The halls of TechSpace buzzed with anticipation as over a thousand eager young innovators converged for the Youths Through Technology Conference (YTTC 2021), under the theme ‘Enhancing Digital Innovation amongst Nigerian Youth.’
From the moment attendees streamed through the doors, the atmosphere brimmed with promise, a testament to a generation determined to shape its own digital destiny. As the conference unfolded, each address, workshop, and candid conversation wove together a vibrant tapestry of ideas, igniting fresh ambitions in every corner of the room.
The day’s momentum was set alight by the Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi A. Sule, whose warm welcome underscored the critical role of state leadership in nurturing technological talent.
His words of encouragement resonated deeply, reminding every young mind present that innovation thrives where support and vision meet. Equally regal was the presence of the Royal Father of the Day, His Imperial Majesty Oba Dr. Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife, whose dignified grace and heartfelt blessing lent a timeless depth to the proceedings, inspiring attendees to honour both cultural heritage and forward-looking creativity.
When Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare and Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, took the stage for the morning’s keynote session, the room fell into a hush of collective reverence. Dare’s impassioned call for youth-led sports-tech ventures and his belief in the unbreakable link between physical vigor and digital agility stirred a fire in aspiring entrepreneurs.
Pantami followed with a sweeping vision of Nigeria’s digital future, detailing ongoing efforts to expand broadband access and provide the young technical workforce with the infrastructure needed to compete on the global stage. Attendees left that session brimming with fresh resolve, clutching notebooks full of insights and drafting personal roadmaps to bridge government opportunity with grassroots innovation.
Throughout the day, a stellar lineup of speakers brought the theme to life in vivid colour. Dr. Olubayo Adekanmbi shared transformative strategies for embedding digital mindsets within traditional industries, while Saadat Aliyu’s journey from startup scrappiness to the helm of Shamrock Innovations sparked animated chatter among aspiring founders.
Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli’s stories of LEAP Africa’s community-focused initiatives reminded everyone that the most groundbreaking products are those that solve real human challenges. Over in the tech labs, Nurudeen Yemi Hussain demystified cybersecurity, offering practical tips that sent ripples of relief through students anxious about protecting their fledgling apps. Meanwhile, Akintunde Agbonde’s deep dive into data analytics revealed how numbers can narrate powerful stories when wielded with skill and integrity.
Bridging the worlds of entertainment and engagement, digital comedian Nosa Afolabi, more affectionately known as Lasisi Elenu, infused the afternoon with laughter, demonstrating that humour and technology need not be strangers. Adepoju Tobi Samuel capped off the sessions with an energetic showcase of sport content creation, proving that vibrant storytelling can transform clips of athletes into global conversations.
Behind the scenes, luminaries such as Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi of NITDA, Dr. Vincent Olatunji of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, and Professor Umar Garba Danbatta of the Nigerian Communications Commission moved among the crowd, exchanging ideas with students and sharing candid glimpses into regulatory landscapes.
By the closing moments of YTTC 2021, it was clear that more than a thousand attendees had experienced something profound. New alliances had formed over cups of coffee, mentors had connected with eager protégés, and the seeds of tomorrow’s startups were already taking root in the minds of those who dared to dream. As participants filled out into the Lagos twilight, many lingered on the steps, clutching freshly signed business cards and promising to reconvene with partners old and new. In the glow of a day that celebrated both cultural heritage and cutting-edge innovation, TechSpace had ignited a movement. The echo of inspiration would reverberate far beyond those walls, carrying the promise that Nigeria’s youth will lead the digital renaissance of tomorrow.
