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Nigerian students and young professionals have been urged to embrace innovation and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven skills or risk being left behind as the technology continues to reshape industries, the future of work and the global economy.
The Chief Digital Officer of The Encrypse Limited, Desmond Nnebue, gave the charge while delivering the keynote address at the AI Summit organised by Anchor University, Lagos, where he encouraged participants to become creators of AI solutions rather than mere consumers of emerging technologies.
According to him, the rapid advancement of AI presents enormous opportunities for those willing to innovate, stressing that success in the digital economy depends more on the willingness to act than on innate intelligence.
“In every wave of technology, a small group moves first, the majority follows later, while another group resists until change becomes unavoidable. Innovators are not always the most gifted; they are those willing to act before everyone else is comfortable,” he said.
Describing AI as a transformative technology, Nnebue said it has the potential to solve complex problems faster and at unprecedented scale, urging students to identify real-world challenges within their disciplines and develop technology-driven solutions.
“Every department in this room has a friction point AI can be pointed at. Spotting the problem comes first. Coding comes later, if at all,” he said.
He warned against delaying the adoption of AI, noting that those who embrace the technology early would be better positioned to shape the future, while late adopters risk losing relevance in an increasingly digital world.
The digital transformation expert also dismissed concerns that AI would replace human workers, arguing instead that it would create entirely new careers and business opportunities for individuals equipped with relevant digital skills.
“AI is not here to take your job. It’s here to create jobs that don’t exist yet. The only question is whether you’ll be ready when they open,” he said.
Reflecting on his professional journey from software engineering to digital transformation leadership, Nnebue noted that career growth often comes from embracing change, continuous learning and adapting to new technologies.
He therefore urged Nigerian youths to make deliberate investments in innovation, digital skills and lifelong learning, stressing that the decisions they make today will determine whether they become leaders or followers in the AI-driven economy.
