All Ogwu Benjamin Chijoke wants for his tech-savvy teenage son is a chance to thrive in the digital world. Like many Nigerian youths, his son is part of the 70% of the country’s population under 30 years old. Unfortunately, their digital aspirations are stifled by a lack of government support, unfavourable policies, limited internet access, and poor infrastructure.
This digital divide is holding back Nigeria’s potential in an increasingly interconnected global landscape.
According to United Nations statistics, nearly one-third of the world’s youth are at the forefront of digital adoption, using mobile devices, services, and artificial intelligence to drive Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Yet, in Nigeria, the path to progress is blurred by inconsistencies and inadequate support systems. The country’s youth are eager to contribute to this digital revolution, but their efforts are hampered by systemic challenges that prevent them from fully leveraging technology for sustainable development.
UNICEF’s Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, emphasized the critical need for empowering young Nigerians to fill the development gaps that persist in the country. He noted that the future of Nigeria’s digital economy depends on providing the right support and resources to its youth.
Meanwhile, a tech expert David Oluwabusayo echoed this sentiment, highlighting the barriers of digital illiteracy, a lack of relevant skills, and limited entrepreneurial ecosystems. Similarly, coding expert Modibo Mukthar pointed out that Nigeria’s digital economy is still in its infancy, with much work needed to build a robust digital infrastructure.
To truly harness the power of digitalization, Nigeria must address the underlying factors that impede its growth. Serial entrepreneur Ayomide Alao, based in the UK, stressed that investing in basic critical infrastructure is essential for the country to catch up with the digital advancements that the rest of the world is enjoying. UN Secretary-General António Guterres underscored the importance of empowering young people, stating that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals requires a seismic shift, one that can only happen by working with youth as equals.
For Nigeria’s youth to contribute meaningfully to national development and drive sustainable progress, bold steps must be taken to bridge the digital divide. The time for action is now.
The original piece was put together by Dimma Ndubuisi
