FG, Oyo lawmaker empower 210 youths with digital skills, laptops
The Federal Government on Friday trained about 210 youths in Oyo State in digital marketing, cybersecurity basics, remote work, and technology-enabled entrepreneurship. The digital literacy and empowerment programme was facilitated by a lawmaker representing Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West Federal Constituency, Stanley Olajide, in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency. The event was held at Dapo Aderogba Hall, Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariat, Iyaganku GRA, Ibadan. Olajide said one of his priorities is to establish tech and innovation hubs that would position Ibadan as the technology capital of the South-West. The chairman of the House Committee on Digital, Information Communication Technology and Cybersecurity described the programme as a response to youth unemployment and the need to bridge the digital divide. “I serve as a representative and remain actively engaged in committees related to ICT, cybersecurity, and other areas of technology. Technology is not just a field for me; it is a passion. “A key priority is how we can empower our youth, both men and women, by equipping them with the skills they need to succeed. This is central to everything I do, because the future of Nigeria depends on them,” he said. Olajide disclosed that the programme would continue in phases, with more participants already scheduled. “Regarding this programme, we have about 210 beneficiaries participating today, with an additional 150 set to begin next week. This will bring the total to approximately 360 participants in this phase. “We plan to run up to ten phases before the end of the year. This is the second phase, following an earlier one held late last year,” he said. He added that beneficiaries received financial support ranging from ₦30,000 to ₦50,000 to help them launch digital ventures. “Each participant is receiving financial support, between ₦30,000 and ₦50,000, to help them get started,” he said. Olajide said the initiative is only a starting point, with plans to expand into artificial intelligence, blockchain, and other emerging technologies. “We must provide young people with the right tools and knowledge to prepare them for what lies ahead. This training programme is only a starting point,” he said. He urged participants to use the training and resources wisely. Earlier, a representative of NITDA, Eedris Faruk, said participants were equipped with skills in digital literacy, AI, responsible platform use, and online business setup to promote education, entrepreneurship, and employment.
Arun
Apr 25, 2026
