A tech entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer of S. Mobile, Dr. Ifeanyi Adonu, has reaffirmed his commitment to youth digital empowerment following his recognition as an outstanding entrepreneur by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Enugu State Council.

Adonu spoke shortly after receiving the award in Enugu, where he highlighted the role of technology education in equipping young Nigerians with skills needed to thrive in the modern digital economy.

The telecom entrepreneur said his passion for youth empowerment informed the establishment of the S. Mobile Tech Institute, a training hub designed to provide young people, particularly those in the Southeast region of the country, with practical technology skills.

He explained that the institute focuses on areas such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, robotics and software development, which he described as essential competencies in an increasingly digital world.

According to him, the initiative is aimed at redirecting the energy and creativity of young people in Enugu and the Southeast toward productive innovation rather than cybercrime and other illegal activities.

“The idea is to change the mindset of our youths. Instead of using their knowledge for crime, they can develop applications, work in cybersecurity and build technology solutions that will benefit society,” Adonu said.

He disclosed that the institute, which was registered in 2024 and officially launched in September 2025, offers both online and physical learning programmes for students within and outside Nigeria.

Adonu noted that the programmes were designed to be accessible to a wide range of participants, including young students who are introduced to digital skills early in their educational journey.

To further encourage participation, he revealed that the institute occasionally offers free one-month training opportunities, particularly for indigenes of Enugu State and Southeast, to enable more young people explore careers in technology.

Beyond training, the S. Mobile boss said the institute also supports innovation by helping students transform their projects into practical tools that can be used commercially.

“For instance, if a student develops an application during training, we help integrate services into the platform so it becomes functional and can generate value,” he explained.

Adonu stressed that empowering young people with technology skills would not only reduce unemployment but also strengthen Nigeria’s growing digital economy.

He added that the initiative complements his company’s telecommunications business, which operates as a major distribution partner of MTN Nigeria in the Southeast.

According to him, the telecom sector has expanded significantly in recent years, creating new opportunities for digital services, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Adonu therefore urged young Nigerians to embrace technology and take advantage of digital opportunities emerging across different sectors of the economy.

He described the NUJ recognition as both an honour and a call to intensify efforts aimed at building a generation of technology-driven entrepreneurs in Nigeria.

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