In a powerful endorsement of Nigeria’s shifting focus toward vocational and digital skills development, Nelson Asemota, the Founder and CEO of TechPower Africa, was honoured as a Top Leader in Technical Education at the Lagos Youth Skill Day held on July 17, 2025. The recognition solidifies Asemota’s place among Nigeria’s leading voices championing a new era of workforce empowerment driven by innovation, hands-on training, and forward-thinking policies.
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A Day for Skill Development and Youth Empowerment
Held under the theme “Equipping Tomorrow’s Leaders with Skills for a Brighter Future,” the Lagos Youth Skill Day brought together an impressive coalition of public and private sector actors committed to addressing Nigeria’s urgent need to reskill its youth population.
In attendance were high-ranking government officials from the Lagos State Ministry of Education, the Lagos House of Assembly Committee on Education, representatives from the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, and several international development agencies—including the GIZ Centre for Development and Migration.
But it was Nelson Asemota who took centre stage—not only as a keynote speaker but also as a symbol of what’s possible when technical education is taken seriously in Africa.
The TechPower Africa Vision by Nelson Asemota
Founded by Asemota, TechPower Africa has emerged as a transformative force in the continent’s education and employment landscape. The organisation provides cutting-edge training programs in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, cybersecurity, and software engineering. Its mission? To turn Nigeria’s youth from passive job seekers into globally competitive tech professionals.
In his address, Asemota made a compelling case for shifting national educational priorities away from theory-heavy academic models and toward applied, skill-driven learning:
“We’re preparing students for a world that’s already changed. The future of work is now. If we don’t give our youth the right skills today, we’re denying them their tomorrow.”
An Award of Substance, Not Symbolism
The award presented to Asemota was not merely ceremonial—it acknowledged years of tireless work transforming Nigeria’s outdated vocational training systems and offering young people real opportunities in high-demand sectors.
Asemota’s leadership has been instrumental in not only establishing TechPower Africa’s credibility but also in scaling its reach. The organization has trained thousands of students across Nigeria, many of whom have gone on to secure employment with multinational tech companies or launch their own startups.
“This award is for every young person who’s ever felt they didn’t belong in the traditional education system,” Asemota said during his acceptance speech. “It’s proof that practical knowledge matters—and that Nigeria can produce digital innovators, not just consumers.”
Public–Private Collaboration at the Core
One of the key themes of Asemota’s speech was the power of strategic partnerships. TechPower Africa’s collaboration with organizations like GIZ demonstrates the potential of aligning private expertise with international development goals. These partnerships allow programs to be not only skill-focused but also scalable, sustainable, and internationally relevant.
“When we partner with institutions that understand development, we don’t just train—we transform,” Asemota emphasized. “We equip, we empower, and we export talent.”
Such collaborations are vital at a time when Nigeria is grappling with a youth unemployment rate exceeding 40%. Skill-building programs like those offered by TechPower are viewed as an essential response to this economic and social challenge.
The Larger Shift: Nigeria’s Education at a Crossroads
Nelson Asemota’s recognition also reflects a broader shift in Nigeria’s approach to education. While traditional academic qualifications still dominate, there is growing awareness—particularly among policymakers and tech sector leaders—that vocational and technical education is the true gateway to the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
By spotlighting Asemota and others like him, Lagos State is sending a message: that the road to development lies in producing a digitally fluent, technically skilled workforce ready to meet both local and global demands.
Looking Ahead: What Nelson Asemota Calls For
In closing, Asemota issued a clear challenge to government, educators, and the private sector:
- Rethink the curriculum to align with digital and technical skills.
- Invest in infrastructure for practical, hands-on learning.
- Create enabling environments for partnerships between education providers and tech firms.
- Ensure inclusivity by making training accessible to underserved communities.
Conclusion
While Nelson Asemota’s award is a personal milestone, its impact is collective. It represents a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s youth—a signal that technical education is not just an alternative path, but the main road to empowerment, dignity, and national progress.
As TechPower Africa continues to expand and inspire, and as more Nigerian youths find their footing in the global digital economy, Asemota’s vision of a skills-driven renaissance may just become the blueprint for the continent’s future.
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