Exploit Emerging Technologies To Build Solutions, Tijani Tells Students

The minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, has challenged Nigerian students to become active drivers of innovation and technological development, urging them to leverage emerging technologies to build solutions that can transform the nation’s economy.

The minister made the call during the official commissioning and handover of the Renewed Hope–NITDA Innovation Hub at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, a statement issued on Tuesday by the spokesperson for the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Hadiza Umar, said.

The facility, established by NITDA in partnership with the Renewed Hope Initiative, is equipped with modern laboratories for Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, Additive Manufacturing, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Addressing students, academics, alumni, and stakeholders at the event, Dr Tijani described the hub as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future, stressing that its true value lies not in the infrastructure itself but in the people who will utilise it.

“Innovation does not come from buildings; innovation comes from people,” he said. “Before all these buildings, this university had been producing talent, innovators, and people who have changed our country for good. It is not these buildings alone that will do it,” he added.

The minister noted that the facility was created to bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical application, providing students with a platform to transform ideas into real-world solutions. He explained that in today’s digital age, access to knowledge is no longer the primary challenge for young people.

“A lot of students are in school today at a time when knowledge itself is ubiquitous,” he said. “There is nothing your teachers want to teach you that you cannot find online. The biggest challenge today is the ability to apply the knowledge that you have been given or that you find.”

According to him, innovation hubs such as the newly commissioned centre are designed to enable students to experiment, create, and develop solutions that can address societal challenges while contributing to national development.

“If you want to know how to build a helicopter today, you can find it on Generative AI,” Dr Tijani stated. “But the question is, can you translate that knowledge into action? That is what centres like these are meant for. When you are taught, you come here and apply that knowledge to build something,” he averred.

He further called on students, faculty members, and alumni to ensure that the facility remains accessible and fully utilised, warning against allowing the centre to become an underused asset.

The minister emphasised that Nigeria’s aspiration to become a leading digital economy will depend largely on young people’s ability to develop innovative solutions and create value through technology.

“The leaders can try, but if you do not apply your knowledge to build solutions, we will not get to where we need to be,” he said. “This is an important asset. You have to take care of it and ensure it serves the purpose for which it was established,” he concluded.

In his remarks, the vice chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor A. S. Bamire, expressed profound appreciation to the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, and the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, for their sustained support and strategic investments in the university’s digital transformation journey.

Professor Bamire highlighted several contributions made by the Minister, including the donation of 50 laptops to students, a $1,000 support fund for student innovators, and the promise to provide a 30-kilometre fibre-optic network to enhance internet connectivity across the institution. He described the Minister as a valued stakeholder whose commitment continues to have a positive impact on the university community.

The vice chancellor also commended the NITDA director general for the Agency’s consistent support through the provision of critical digital infrastructure and innovation facilities. According to him, these interventions have significantly strengthened the university’s capacity to adopt information technology, enhanced students’ digital literacy and skills, and created greater opportunities for innovation, research, and technology-driven learning.

He noted that the partnership between NITDA and the university has played a pivotal role in preparing students to thrive in an increasingly digital world, the statement added.

The Renewed Hope–NITDA Innovation Hub forms part of ongoing efforts by NITDA to strengthen Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem, promote digital skills development, and equip young Nigerians with the tools required to compete in the global digital economy.

By providing access to advanced technologies and hands-on learning opportunities, the initiative is expected to empower students with the skills, creativity, and entrepreneurial mindset needed to drive technological advancement and support Nigeria’s journey towards a thriving digital future.