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The Federal Government has urged Nigerian students, particularly those in the North-East, to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital skills and technology to compete effectively in the global economy.
The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Student Engagement, Comrade Asefon Sunday, gave the charge during the Renewed Hope Student Leaders Engagement and Digital Acceleration Programme for the North-East Zone at Gombe State University (GSU).
Asefon said rapid technological advancement had transformed the global economy, making digital competence increasingly critical to students seeking to build successful careers and businesses.
He challenged students to move beyond consuming technology to becoming creators, innovators and entrepreneurs capable of developing solutions to challenges in their communities.
“Use your smartphone. Use the internet to check opportunities in government ministries and agencies that can benefit your life. Learn a digital skill. Build something. Start a business. Create content. Learn artificial intelligence,” he said.
As part of the digital acceleration initiative, Asefon announced that 25 outstanding students from tertiary institutions across the North-East had received laptops to support their academic and technological development.
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He said the beneficiaries were selected based on outstanding academic performance in Computer Science and Engineering, describing the intervention as part of the Federal Government’s effort to equip young Nigerians with the tools required to thrive in the digital economy.
The presidential aide also highlighted government efforts to improve access to tertiary education through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), saying eligible students could access interest-free loans for tuition and approved institutional charges, as well as monthly upkeep allowances.
“No Nigerian should be forced to abandon education simply because their family cannot afford the cost,” he said.
Asefon further said the administration had recorded three years of uninterrupted academic calendars in tertiary institutions, arguing that greater stability would enable students to complete their programmes on schedule.
He urged North-East students to take advantage of emerging digital opportunities, stressing that geographical location should not limit their ambitions or ability to compete with their peers nationally and internationally.
