Young Innovators of Nigeria (YIN) has announced plans to train an additional 2,000 young Nigerians on Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital innovation and creator economy skills as part of efforts to expand digital opportunities for youths across the country.
The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of YIN, Joy Buba, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Monday, stating that the organisation is scaling up its digital empowerment initiative after successfully training more than 1,000 young Nigerians during the first cohort held in April 2026.
According to her, the second cohort will increase the total number of beneficiaries under the programme to over 3,000 within a few months, positioning the initiative among the growing youth-focused AI and digital skills programmes in Nigeria.
Buba explained that the programme is designed to equip young Nigerians with practical and income-generating digital skills that align with the changing global technology landscape and the growing creator economy.
She said participants would receive training in AI-powered content creation, digital storytelling, media innovation, YouTube monetisation, creator economy systems and other emerging digital tools that can help them build sustainable online careers and businesses.
“Following the remarkable success of its inaugural cohort in April 2026, where over 1,000 young Nigerians received foundational and practical training in Artificial Intelligence, digital innovation and emerging technologies, the organisation is now scaling the initiative to train an additional 2,000 young people virtually across Nigeria,” Buba said.
“With over 3,000 projected beneficiaries within months, the programme is rapidly emerging as one of Nigeria’s most ambitious youth-led AI literacy and digital empowerment initiatives.”
The latest announcement comes at a time when interest in AI and digital jobs continues to rise globally, with many young Nigerians turning to remote work, content creation, freelancing and digital entrepreneurship as alternative income sources amid economic challenges and unemployment concerns.
Industry experts have repeatedly stressed the importance of digital literacy and technology-driven skills in preparing African youths for the future of work, especially as AI continues to transform industries including media, education, finance, healthcare and commerce.
Speaking on the broader vision behind the initiative, Buba said Nigeria cannot afford to remain behind while other countries aggressively invest in AI education and digital transformation.
“Artificial Intelligence is reshaping economies, industries, governance, education, media, and the future of work globally. Nigeria has one of the largest youth populations in the world, and we believe that with the right access to digital knowledge and innovation platforms, our youths can become global creators, solution providers, and technology entrepreneurs,” she said.
She added that the initiative goes beyond basic technology training, noting that the programme is also focused on helping young Nigerians create economic opportunities for themselves through innovation and participation in the global digital economy.
According to her, many young people already possess creativity and talent but lack access to structured digital training, mentorship and exposure to emerging technologies that can help them compete internationally.
“Our mission is to simplify access to emerging technologies and democratise innovation for every young Nigerian, regardless of location or background. We are building a generation that can compete globally, create sustainable income online, and contribute meaningfully to national GDP growth through technology and innovation,” Buba stated.
The programme will reportedly be conducted virtually, making it accessible to participants across different states and regions of the country without geographical limitations.
Observers say initiatives focused on AI literacy and creator economy skills could play an important role in reducing youth unemployment and increasing digital participation in Nigeria, especially as more businesses and platforms continue to adopt AI-powered systems and online content monetisation models.
Buba also called for increased investment in digital education and technology access across Africa, stressing that young Africans must not be excluded from opportunities created by the fourth industrial revolution.
“As Africa positions itself within the fourth Industrial Revolution, development experts continue to stress that large scale investment in AI literacy and digital skills training will be essential for unlocking economic opportunities across the continent,” she added.
With the growing global demand for AI skills and digital creators, YIN believes the initiative can help position more Nigerian youths for opportunities in technology, remote work and the international creator economy.
