Stakeholders urge Nigerian youth to embrace digital innovation as tool for entrepreneurship

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s education and technology sectors have urged young Nigerians to embrace digital innovation as a pathway to entrepreneurship and sustainable development, saying the nation’s future depends on nurturing creative, self-reliant minds from an early age.

This call came in Abuja during the unveiling of new educational tools designed to support the implementation of the 2025 basic education curriculum for primary and junior secondary schools.

The event, organised by BMI Finishing School, drew policymakers, educators, civil society groups, and parents to discuss strategies for empowering the next generation through practical, skill-based learning.

In his keynote address, Nnamdi Felix Unachukwu, executive chairman and founder of BMI Finishing School, said the new digital skill lab introduced by the organisation offers visual and practical training to pupils while the physical infrastructure for the curriculum rollout is being developed.

“Unemployment is high, poverty levels are rising, and youth restlessness continues to grow. Entrepreneurship education is now an urgent necessity—not merely an option,” Unachukwu said.

He explained that global studies have shown that sustained economic growth is driven by innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly when introduced early.

“Research indicates that the optimal age to introduce entrepreneurship education is between 7 and 14. This makes our basic education system the ideal platform for nurturing job creators rather than job seekers,” he added.

Unachukwu noted that the evolving global education landscape, dominated by artificial intelligence and digital tools, requires Nigeria to move beyond theoretical learning.

He said the new curriculum focuses on digital literacy, vocational training, entrepreneurship, and practical skills, shifting away from the certificate-driven model that has left many graduates unemployable.

“The old curriculum was designed to produce employable graduates. Sadly, our population growth has far outpaced the labour market’s capacity,” he said.

Unachukwu disclosed that BMI Finishing School has already launched a pilot phase of the programme in Lagos and Niger States, reaching about 20 public schools with educational materials and digital tools.

“The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with several top private schools, especially in Lagos—adopting these tools,” he revealed.

He added that the BMI skill-lab model, designed for schools and communities, equips students with practical, hands-on experience.

The initiative aligns with the National Council on Education’s directive that every child completing primary or secondary school must acquire at least two practical skills.

Unachukwu also said discussions are ongoing with three state governments to scale up the programme nationwide.

“This initiative addresses the critical need for age-appropriate educational materials to support the new curriculum, transforming what some may see as a sudden shift into a well-planned educational revolution,” he stated.

Speaking at the event, Hilary Akpua, founder of the Great Achievers Initiative for Youth and Community Development (GAIYD), underscored the importance of training teachers to deliver the new curriculum effectively.

“Educators must be equipped with the necessary skills to deliver digital and entrepreneurship content effectively,” Akpua said, adding that improved infrastructure, such as computer labs, robotics kits, and reliable internet access was essential.

He said GAIYD is partnering with BMI to extend the initiative to local communities, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and North Central region.

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“Many children don’t have the means to support their families. This curriculum gives them a way to contribute meaningfully,” he noted, urging parents, NGOs, and political leaders to adopt the new tools to fight poverty at the grassroots.

Also speaking, Okey Ikechukwu, executive director of Development Specs Academy, called for stronger public-private partnerships to support digital and entrepreneurship learning.

“We need collaboration with technology companies to provide mentorship and real-world learning experiences for students,” Ikechukwu said.

He concluded that empowering children with hands-on skills would “shift their mindset” and prepare them to compete in the global economy.

“If we can train our children in practical skills, it will open their eyes to the world within and around them, creating a generation ready to drive global progress,” he said.