In a clarion call at this year’s International Youth Day celebration in Akure, Ondo State, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) urged young people of the Niger Delta to lean into evolving technology opportunities—particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI)—as a way of unlocking brighter paths for themselves and the region at large.
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A Landmark Moment and Alignment with Renewed Hope Agenda
The event, held on 12 August 2025, carried a theme that resonates deeply: “Youth Advancing Multilateral Cooperation through Technology and Partnership.” It echoes the aspirations of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which positions technology as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s future. Addressing the crowd of over 300 eager youths, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, the NDDC’s Executive Director of Corporate Services, was unambiguous: “Artificial Intelligence and technology advancement offer a multitude of career pathways and cross-sector partnerships. Unity and youth engagement are critical to meaningful human capital growth.”
Voices from the Panel: Partnerships, Development, Potential
Barrister Rotimi Olorunfemi, one of the panellists, emphasised tech’s power to provide solutions to global challenges. He called for stronger collaboration between government and the private sector to maximise potential gains.
Echoing this sentiment, former Ondo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Dayo Awude, reminded the audience that “technology gives us speed, partnerships give us reach.” This underlines a shared recognition that technology alone isn’t enough; strategic alliances are just as vital.
From Words to Action: AI Lab, Talent Hunts, Skill Programmes
To transform talk into tangible impact, the NDDC has partnered with Instinctively Her’s Foundation in Port Harcourt. Together, they are spearheading initiatives to energise youth innovation—including the ambitious plan to launch an Artificial Intelligence Laboratory dedicated to youth in the Niger Delta region.
Further plans include:
- Talent hunts designed to discover and nurture gifted youths.
- A Niger Delta Sports Festival, promoting unity and healthy competition.
- Skills acquisition programmes, to equip youths with market-ready capabilities.
- Scholarships, ensuring access to educational advancement.
Youth as Agents of Change: Voices from the Keynote Stage
Dr. Mrs. Edughom Hanson, the keynote speaker, underscored the demographic power of Niger Delta youths: they constitute about 60% of the region’s populace, making them vital drivers of development. She painted the Niger Delta as a land brimming with promise—its wealth in oil and gas, biodiversity, and cultural heritage unmatched. The challenge, she asserted, is for all stakeholders to turn this youth potential into real progress.
Health, Wellness, and Resilience: A Holistic Approach
Amid the excitement over technology and empowerment, Professor Gracia Eze of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) introduced a sobering imperative: substance abuse and mental health concerns among youths demand urgent attention. As both a consultant paediatrician and Director of Maternal and Child Health at UPTH, she stressed that these issues, if unaddressed, can undermine all other development efforts.
Why This Matters for the Niger Delta
The NDDC’s mission spans infrastructural development, skills training, healthcare, education, and social welfare. Its embrace of technology-driven youth engagement marks a turning point towards sustainable, forward-looking strategies—not just short-term fixes.
The Niger Delta has long stood at a crossroads—a region rich in resources yet challenged by environmental degradation, youth restiveness, and infrastructural deficits. Tech-savvy youth, supported by intentional programme delivery, can rewrite that narrative. And with initiatives like AI labs and talent development, the NDDC is signalling this future is now.
A Glimpse of the Broader Context
- A technical skills acquisition initiative launched earlier in July 2025—featuring trades such as pipe fitting, scaffolding, sandblasting, and forklifting—underlines NDDC’s commitment to job-ready skills.
- Similarly, efforts in February 2025 empowered 300 youth and women across multiple vocational trades, including ICT.
- These efforts build on NDDC’s constitutional mandate and long-standing commitment to youth empowerment in the Niger Delta.
The Digital Agenda Must Be Inclusive
In connecting the dots between new technology, youth engagement, and regional development, NDDC’s actions today lay foundations for tomorrow’s digital economy in the Niger Delta. This demand for tech literacy, combined with health awareness and skill-building, creates a potent platform that could transform lives.
But for this vision to flourish, inclusivity is key—ensuring even the most marginalised youth can access these opportunities, from AI labs to scholarships. As the region’s young engine of growth, their participation will define the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
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