Senator Shuaib Salisu, representing Ogun Central and Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, has provided laptops and cash to more than 200 students and youth leaders across the state following a three-day Information and Communications Technology (ICT) training.
The training, facilitated by Salisu, took place at his constituency office on Abiola Way, Olorunsogo, Abeokuta, Ogun State. According to a statement released on Friday, the senator, who joined the event via Zoom from Kenya where he was on official duty, urged the beneficiaries to leverage the skills acquired to improve their personal digital capabilities and service delivery.
“The future is digital, and you can see the wonders being done with Artificial Intelligence, among other skills. To stay relevant, our students and youth must prioritise digital skills; it is the way to get empowered for the future that is already here,” Salisu said.
The programme targeted student leaders from various higher institutions, including the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori, Olabisi Onabanjo University (Abeokuta Campus), Federal College of Education, Osiele, and Moshood Abiola Polytechnic. It also included Christian and Muslim youth leaders, with representatives from the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Ogun Central Muslim Community among the beneficiaries.
Student union presidents and youth leaders expressed gratitude to the senator for the gesture, promising to make productive use of the laptops and cash support. Religious community representatives also commended Salisu, praying for his continued success and prosperity.
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The initiative forms part of Salisu’s ongoing interventions aimed at enhancing ICT knowledge and individual development within Ogun Central senatorial district. The programme aligns with Nigeria’s national “Digital Literacy for All” (DL4ALL) campaign, which seeks to raise the country’s digital literacy rate from 50% to 95% by 2030.
Despite the country’s progress, challenges remain, including inadequate infrastructure, limited access to electricity, a shortage of trained ICT educators, and gender disparities in digital awareness, particularly among women.
Salisu reaffirmed his commitment to promoting impactful projects and providing robust representation for his constituents at the National Assembly.