Wale Jagun
-As Abiru speaks on passion for youth development boot camp, tech summit
A renowned Innovation Lab in Nigeria, the SAIL Innovation Lab, on Monday partnered with the Lagos State University of Science and Technology, LASUSTECH, Ikorodu on tech training and development for its students, starting with students of College of Engineering and Technology.
The SAIL Innovation Lab, located in Ikorodu area of Lagos State, is an initiative of the SAIL Empowerment Foundation, founded by Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, FCA, and his wife, Mrs. Feyisola Abiru. It is a human Capital development project, that seeks to broaden the skills and talents of young people, by equipping them with relevant digital and Innovation skills.
The goal is to create an environment where young people can access tools, resources and skills to compete effectively in the ever changing global economy.
Top of the range programmes offered free of charge to qualified participants include: Generative AI, Software Development (Frontend and Backend Development), Data Science/ Machine Learning, Product Design, Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education for Senior Secondary Students, Teachers Fellowship Programme, Blockchain Development, Game Development and Advanced Digital Marketing. Over 10,000 people have been directly impacted by the Innovation lab.
Senator Abiru who spoke at the opening ceremony of the 5-day tech boot camp and Tech Summit, tagged, Dare to Dream, held at LASUSTECH, said he was passionate developing the capacity of young people, stressing the importance of tech and digital innovation in positioning young people for the enormous possibilities in the tech space.
“ You are the next generation of leaders, innovators, and creators who will harness the immense power of technology to solve pressing challenges, create new opportunities, and drive social and economic progress”, he said.
Senator Abiru drew the attention of the students numbering almost 1000, to the fast changing global business environment that is essentially being shaped by digital innovation. He said the partnership between SAIL Innovation Lab and LASUSTECH, is geared towards positioning the students to harness opportunities in the fields of Artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, and virtual reality, that are presently and will continue to transform industries, reshape economies, and alter the way we live and work.
His words, “This is where my vision for the SAIL Innovation Lab comes in. When I look at the challenges we face as a nation, I see tremendous opportunities—opportunities for young Nigerians to rise up and lead us into a new era of growth and prosperity.
“The SAIL Innovation Lab is my contribution to this vision. Through this Lab, we aim to provide a world-class innovation space that will allow you to learn, create, and collaborate on projects that have real-world impact. Our focus is on the technologies that are shaping the future—AI, blockchain, data science, software development, digital marketing, games development, and more”.
In addition to commitment made towards strengthening the existing digital and innovation assets of the school, the Senator pledged some high-end laptops for five top participants at the 5-day boot-camp.
