The Federal government has admonished Nigerian youths to harness the opportunities in artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool to boost productivity and fast-track national development.

FG through the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, delivering the Distinguished Personality Lecture Series at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, stressed that innovation, digital skills and responsible adoption of emerging technologies are critical to driving economic growth and global competitiveness.

Tijani charged young innovators to be part of Nigeria’s problem solvers that would change the country’s narrative from one filled with challenges to one abounding with opportunities.

According to him, “To young innovators: we live at a time that is totally different. Of course, there is so much more that we all desire for our society. We should switch our framing from a society that is filled with challenges to one that is filled with opportunities to build, because the future we require in Nigeria will require many people building new things.

“I am not saying this only as a Minister, but as someone who took the same position. I worked with someone from this university to build the first known innovation hub in Nigeria. Today, it is known across Africa. We supported many people to build solutions to problems in Nigeria, and that is what every young Nigerian should be doing.”

 Speaking about AI, he said the technology is not meant to replace critical thinking, but is rather a tool to sieve through the vast amounts of information available to humans.

“Artificial Intelligence is not about replacing critical thinking; it is about helping humans sieve through the multiple streams of information you have to deal with. The ability to use AI productively will still require you to apply your creative confidence. If you don’t have the ability to apply the knowledge or insight that AI gives you, it will not do the work for you.”

He added that the Federal Government would partner with institutions like the Obafemi Awolowo University, which focus not only on teaching but also on research and creating new ideas to drive the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

Tijani continued “Technology gives you the ability to do what you have always been doing in better ways, and that would not be possible without new thinking, ideas, and technology. Institutions like this help us not just to come up with new science, but also to apply that science and train people to do things better. If we want to improve agriculture, for example, we need people who understand how to use new technology.

“I think we are fortunate to hear the number of ideas being generated at this university. It shows that this is an institution not just about training, but also about researching and generating new ideas. That is why we are here to partner with the university, with a view to helping us achieve the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu.”

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