A Hidden Treasure Trove of Talent
In Nigeria and beyond, a staggering number of young people are teaching themselves to code, build apps, and develop skills that could change the world. But despite this abundance of talent, opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship are scarce.
It’s a phenomenon I’ve witnessed firsthand, from a young man in his final year at university who had built working apps in his free time to a group of teenagers in a Lagos slum who had created their own tech startup. These stories illustrate a paradox: while talent is everywhere, opportunity is not.
A Pathway to Opportunity
According to experts, building pathways, not just training, is key to bridging this critical gap. “Skills alone aren’t enough to guarantee opportunities,” says Tunde Ajijola, a Nigerian tech entrepreneur. “We need to create a network of mentors, incubators, and accelerators that can help young people turn their ideas into reality.”
Ajijola’s words are echoed by Femi Longe, the founder of the Lagos-based tech hub, Co-Creation Hub. “We’re not just about training people to code,” he says. “We’re about creating a community that supports and empowers them to build businesses and solve real-world problems.”
What this means
In practical terms, this means that governments, organizations, and individuals must work together to create a supportive ecosystem that helps young people turn their talents into opportunities. This could involve setting up incubators and accelerators, providing mentorship and funding, and creating policies that support entrepreneurship and innovation. By doing so, we can unlock the full potential of the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs.
As Olugbenga Agboola, the CEO of Interswitch, points out, “When we create opportunities for young people to succeed, we’re not just empowering them – we’re also driving economic growth and development.” The future of innovation and entrepreneurship depends on our ability to recognize and support the talent that’s already out there. By building pathways, not just training, we can ensure that talent is matched with opportunity – and that the world benefits as a result.
