The acting Director of the Centre for Information Communication and Public Relations at Yaba College of Technology, Adekunle Adams, has called on Nigerian youths to continually acquire relevant digital and technical skills. This, he believes, will enable them to remain competitive in a rapidly changing economy. Adams made this statement at the Catalyst Shift 1.0, held at the Yusuf Grillo Auditorium. The event was organised by the Ayo Lawal Empowerment Foundation and had the theme, ‘Empowering the Next Generation to Evolve, Lead and Impact’.
Adams emphasized that young Nigerians must move beyond seeking employment to developing the capacity to create value, solve problems, and generate opportunities for others. He noted that technological advancement, AI, automation, digital platforms, and changing workplace demands have made continuous learning imperative for the younger generation. According to Adams, "You cannot build tomorrow with yesterday’s mindset." He stressed that the next generation must be prepared to learn, unlearn, and relearn.
Adams highlighted the importance of university degrees, certificates, and professional qualifications, but noted that they should not mark the end of a young person’s learning journey. He urged youths to regularly ask themselves what they are learning that can make them more valuable in the future. Adams stressed that knowledge must be complemented by communication skills, emotional intelligence, digital competence, creativity, problem-solving ability, teamwork, entrepreneurship, and character.
The acting Director encouraged young Nigerians to develop an entrepreneurial mindset by shifting their focus from asking, “Who will employ me?” to questions such as, “What problem can I solve?” “What value can I create?” and “What service can I provide?” This, he believes, is necessary for Nigeria to harness the potential of its youthful population and address the country’s development challenges.
Adams highlighted Yaba College of Technology’s empowerment initiatives, including entrepreneurship programmes, innovation challenges, digital training, technical skills acquisition, industrial training, mentorship, and industry engagement. The objective, he said, is to move students from knowledge acquisition to knowledge application and equip them not only to seek employment but also to create opportunities.
The college’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, including the Folawiyo Entrepreneurship Centre, encourages students to identify opportunities within the challenges confronting the country. Adams pointed out that digital empowerment should go beyond certificates, noting that digital skills could provide pathways to employment, entrepreneurship, and participation in the digital economy.
However, Adams cautioned youths against viewing technology as a substitute for critical thinking and sound judgment. He emphasized that technology can amplify one's ability but cannot replace character. Adams added that artificial intelligence can assist with writing and information processing, but users must retain human judgment, creativity, and ethical responsibility.
Key points
- YABATECH's acting Director, Adekunle Adams, urges Nigerian youths to acquire digital and technical skills.
- Adams emphasizes the need for continuous learning in a rapidly changing economy.
- The college provides various empowerment initiatives to equip students with skills to create opportunities.
