The Federal Government, in partnership with a member of the House of Representatives, has trained and equipped 210 young people in Oyo State with digital skills and work tools aimed at improving their chances in the modern economy.

The initiative, held in Ibadan, was facilitated by Stanley Olajide, who represents Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West Federal Constituency, in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency. Participants were trained in digital marketing, cybersecurity basics, remote work, and technology-enabled entrepreneurship, and many left the venue with brand-new laptops.

Olajide, chairman of the House Committee on Digital, Information Communication Technology and Cybersecurity, said the programme was designed as a direct response to youth unemployment and the widening digital divide. He described technology as both his legislative focus and personal passion, stressing that empowering young Nigerians with relevant skills was central to his work.

He explained that the training was part of a multi-phase scheme targeting hundreds more beneficiaries. About 210 youths took part in the current batch, with another 150 expected in the next cohort. According to him, up to ten phases are planned, building on an earlier edition held in the constituency.

Beyond classroom sessions, each participant received financial support ranging from N30,000 to N50,000 to help launch or strengthen digital ventures. Olajide said the funds were disbursed in cash to avoid transaction delays and ensure transparency, adding that the laptops and stipends were meant to provide a practical springboard into the digital economy.

He emphasised that the programme was only a foundation for more advanced opportunities in areas such as artificial intelligence and blockchain. Drawing parallels with India’s investment in technology education and the rise of Bangalore as a global tech hub, he argued that Ibadan and other Nigerian cities could be similarly transformed through sustained digital training and innovation support.

Olajide urged beneficiaries to use the tools and knowledge responsibly, remain focused, and continue upgrading their skills. The broader goal, he said, is to produce a generation of young Nigerians capable of competing globally, creating jobs, and driving innovation from Oyo State and beyond.

A representative of NITDA, Eedris Faruk, noted that the curriculum also covered digital literacy, responsible use of online platforms, artificial intelligence awareness, and setting up online businesses, with the aim of boosting education, entrepreneurship, and employment among the participants.