By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

No fewer than 350 graduate youths from Ogun Central Senatorial District have benefited from a Digital Literacy and Empowerment Programme, facilitated by the Senator representing the district, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, as part of efforts to address unemployment and bridge the nation’s digital skills gap.

The programme, which marked the 9th edition of the Senator’s graduate empowerment initiative, focused on Digital Marketing and Social Media Marketing skills aimed at enhancing employability, entrepreneurship and wealth creation among young Nigerians.

The training, held at the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, exposed participants to practical digital tools and strategies required to thrive in today’s global digital economy.

Participants received hands-on training in social media management, online advertising, content creation and data-driven digital marketing techniques designed to equip them for remote work opportunities, business growth and self-employment.

Speaking during the programme, Senator Salisu described digital skills as indispensable in the modern economy, stressing that Nigerian youths must position themselves for opportunities in the rapidly evolving technology space.

According to him, “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 prioritize digital skills; it is the way to get empowered for the future that is already here.”

Salisu, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, said the empowerment initiative formed part of his commitment to human capital development through technology and innovation.

He noted that digital literacy remains one of the most sustainable forms of empowerment capable of transforming lives and creating economic opportunities for young people.

The lawmaker further explained that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s Digital Literacy for All, DL4ALL, campaign and the Renewed Hope Agenda, both of which prioritize youth empowerment, employment generation and digital inclusion.

He added that the programme also complements Ogun State glovernment’s digital transformation drive, which has seen thousands of youths trained in digital and vocational skills across the state.

Highlighting some of his interventions in the education and ICT sectors, Senator Salisu disclosed that over 1,700 youths had so far benefited from various training and empowerment schemes under his sponsorship.

He said the interventions included the distribution of laptops and cash grants, ICT capacity-building programmes for teachers, sponsorship of JAMB forms for over 1,000 students, scholarships, educational materials and the establishment of ICT laboratories in public schools.

According to him, schools such as Nawairudeen Secondary School and Agbado District Comprehensive High School have already benefited from ICT infrastructure support facilitated through his office.

Some beneficiaries of previous editions of the programme reportedly shared testimonies of how the initiative helped them transition from “digital consumers to creators,” enabling them to secure freelance opportunities, expand family businesses and establish startups.

Reaffirming his dedication to education and youth development, Senator Salisu said his personal journey from a rural community in Odeda Local Government Area to the National Assembly was made possible through education.

“Education is a treasure that cannot be stolen,” the Senator stated, while pledging continued collaboration with the Ogun State Ministry of Education to institutionalise digital skills training across schools in the state.

Participants at the training expressed appreciation to the lawmaker for the opportunity, promising to deploy the acquired knowledge toward becoming self-reliant and contributing meaningfully to the economic growth of Ogun State and Nigeria.