By Adeola Ogunlade
The Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has called for increased investment in education and digital innovation among young Nigerians, with a special emphasis on the inclusion of the boy child in national development efforts.
She made this appeal during the second edition of the Future Innovators Festival 2.0, which held in Lagos under the theme “Ignite: Building Future Innovators.” The event attracted over 5,000 participants, including students from 83 schools, educators, school proprietors, tech enthusiasts, and representatives from corporate organizations.
The festival showcased an array of engaging activities such as robotics and virtual reality demonstrations, talent exhibitions, music and dance performances, innovation competitions, school pitches, and awards ceremonies.
In her address, Dr. Sanwo-Olu emphasized the importance of nurturing technological talent from an early age and urged stakeholders to ensure equal opportunities for both girls and boys in innovation and education.
Today is apt for remembering our boys,” she said, in recognition of the International Day of the Boy Child, observed on May 16. “As much as they are learning education, they must also learn technology.”
“Please, don’t waste your opportunity. Learn, unlearn, and relearn,” she advised, while also cautioning them to avoid substance abuse and instead become advocates for positive change in their communities.
“There is no shame in learning from children. We must all be tech-savvy. The future belongs to those who are ready for it and today proves that the future innovators are already here,” she said.
Convener and founder of Indepth Computers and Information Services, Nathaniel Adoyi, in his welcome address, described the festival as “a place where lives are transformed and dreams are birthed.” He stressed the need for curriculum reforms that incorporate digital and technological skills from primary school levels.
“Nigeria has raw, untapped talent in children. If we invest in them early, especially in underserved communities, we will build the next generation of world-class innovators.”
He called on government and private organizations to partner in providing more platforms like Future Innovators Festival, specifically designed for children aged 7 to 17.
One of the judges, Benjamin Oladokun, pointed out the importance of building solutions that are relevant and impactful:
“We assessed their ideas based on the problem they addressed, the solution proposed, societal relevance, confidence, and timeliness. What we saw today gives hope that the future is in very capable hands”, he said.
Among the highlights of the event were the Under-17 Tech Challenge competitions across three categories: Junior Category: Osemudiamen Jackson from Igbobi College, Yaba, Daniel Emuh – Headstart Private School (Secondary) and Tiwatope Aiyenitaju – Good Inheritance College.
Middle Category: Brian Amakhabi from BFET School, Lagos, Adeoluwa Fabusuyi – Straitgate School and Shiloh Olurotimi from Mic-Mary School and Senior Category: Adegboye Moses Acadia Hilltop, Emmanuel Ukandu – Straitgate College and Tofarati Atobiloye – Straitgate College
Each first-place winner went home with a brand-new laptop, while runners-up received tech tablets and educational supplies.
