Meta Empowers Nigerian Youth Through Technology

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has reaffirmed its dedication to fostering innovation, promoting digital literacy, and equipping young Nigerians with the tools and opportunities needed to realize their potential and contribute to the nation’s expanding digital economy.

This commitment was highlighted at Meta’s inaugural Youth Summit held in Lagos, which brought together over 200 young professionals, students, recent graduates, creatives, tech enthusiasts, and aspiring entrepreneurs.

The summit, themed “Empowering Youth Through Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship,” featured panel discussions, mentoring sessions, and interactive workshops aimed at providing participants with the skills, insights, and networks to excel in a technology-driven world.

Phil Oduor, Head of Policy Programs for Sub-Saharan Africa at Meta, emphasized the company’s belief in the transformative power of youth, stating, “At Meta, we believe that today’s youth are tomorrow’s change-makers. Through initiatives like the Youth Summit, we aim to foster innovation, promote digital literacy, and empower young Nigerians to contribute to Nigeria’s growing digital economy.”

Femi Aluko, CEO and Co-Founder of Chowdeck, delivered the keynote address, sharing his journey of overcoming obstacles to achieve success in the tech industry. He encouraged attendees to harness the vast opportunities within the technology ecosystem.

A panel discussion moderated by Chinny Francis, Public Policy Manager at Meta, included Nifemi Akinwamide, Head of Operations at Alt School; Adaora Mbelu, Co-Founder of Lumination Global; and Obaloluwa Adeagbo, Marketing Lead at Talstack. The panelists offered valuable insights on the future of work, emphasizing the importance of personal branding, self-awareness, soft skills, lifelong learning, and problem-solving in thriving within a digital landscape.

Francis Sani, Technical Adviser for Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Capital at the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, also spoke at the event. He spotlighted the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program, which aims to strengthen Nigeria’s technical talent base, support the digital economy, and position Nigeria as a global talent exporter. Sani urged young Nigerians to seize the opportunities provided by this initiative.