FIBOP EQUIPS LAGOS STUDENTS WITH AI, DIGITAL AND FINANCIAL SKILLS FOR FUTURE READINESS

FIBOP EQUIPS LAGOS STUDENTS WITH AI, DIGITAL AND FINANCIAL SKILLS FOR FUTURE READINESS
By Prince Benson Davies

Students and young people in Lagos received practical training on emerging digital tools, artificial intelligence, online protection and money management as the Finance and Business Online Publishers Association staged the third edition of its Youth Capacity Building and Empowerment Programme. The event held on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry conference hall in Alausa, Ikeja, under the theme “Digital Skills, Artificial Intelligence, Online Safety, Insurance and Financial Literacy for Nigerian Youth.”

The gathering brought together secondary school and tertiary students who participated in interactive sessions designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world skills. From understanding how AI works to spotting online scams and making informed financial decisions, the participants showed strong interest in applying the knowledge to their academic work and personal growth.

Mr. Charles Onwuatogwu, President of FIBOP, told the audience that education must evolve beyond textbooks to prepare young people for a fast-changing economy. He said the association created the programme to help students develop competencies that improve employability and encourage responsible use of technology. According to him, when youths understand how to use digital platforms safely and manage resources wisely, they are better positioned to contribute to national development.

The sessions on Artificial Intelligence drew the most questions, with students eager to know how AI can support learning, small businesses and problem-solving in their communities. Facilitators explained the basics of AI, its opportunities and its risks, while encouraging the students to view it as a tool that complements human creativity rather than replaces it. The conversations on online safety focused on cyberbullying, data privacy and how to verify information before sharing it online.

Trainers also took the participants through practical aspects of insurance and financial literacy. The students learned why insurance matters for personal and family security, and how simple saving and budgeting habits can reduce financial stress later in life. Many of the youths said the financial literacy segment changed how they think about spending and planning for the future.

By the end of the programme, the atmosphere was one of optimism and renewed focus. Participants said the training gave them clearer direction on the skills they need to develop and the choices that will shape their careers. FIBOP officials noted that the third edition reinforces the association’s long-term goal of supporting education that equips Nigerian youth to compete confidently in a digital world.