Lagos: The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has issued a call for urgent, large-scale investment in digital skills to prepare Nigeria’s expanding youth population for global competitiveness. UNICEF Education Specialist, Babagana Aminu, emphasized this necessity during a two-day media dialogue on digital learning advocacy organized by the Oyo State Ministry of Information in collaboration with UNICEF.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Aminu highlighted the critical need for Nigerian youths to develop strong digital competence to thrive in a world where emerging technologies are reshaping economies and widening development gaps. He cautioned that without robust digital skills, Nigerian youth will face challenges in competing on an international scale, underscoring that only nations investing in digital readiness will secure meaningful advantages in the future.
Aminu described Artificial Intelligence as a transformational force driving global innovation and noted Nigeria’s position as the second-ranked country in Africa for start-ups deploying the technology across different sectors. He stressed the importance of positioning Nigerian youth to lead the next wave of innovation driven by AI.
He also remarked on the significant revenue generation by the digital economy, surpassing that of the oil sector, and pointed out the increasing global demand for digital expertise, with millions of cybersecurity positions remaining vacant worldwide. He called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s digital learning ecosystem, warning that the nation is losing young talent due to poor skills development and inadequate digital infrastructure.
Aminu urged the media to encourage the government to prioritize digital infrastructure and stimulate private sector investment, highlighting the necessity for schools to provide adequate digital learning opportunities. He expressed concern over youth employability, noting that many graduates lack practical skills, which is linked to employer demands and the rising migration of graduates.
Furthermore, UNICEF Communication Officer, Blessing Ejiofor, called on journalists to amplify digital inclusion efforts, emphasizing the media’s role in shaping perception, influencing policy, and inspiring action.