizens, he also challenged young entrepreneurs and tech professionals to strive for excellence and success in their respective fields for them to make quality contributions to the policy development process of the nation.

He cited the success story of Nigeria’s Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, who Co-founded Africa’s leading tech company, Co-creation Hub (CCHub).

He further assured that he would continue to support initiatives that provide platforms for young Nigerians to thrive in tech, business and other areas. He commended the courage and resilience of promoters of the GenZ Hackfest.

Expressing his appreciation, founder and convener of GenZHackfest, Eniola Osabiya thanked Senator Abiru and other sponsors who have been supporting the event since 2022.

He described the passion of Abiru for sustainable empowerment through human capital development as unmatchable.

Osabiya added that with the leadership and encouragement Senator Abiru is providing, the sky will be the limit for young people who are passionate about tech and innovation.

On his part, Consultant on SAIL Innovation Lab Deji Abisola, expressed optimism that Lab would continue to partner and identify with the GenZHackfest, as well as other youth led tech initiatives in the ecosystem.

SAIL Innovation is the co-sponsor of the well-attended tech event that attracted over 1,000 young Nigerians.

Founded in 2020 as a small WhatsApp group for youths in tech, GenZtechies has arguably grown to become Africa’s fastest-growing network for Gen-Zs in tech after their international expansion in late 2021.

The community is one of the top places where young people in tech across Africa learn, connect, and discover life-changing opportunities. Some members of the GenZtechies went from zero to getting top tech jobs, internationally after joining the community, while some have raised over a million dollars for their startups.