A youth development advocate and public sector innovator, Ilesanmi Ade-Ademola, has said Nigeria’s progress and sustainability depend largely on empowering its young population to lead in the digital space.

He stated that strength of any modern nation lies not just in its natural resources, but in the creativity and productivity of its people.

Speaking on importance of youth participation in technology and innovation, Ade-Ademola, who is also the Founder of Prime Property by LAH and the upcoming PrimePredict AI, a real estate intelligence platform leveraging data and technology to guide smarter investments across Africa stated that with over 60 percent of Nigeria’s population under the age of 30, the nation’s greatest potential lies in digital empowerment and innovation-driven youth inclusion. 

He warned that despite this demographic advantage, millions of Nigerian youths remain disconnected from the digital economy due to limited access to relevant skills, mentorship, and infrastructure. 

He said: “This gap is not just a social issue; it’s an economic loss of national proportion.”

Ade-Ademola maintained that true empowerment must transcend political rhetoric and token interventions.

He urged government agencies, private organisations and public institutions to invest in digital education, entrepreneurship, and innovation ecosystems across all regions of the country.

He noted that every young person trained in coding, digital product development, or technology-driven services contributes directly to the country’s GDP, job creation, and global competitiveness.

“When young people are given the tools to succeed, they don’t just empower themselves, they become creators, innovators, and employers.”

Drawing from his experience in leading youth empowerment and digital innovation programs, Ade-Ademola highlighted numerous success stories of young Nigerians who have leveraged technology to transform their lives and communities, from artisans learning digital skills to students turning local challenges into viable tech solutions.

He however said Nigeria’s economic future would not be built by oil or politics, but by innovation and human capital development, calling for a deliberate national shift from consumption to creation and from dependence to digital independence. 

“If we truly want a nation that competes globally, we must empower our young people not just to dream, but to build to create solutions, drive industries, and shape the next wave of Africa’s digital leadership.”

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