Jimoh urges youths to harness innovation, technology
By Mustafa Abubakar
The immediate past Director of the Computer Services and Information Technology (COMSIT) Unit, University of Ilorin, Prof. Rasheed Gbenga Jimoh, has urged Nigerian youths to embrace education, innovation, entrepreneurship and productive use of technology to remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.
Prof. Jimoh, who is also the Vice Chancellor of Muhammad Kamalud-Deen University, Ilorin, gave the advice penultimate Saturday (September 19, 2026) while speaking at the CRAFT Innovation Hub (CIH) and Kuliya Ngari of Ilorin Emirate National Youth Mentorship Workshop held in Ilorin.
He challenged young people to move beyond conventional academic credentials by developing competence, critical thinking, practical skills and innovative ideas capable of addressing societal challenges and creating employment opportunities.
Prof. Jimoh, who is also a former Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, urged participants to take advantage of opportunities in the knowledge and gig economies, rather than relying solely on government for employment.
According to him, technological advancement had removed geographical barriers, enabling Nigerians to work for clients and organisations across the world without leaving the country.
“You can be in Nigeria and be earning dollars, you can be earning pounds, you can be earning any currency from any country because your location is no longer a barrier to tapping opportunities,” he said.
He cautioned youths against excessive social media consumption, drug abuse and other unproductive activities, urging them to use their time and data to acquire knowledge, develop skills and pursue meaningful opportunities.
The former COMSIT Director said young people should critically evaluate the value they derived from their engagements, stressing that the way they spent their time would influence their future achievements.
Prof. Jimoh also challenged the misconception that formal education was unnecessary because some content creators and entrepreneurs had become wealthy without conventional academic qualifications.
“Don’t be among those that will say, ‘Schooling is a scam, I can be rich without schooling.’ There is a difference between money and power. Knowledge and skills give you power, while richness can be achieved by anybody,” he said.
He explained that education was not merely about acquiring wealth but about developing knowledge, skills, values and the capacity to contribute meaningfully to society.
Prof. Jimoh disclosed that the first innovation hub at the University of Ilorin was conceived and developed through partnership and institutional commitment during his tenure as Director of the University’s COMSIT Unit.
He said discussions were ongoing with captains of industry to establish a similar innovation hub at Muhammad Kamalud-deen University, adding that such initiatives would provide an enabling environment for ideation and enterprise development.
The don said his exposure to innovation hubs in countries including Sweden and Kenya had reinforced his belief in the importance of creating environments where young people could develop ideas and build businesses.
He described the knowledge economy as increasingly important to the future of nations and urged Nigerian youths to maximise opportunities offered by technology.
Prof. Jimoh disclosed that he had produced more than 20 Ph.D. holders who are now working in countries including South Africa, Turkey, Uganda, Rwanda and Nigeria.
He identified the development of people and transformation of lives through education as one of his significant accomplishments, stressing that the impact of education extended beyond financial rewards.
The former Director also recalled the sacrifices he made to pursue postgraduate education, including travelling to the University of Ibadan for his Master degree and later to Malaysia for his Ph.D. without a scholarship.
He urged young people to make meaningful sacrifices for education and personal development, stressing the importance of investing in the future.
Prof. Jimoh further emphasised the need for youths to develop innovative ideas that could be transformed into sustainable ventures, noting that education should equip individuals with the capacity to identify problems, generate solutions and create employment.
He said the era of relying solely on certificates was giving way to one in which competence, creativity and practical skills were increasingly essential.
Earlier, the Founder and Chief Operating Officer of CRAFT Innovation Hub, Mr Abdulrasaq Ahmed Abiodun, emphasised the importance of combining competence with sound judgement, character and reputation.
Also addressing participants on responsible citizenship, values, peer pressure, substance abuse and decision-making were representatives of Kuliya Ngari of Ilorin Emirate National Youth Mentorship, the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Kwara State Directorate, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kwara State Command.
The programme featured an interactive session, questions and answers, and a practical exercise on decision making and reputation, aimed at helping participants apply the lessons to academic, workplace and social situations.
