Ijesa professionals invest in digital education

As conversations around education increasingly shift from certificates to employable skills, one initiative in South-West Nigeria is demonstrating how diaspora professionals can become powerful drivers of local human capital development.

That vision came into sharp focus on July 18, when traditional rulers, business leaders, technology professionals, educators, policymakers, development partners and students converged in Iloko-Ijesa for the maiden Ijesa Tech Conference 2026. More than a graduation ceremony, the conference showcased what many participants described as a new model for community-led digital transformation—one that places investment in people at the heart of sustainable development.

Welcoming participants, Chairman of the Ijesaland Global Alliance for Development (IGAD), Prince Abimbola Olashore, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to investing in people, technology and innovation as the most enduring catalysts for regional development.

Expanding on IGAD’s vision, Prince Olashore said the organisation believes the greatest contribution successful professionals can make to their communities is to invest in the next generation.

“Across the world, Ijesa professionals have acquired knowledge, experience and global networks. Our responsibility is to ensure those assets create opportunities for young people back home. When we invest in education, digital skills and innovation, we are not simply supporting individuals—we are strengthening the long-term competitiveness and prosperity of our communities.”

His message echoed a philosophy that has increasingly shaped the work of Ijesa professionals across Nigeria and the diaspora.

Rather than focusing solely on physical infrastructure, they are investing in what economists regard as the most valuable resource of any society—its people.

That philosophy reflects the founding vision of the Ijesaland Global Alliance for Development. Reflecting on the evolution of IGAD, the Ajirowa of Ijesaland, Chief Alhaji Lateef Bakare, a member of the Board of Trustees and one of the organisation’s founding members, said the current investments in digital education represent the fulfilment of a vision conceived many years ago.

“The strength of any community lies not only in its natural resources but in the quality of its people. From the very beginning, IGAD was established to mobilise Ijesa professionals around the world to contribute their expertise, experience and resources to the development of our homeland. Today, through initiatives like the Ijesa Digital Hub, we are witnessing that vision come alive by preparing young people to succeed in an increasingly knowledge-driven world.”

At the centre of this effort is the Ijesa Digital Hub (IDH), an initiative of IGAD, which is equipping young people with digital competencies considered essential for the future of work.

Education experts have long argued that communities capable of producing skilled knowledge workers will be better positioned to compete in an increasingly technology-driven global economy. That thinking appears to be shaping the vision behind the Hub, which has evolved beyond a conventional ICT training centre into a regional ecosystem for digital education, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Since commencing operations in early 2024, the Hub has trained more than 350 young people through programmes designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry demands.

More than 200 participants have completed specialised technology training, while another 112 have graduated from intensive career pathways in cybersecurity, software development, artificial intelligence, data analytics and UI/UX design. Several graduates have progressed to internships, professional certifications, remote employment and technology careers.

For many education stakeholders, such outcomes highlight the growing importance of alternative learning pathways that complement formal education.

The Hub’s model places strong emphasis on practical learning. Beyond technical instruction, participants receive mentorship from industry professionals, work on real-life projects, develop professional portfolios and gain support for internationally recognised certifications and internships.

According to the Executive Director of the Ijesa Digital Hub, Dr. Cornelius Adewale, the Hub was designed to prepare young people not just for employment but also for leadership in the digital economy.

“Our ambition is to create a pipeline of innovators who can build companies, solve local challenges and compete globally. Every programme we deliver is intentionally designed to equip young people with practical skills, entrepreneurial thinking and the confidence to create value wherever they find themselves.”

That philosophy was reflected during one of the conference’s highlights—a panel discussion titled “Igniting Innovation in Ijesaland and Beyond,” moderated by Dr. Adewale.

The discussion brought together business and technology leaders to explore innovation, entrepreneurship, digital transformation and the future of work.

Among the panellists was cybersecurity expert and Founder of CyberCode Limited, Mr. Tunji Igbalajobi, who challenged young people to move beyond simply consuming technology.

“Don’t just be consumers online; be producers. Innovation starts with production, not consumption,” he told participants, urging them to build solutions, create products and use technology to solve real-world problems.

Recognising that digital talent development should begin early, the initiative has also extended its reach into secondary schools through the Ijesa Tech Prize.

The maiden competition drew participation from 65 secondary schools across Ijesaland, with more than 130 students competing through quizzes and innovation challenges designed to stimulate interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). During the conference, outstanding schools and students received cash prizes, while leading public schools were specially recognised for excellence.

Complementing the competition is the Ijesa Digital Citizenship Programme, which introduces students to responsible technology use, digital literacy and critical thinking—competencies increasingly regarded as foundational in modern education systems.

The education ecosystem being developed also reflects growing collaboration between communities, educational institutions and the private sector.

Technology scholarships are funded through partnerships involving IGAD, the Ijesa Development Council (IDC), corporate organisations, development partners, philanthropists and members of the Ijesa diaspora, creating opportunities for talented youths who might otherwise lack access to specialised digital training.

That collaborative model reached another milestone during the conference, where a partnership between IGAD and the IDC IVETP Programme produced ₦5 million worth of technology training scholarships for students drawn from the top-performing schools in each participating local government area.

Another highlight was the graduation of 46 beneficiaries who completed advanced programmes in software development, cybersecurity, data analytics, UI/UX design and AI Tools Mastery, receiving their certificates from the Owaloko of Iloko-Ijesa, Oba Akeem Olusayo Ogungbangbe, Ajagbusi-Ekun VI.

Reflecting on the significance of the initiative, IGAD Vice President Dr. Wale Alonge said the scholarships demonstrate what becomes possible when professionals unite around a common purpose.

“The impact we are seeing today is the result of collaboration. When the diaspora, community institutions, development partners and local leaders align behind a shared vision, they create opportunities that no single organisation could deliver alone. This is how sustainable human capital development is built.”

Representing the Ijesa Development Council, Lady Modupe Ajayi Gbadebo, Vice President II of the Council, described the collaboration between IDC and IGAD as a model capable of accelerating human capital development across Ijesaland. She expressed confidence that the partnership would continue creating life-changing opportunities for young people across the region.

The conference concluded with royal blessings from the Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, His Imperial Majesty Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, who commended IGAD and the Ijesa Digital Hub for their commitment to education, innovation and youth empowerment, pledging his continued support for initiatives that position Ijesaland as a centre of excellence in technology and innovation.

As governments and development organisations continue searching for sustainable models of youth empowerment, the experience emerging from Ijesaland demonstrates the transformative potential of diaspora engagement. By investing not only financial resources but also knowledge, mentorship and global networks, Ijesa professionals are helping to build a generation equipped to thrive in the digital economy. In doing so, they are proving that the most enduring legacy any community can create is the development of its people.