IYD 2024: From clicks to progress: Youth digital pathways for sustainable development

…Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals requires a seismic shift – which can only happen if we empower young people and work with them as equals. – UN Secretary-General António Guterres

Every 12th day of August, the world celebrates the youths on the occasion of the International Youth Day (IYD), an awareness day designated by the United Nations (UN) to draw attention to a given set of cultural and legal issues surrounding youths.

The day gives an opportunity to commemorate and mainstream young peoples’ voices, actions and initiatives, as well as their meaningful, universal and equitable engagement.

As the world commemorates the International Youth Day (IYD) 2024 today, we reflect on the theme “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development,” celebrating the role of young people in harnessing technology for a better, more sustainable future.

In an increasingly interconnected world, the digital revolution has transformed every aspect of our lives, from communication to commerce, education, and beyond. For today’s youth, this digital landscape offers unprecedented

opportunities to contribute to sustainable development, driving change with just a click.

Digitalization is transforming our world, offering unprecedented opportunities to accelerate sustainable development. Digital technologies such as mobile devices, services, and artificial intelligence are instrumental in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The youths of the world occupy a prime position in the global demographics. Half of the people on our planet are 30 or younger, and this is expected to reach 57% by the end of 2030. Survey shows that 67% of people believe in a better future, with 15 to 17-year-olds being the most optimistic about this. The majority of people agree that the age balance in politics is wrong. More than two thirds (69%) of people across all age groups agree that more opportunities for younger people to have a say in policy development/change would make political systems better. Globally, only 2.6% of parliamentarians are under 30 years old, and less than 1% of these young MPs are women.

Nigeria, often referred to as the “Giant of Africa,” is home to a vibrant youth population that forms the backbone of the nation’s progress. With over 60% of its population under the age of 25, Nigeria’s youth are pivotal in driving the country’s social, economic, and technological transformation. In the digital age, their potential is amplified, making them key players in achieving sustainable development.

As we commemorate the International Youth Day (IYD) 2024, this piece highlights the role of Nigerian youths in leveraging technology to create a brighter future.

“The youth of the world represent our legacy and our values. It’s up to all of us to ensure they have every opportunity to succeed. IYF does exactly that. Let’s collectively strive to ‘leave this world a better place than we found it’ by assisting every child in succeeding in this mission.” —Andrew J. Elder, President & CEO, The Elder Group, LLC

I’ll look at certain areas Nigeria has had some quick-wins. These include the following;

1. Improving the Digital Landscape in Nigeria:

Nigeria has witnessed significant growth in its digital infrastructure over the past decade. With approximately 108 million internet users as of 2024, Nigeria ranks among the top countries with the highest number of internet users in Africa. This connectivity has opened up a world of opportunities for young Nigerians, enabling them to access information, build networks, and create innovative solutions to local and global challenges.

However, while urban areas in Nigeria enjoy relatively good access to digital tools and services, rural areas still face significant challenges. Bridging this digital divide is crucial to ensuring that all Nigerian youth can contribute to sustainable development.

2. Youth-Led Digital Innovations:

Nigerian youth are at the forefront of digital innovation, developing solutions that address critical issues in areas such as agriculture, education, healthcare, and finance. One notable example is Farmcrowdy, an agritech platform co-founded by Onyeka Akumah. Farmcrowdy connects small-scale farmers with investors, providing them with the resources needed to expand their operations and adopt sustainable farming practices. This digital platform has not only improved food security in Nigeria but also created jobs for thousands of young people.

Another inspiring example is Lifebank, a healthcare technology company founded by Temie Giwa-Tubosun. Lifebank uses digital tools to connect blood banks with hospitals in need, ensuring that life-saving blood is delivered in the shortest time possible. This innovation has had a profound impact on healthcare delivery in Nigeria, particularly in rural areas where access to medical resources is limited.

3. Digital Skills for Sustainable Development:

To fully harness the potential of digital technology, Nigerian youths must be equipped with the necessary skills. Initiatives that provide access to digital education and training are crucial in ensuring that young people across the country, can participate fully in the digital economy. Programs like coding boot camps, online courses, and digital entrepreneurship training offer pathways for youths to develop the skills needed to innovate and drive sustainable solutions.

Remarkable initiatives such as the Andela program have been instrumental in providing young Nigerians with training in software development, preparing them for careers in the global tech industry. Andela’s success in training world-class developers has not only created job opportunities but also positioned Nigeria as a hub for technological talent in Africa.

Moreover, the Nigerian government, in collaboration with private sector partners, has launched various digital literacy programs aimed at empowering youths with the skills needed to thrive in the digital economy. Programs like the Digital Economy Skills Program of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy are helping to build a generation of digitally savvy youths who can contribute to sustainable economic growth.

The National Digital Economy & e-Governance Bill which has passed the first reading at the National Assembly, is poised to significantly transform Nigeria’s digital landscape, fostering sustainable economic growth, enhancing public

services, and promoting an inclusive digital society. The bill sets a solid foundation for Nigeria to thrive in the digital age, ensuring sustainable development and a competitive edge in the global market. The Act also made provision for the establishment of the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship, a Startup Investment Seed Fund.

4. Addressing the Digital Divide:

Despite these successes, the digital divide remains a significant challenge in Nigeria. Access to affordable internet, digital devices, and electricity is still limited in many rural and underserved areas. To address this, initiatives such as Project 1000, launched by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), aim to provide internet connectivity to rural communities across the country. Additionally, the expansion of the National Broadband Plan is expected to increase internet penetration and improve digital access for all Nigerians.

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A robust digital economy is impossible to achieve without a digitally skilled population. For many years, Nigeria struggled to improve its digital literacy rate. As of 2021, over 50 per cent of Nigerians lacked digital skills and could not utilize data services, according to the 2021 World Bank Development Report.

To reverse this trend, the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy in its policy document, set an ambitious target of achieving 95 per cent digital literacy by 2030. The first step the ministry took was to launch the 3 Million Tech Talents (3MTT) Programme, which plans to train over three million youths in highly sought-after IT skills.

Addressing the digital divide is essential not only for social inclusion but also for ensuring that all Nigerian youths can participate in and benefit from the digital economy.

5. The Role of Digital Platforms in Advocacy and Social Change:

Nigerian youths have effectively used digital platforms to advocate for social change and hold leaders accountable. The #EndSARS movement, which gained global attention in 2020, is a prime example of how young Nigerians have leveraged social media to organize, mobilize, and amplify their voices. The movement, which called for an end to police brutality, demonstrated the power of digital platforms in driving social justice and influencing policy.

Beyond social activism, Nigerian youths are also using digital platforms to promote environmental sustainability, gender equality, and entrepreneurship. These efforts are critical to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria.

As we commemorate the International Youth Day (IYD) 2024, it is evident that through innovation, advocacy, and entrepreneurship, young Nigerians can turn digital clicks into tangible progress and further drive sustainable development across the country.

I will recommend that government, educational stakeholders and those saddled with the task of handling youth-related issues, adopt the following strategies;

a) Involving youths in planning and policy formulations – youths are better positioned to understand the challenges they go through and the psychology of their peers. Young people feel marginalized and rejected when their voices are not heard or trusted as credible. Youths must be heard and allowed to express their opinions and most importantly, contribute to digital solutions and the growing discuss of national development.

b) Developing and investing in digital education – youths should be provided with practical digital education like Coding, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics as early as the Secondary schools. This will make them globally relevant and put them on the global digital map. Digital hubs can be created and accessible to Nigerian youths so they can achieve their digital potentials. The policy document of the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy should be carefully implemented.

c) Redesigning and upgrading the school Curriculums – the school programmes and curriculum needs urgent redesigning to reflect current educational realities and develop the knowledge-base of the youths as well as prepare them to be future leaders. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs provide a solid foundation of knowledge that students can build upon. This will develop problem-solving, innovative, and creative thinking abilities of youths.

d) Rewarding outstanding young achievers – youths should be motivated and rewarded as this stirs them up to do more. Plain rewarding systems such as certificates, prizes and scholarships can serve as great incentives for youth. It is important to avoid rewarding “bad behaviour and gangsterism” by incentivizing young people who are positively contributing to their communities and societies. Our recognition and National awards should include not just money-bags or political jobbers, but outstanding youths who have contributed to the positive image of the nation. This makes them serve as role models to others.

e) Mainstreaming the IYD – since youths constitute a huge part of the national and global demographics, it is advocated that governments and stakeholders should mainstream and draw more attention to celebrating youths on 12 August each year, more like the Children Day celebrated every 27th May. Programmes such as youth-related conferences, symposiums, workshops and summer

bootcamps can be organized. This will positively engage the youths and make them today’s leaders that they truly are.

In conclusion, for Nigeria to fully realize its digital potential and not take the global digital back seat, it is imperative for Government at all levels and all stakeholders to invest in digital education, bridge the digital divide, and create an enabling environment for youth-led innovations. By doing so, Nigeria can harness the energy and creativity of its youth to achieve a more sustainable and prosperous future.

Adewale Olamoyegun is a Leadership Coach, Business Executive and Consultant. He coordinates the Leadskills Initiative, a youth-based Leadership and Mentorship initiative where leadership values are democratized. He is a prolific writer and is the Author of “Second to None – Capstones to becoming the very best‟ and “Leadership Guide for Youths – Nuggets for emerging leaders‟.

Adewale Olamoyegun writes from Lagos, he can be reached via [email protected].