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From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
The Federal Government has urged young Nigerian innovators to change the narrative of the nation from one fraught with challenges to one abundant with opportunities.
This call was made by Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, after delivering the Distinguished Personality Lecture Series at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, yesterday.
Dr. Tijani encouraged young innovators to join the ranks of entrepreneurs creating solutions through technology to tackle the country’s challenges. He stated, “To young innovators: we live at a time that is totally different. We should switch our framing from a society filled with challenges to one filled with opportunities to build, because the future we require in Nigeria will require many people building new things.”
He emphasized his message not just as a minister but as someone who has been in their shoes, recalling his collaboration with someone from OAU to establish Nigeria’s first innovation hub, which has gained recognition across Africa. “We supported many people to build solutions to problems in Nigeria, and that is what every young Nigerian should be doing,” he said.
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Highlighting the importance of **Artificial Intelligence (AI)** in driving rapid economic growth, Dr. Tijani clarified that AI is not intended to replace critical thinking but serves as a tool to manage the vast amounts of information available. “Artificial Intelligence is not about replacing critical thinking; it is about helping humans sieve through the multiple streams of information you have to deal with,” he noted.
He further remarked that the productive use of AI necessitates creative confidence. “If you lack the ability to apply the knowledge or insight that AI gives you, it will not do the work for you,” he cautioned. He emphasized that for Nigeria, where enhancing productivity is vital, AI could help expedite how knowledge is applied.
Dr. Tijani announced the Federal Government’s intention to collaborate with institutions like Obafemi Awolowo University, which focus on teaching, research, and innovation to support President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda. “Technology allows you to do what you’ve always been doing in better ways, which would not be possible without new thinking, ideas, and technology,” he added.
He concluded by praising the wealth of ideas generated at the university, stating, “This shows that this institution is not just about training but also about researching and generating new ideas. We are here to partner with the university to help achieve the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu.”
