The Federal Government, through the National Information Technology Development Agency, partnered with Rep Stanley Olajide to train 210 youths in Ibadan on digital marketing, cybersecurity, remote work and tech entrepreneurship. The programme took place at Dapo Aderogba Hall, Nigeria Union of Journalists state secretariat in Iyaganku, Ibadan. Olajide, representing Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West Federal Constituency, facilitated the initiative as part of his ongoing digital empowerment drive.
Beneficiaries received laptops and cash grants ranging from N30,000 to N50,000 to support digital venture startups. The funds were distributed in physical cash to prevent delays from network issues. This phase marks the second in a planned ten-phase project, with 150 more participants expected next week, bringing the total to 360. An earlier phase was held late last year.
Olajide, chairman of the House Committee on Digital, ICT and Cybersecurity, described technology as both his professional focus and personal passion. He said the goal is to lay a foundation for Nigerian youths to engage with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain. He cited India's development of Bangalore as a tech hub through sustained training, suggesting Ibadan could follow a similar path.
Stanley Olajide claims to be building a tech future for Ibadan youth while handing out N50,000 in cash—a sum that barely covers a laptop's market price. If the goal is real digital competitiveness, the funding model contradicts the scale of the ambition. Those 210 beneficiaries now have devices and modest cash, but no guarantee of internet access, sustained mentorship or market opportunities. The gesture looks more like political branding than structural empowerment.
💡 NaijaBuzz is an AI-assisted news aggregator. This content is curated from third-party sources — NaijaBuzz is not the original publisher and is not responsible for the accuracy of source reporting. The NaijaBuzz Take is AI-assisted editorial opinion only, not established fact. All persons mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. NaijaBuzz does not endorse the views expressed in source articles.
