Over 2,000 youths have received training on how to use technology to build entrepreneurial ventures that can make them self-reliant and employers of labour. The training was part of a three-day conference held in Ilorin, tagged Kwara Build Tech Conference, Next Builders, Build Africa’s Future Through Local Innovation and Global Vision (KBTEC ’25).
Speaking at the closing of the conference, the lead organiser, Kamaldeen Kehinde, said the initiative was created to connect young people with better opportunities that can shape their future. He explained that the programme focused on teaching participants how to leverage technology infrastructure to solve emerging challenges and create sustainable solutions.
According to him, the initiative, conceived eight years ago, has trained over ten thousand participants. He added that the programme can also be used to address security challenges facing the country through collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
Kehinde said tools like CCTV cameras and robotics tracking can be deployed to help tackle insecurity in different communities. He noted that technology-driven solutions remain important for government agencies and private organisations working to improve safety.
In their separate remarks, the co-founders of the training programme, Ibraheem Zulkifil and Mohammed Yahay, said the goal of the initiative is to gather stakeholders to discuss how technology can be used to solve real problems in communities. They stated that after the training, youths and service providers would be better positioned to use technology to improve productivity in their various fields.
Some participants, including Product Designer Akanji Aishat and Software Engineer Daniel Olowoniyi, expressed satisfaction with the skills gained during the programme. They said artificial intelligence is now at the centre of many solutions and can be used to tackle both human and community problems.
