By Adesina Wahab

As conversations continue around improving science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in Nigeria, an initiative emerging from Ijesaland is demonstrating how community-driven innovation can bridge the gap between classroom learning and the digital economy.

That educational philosophy received a major boost on July 18, 2026, when outstanding students from across Ijesaland took centrestage during the maiden Ijesa Tech Conference, where winners of the inaugural Ijesa Tech Prize were honoured alongside graduates of the Ijesa Digital Hub. 

The event highlighted a growing conviction that preparing young people for the future must begin long before they enter the labour market.

The Ijesa Digital Hub (IDH), an initiative of the Ijesaland Global Alliance for Development (IGAD), is expanding the frontiers of technology education through programmes that introduce students to innovation, digital literacy and problem-solving from secondary school while equipping young adults with industry-relevant digital skills.

Education stakeholders say the Hub’s approach reflects a growing recognition that preparing students for the future requires more than traditional classroom instruction. It demands practical exposure to emerging technologies, critical thinking and responsible digital citizenship.

According to the Executive Director of the Ijesa Digital Hub, Dr. Cornelius Adewale, preparing young people for the digital economy must begin long before they enter higher education or the workforce.

“Innovation is not something that starts after graduation. It begins when young people are encouraged to ask questions, solve problems and think creatively from an early age. Through the Ijesa Tech Prize and our Digital Citizenship Programme, we are building a learning pathway that nurtures curiosity in secondary school and develops it into professional competence and entrepreneurship.”

At the centre of this strategy is the Ijesa Tech Prize, a competition designed to stimulate interest in STEM education among secondary school students across Ijesaland.

The maiden edition attracted 65 secondary schools and more than 130 students, who participated in technology and innovation-based challenges that encouraged creativity, teamwork and practical problem-solving. 

During the July 18 conference, outstanding schools and student innovators received awards and cash prizes, while leading public secondary schools were recognised for excellence, reinforcing the importance of nurturing innovation from an early age.

Delivering the welcome address at the conference, Chairman of IGAD, Prince Abimbola Olashore, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to investing in people, technology and innovation as the foundation for sustainable development, noting that preparing young people for the digital economy is central to that vision.

Expanding on IGAD’s vision, Prince Olashore said preparing young people for the future requires rethinking how education is delivered, ensuring students acquire not only academic knowledge but also the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

“The future will belong to communities that prepare their young people not only to pass examinations but also to solve problems, innovate and adapt to new technologies. Through initiatives like the Ijesa Tech Prize and the Digital Citizenship Programme, we are encouraging curiosity, creativity and critical thinking from an early age because these are the qualities that will define future success.”

Reflecting on the evolution of IGAD, the Ajirowa of Ijesaland, Chief Lateef Bakare, a member of the Board of Trustees and one of the organisation’s founding members, said empowering young people through education has always been central to the organisation’s mission.

“From the inception of IGAD, we recognised that sustainable development begins with education. We wanted to unite Ijesa professionals around the world not only to contribute resources but also to create opportunities that would prepare our young people for the future. The Ijesa Tech Prize and the Digital Citizenship Programme demonstrate how that vision is taking shape by inspiring the next generation to embrace innovation, knowledge and lifelong learning.”

Complementing the competition is the Ijesa Digital Citizenship Programme, which introduces students to responsible technology use, online safety, digital ethics, media literacy and critical thinking. The programme also provides foundational digital skills increasingly regarded as essential for learning, employment and responsible participation in today’s digital society.

One of the conference’s intellectual highlights was a panel discussion titled “Igniting Innovation in Ijesaland and Beyond,” moderated by the Executive Director of the Ijesa Digital Hub, Dr. Cornelius Adewale. The discussion explored how innovation, entrepreneurship and technology education can better prepare young people for the future of work.

Among the panellists, cybersecurity expert and Founder of CyberCode Limited, Mr. Tunji Igbalajobi, challenged participants to think beyond the passive use of technology.

“Don’t just be consumers online; be producers. Innovation starts with production, not consumption,” he said, encouraging students to create technology solutions capable of addressing real-life challenges.

Education experts have consistently argued that digital citizenship has become an important component of modern education as schools seek to prepare learners for responsible participation in an increasingly digital environment.

For the Ijesa Digital Hub, these school-based interventions represent the first stage of a broader educational pathway that supports learners from secondary school through professional technology training and ultimately into entrepreneurship and employment.

Since commencing operations in early 2024, the Hub has trained more than 350 young people through various programmes. More than 200 participants have completed specialised technology training, while 112 graduates have successfully completed career-focused programmes in cybersecurity, software development, artificial intelligence, data analytics and UI/UX design. Many have progressed to internships, professional certification programmes, remote employment opportunities and careers within Nigeria’s growing technology sector.

Unlike conventional ICT training centres, the Hub integrates technical education with mentorship, project-based learning, portfolio development, certification support and career guidance, giving participants practical experience alongside theoretical knowledge.

The initiative also demonstrates the value of partnerships in expanding access to quality technology education. Technology scholarships are funded through collaborations involving IGAD, the Ijesa Development Council (IDC), corporate organisations, development partners, philanthropists and members of the Ijesa diaspora.

That collaborative effort was further strengthened during the July 18 conference with the presentation of ¦ 5 million worth of technology training scholarships under the IDC IVETP Programme and IGAD partnership. The conference also celebrated the graduation of 46 trainees who completed intensive programmes in software development, cybersecurity, data analytics, UI/UX design and artificial intelligence tools mastery.

Reflecting on the significance of the initiative, IGAD Vice President Dr. Wale Alonge said sustained investment in STEM education is essential to preparing communities for the opportunities and challenges of the digital age.

“Preparing young people for the future requires collaboration among schools, communities, development partners and the private sector. By investing in STEM education and digital skills today, we are equipping the next generation with the knowledge and confidence to create solutions, seize opportunities and contribute meaningfully to national development.”

Representing the Ijesa Development Council, Lady Modupe Ajayi Gbadebo, Vice President II of the Council, described the collaboration between IDC and IGAD as a model capable of accelerating human capital development across Ijesaland and expressed confidence that it would continue opening life-changing opportunities for young people.

The conference concluded with an endorsement from the Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, His Imperial Majesty Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, Ajimoko III, who commended IGAD and the Ijesa Digital Hub for their commitment to education, innovation and youth empowerment, pledging continued support for initiatives that position Ijesaland as a centre of excellence in technology and innovation.

As education systems around the world continue adapting to rapid technological change, initiatives that combine STEM education, digital citizenship and practical innovation are becoming increasingly important. The experience emerging from Ijesaland suggests that when communities deliberately invest in nurturing curiosity, creativity and digital competence from an early age, they lay the foundation not only for future careers but also for a generation capable of driving innovation and sustainable national development.