Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has urged African youth to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a means to advance their careers and contribute to societal progress.
This message was delivered at the fifth edition of the Presidential Youth Mentoring Retreat, held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Youth Development Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The event attracted participants from across Nigeria and other African nations.
Obasanjo, sharing insights from his experience, emphasized the transformative potential of AI.
“If I’m your age or I’m between 20 and 35 years and I don’t have a lot of money, I will zero in on AI,” he advised. Reflecting on the future, he noted, “I know that this is 2024, and that by 2040, that’s 15 years from now, the number of driverless vehicles on the road in the world will increase because of AI. What the AI will be doing will be unimaginable.”
He recounted a personal encounter with AI technology, saying, “Somebody tried AI for me, and he asked me to write a lecture on a subject. I was surprised. AI wrote the lecture, and he showed it to me. He asked AI to correct the lecture, and it corrected the lecture, and that lecture was perfect. If I were your age, and I have not settled for something, I will go for AI.”
In addition to Obasanjo’s insights, entrepreneur Dr. Ifeanyi Stanley spoke about the keys to success, including mentorship, integrity, hard work, humility, and continuous learning.
In a related development, the federal government has highlighted the importance of youth involvement in democracy and nation-building. During a youth reorientation program titled “The Next Generation Project” in Abeokuta, Senior Special Assistant to the President, Ms. Rinsola Abiola, emphasized President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to empowering young Nigerians for a prosperous future.
She encouraged youth to become active citizens who contribute to national development through civic engagement and community involvement.
“I would also like to encourage you to consider careers in politics and public service, as it remains a highly effective way to contribute to building the Nigeria of our dreams,” Abiola urged. She also emphasized the importance of skill acquisition and personal growth for economic advancement.
Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, the State Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, echoed these sentiments, stating that engaging and empowering youths is crucial to nurturing the next generation of leaders and responsible citizens.
Through these initiatives, both Obasanjo and the Federal Government aim to inspire a new wave of innovation and active participation among African youths, leveraging AI and education as catalysts for sustainable development.
