The Federal Government has urged Nigerian students to embrace artificial intelligence, coding, robotics, cybersecurity and other digital skills as part of efforts to prepare the country’s youthful population for the global knowledge economy.
The call was made on Friday at the Renewed Hope Students’ Engagement and Digital Acceleration Programme for the South-East Zone, held at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC).
The programme was championed by Hon. Comr. Sunday Asefon, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students’ Engagement, and brought together student leaders, government officials, academics and other stakeholders to discuss education, digital innovation, youth empowerment and opportunities available under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Addressing the students, Asefon highlighted the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in the education sector, urging the students to take advantage of the multiple opportunities and programmes introduced by the Federal Government.
He encouraged the students to position themselves to benefit from the administration’s interventions, particularly those focused on education financing, digital skills, innovation and youth development.
Asefon also commended the Enugu State Government, South-East NANS stakeholders and student leaders who participated in the programme for their support and commitment to student development.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, the Public Relations Officer of the Projects Development Institute, Dr. Ijeoma Eze, said Nigeria must invest heavily in innovation and technology to compete effectively in the global economy.
She said the Tinubu administration was committed to transforming Nigeria into a globally competitive, innovation-driven and technology-powered economy through education and digital development programmes.
She listed initiatives including NELFUND, HOPE-EDU, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), NESRI, Universal Basic Education and the Nigerian Learning Passport among the programmes supporting the Federal Government’s education reforms.
The minister described young Nigerians as a critical component of the country's human capital and challenged students to move beyond obtaining conventional academic qualifications.
“The future belongs to innovators, creators, problem-solvers and entrepreneurs, not merely certificate holders.”
He urged students to learn coding, master artificial intelligence tools, develop software applications, acquire cybersecurity skills, explore robotics and establish digital enterprises capable of solving local problems.
He further called for stronger collaboration between universities, research institutes and industries to commercialise research findings and convert innovation into jobs and wealth creation.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, Akintunde Sawyerr, disclosed that more than 1.7 million students had applied for the Federal Government’s student loan scheme, with approximately 1.5 million applications processed.
Sawyerr said NELFUND had disbursed more than N282 billion to students across 288 tertiary institutions nationwide.
According to him, more than N183 billion had been paid directly to tertiary institutions as tuition fees, while nearly N98 billion had been released to students as upkeep allowances.
He urged more students in the South-East to take advantage of the scheme, explaining that the loans are interest-free and repayment does not begin until beneficiaries secure employment.
He also disclosed that plans were underway, in collaboration with the National Assembly, to expand the scheme to approximately seven million beneficiaries, including students in vocational institutions and skills acquisition centres.
A major highlight of the Enugu programme was the distribution of laptop computers to selected students to support digital learning, research, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Students who demonstrated knowledge and correctly answered questions during interactive sessions were also presented with prizes, adding an engaging and competitive dimension to the programme.
One of the standout moments came when a student showcased a mini electric tricycle designed by the student. The innovation attracted attention from participants and organisers, and the student was subsequently rewarded in recognition of the creativity and ingenuity demonstrated.
The presentation underscored the central message of the programme: that Nigerian students should not merely consume technology but should develop the skills and creativity required to design solutions to real-life challenges.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students’ Engagement said the programme was designed to deepen communication between the Federal Government and student leaders while exposing young Nigerians to opportunities in the digital economy.
He said the administration considers the country’s youthful population one of its greatest assets and wants students to become innovators, entrepreneurs and solution providers.
Several students also took turns at the podium to share personal testimonies of how the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) had enabled them to pursue and fulfil their academic aspirations despite financial challenges. The beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the support provided through the scheme, particularly the newly introduced monthly stipends, which they described as a “life-saving initiative” that has significantly eased the financial burden of students and helped them meet essential needs while pursuing their studies.
The Enugu programme ended on a high note, with participating students receiving digital devices, prizes and exposure to government programmes designed to support their education and future careers.
The organisers expressed optimism that the engagement would strengthen collaboration between government and student leaders in the South-East while encouraging more young Nigerians to acquire digital skills, pursue innovation and contribute meaningfully to national development.
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