“NO MORE WAITING—EKITI YOUTH ARE CODING THE FUTURE, RIGHT NOW!”-Ayo Ojo

The message from Ado-Ekiti was clear: the future is not coming; it is being built already at the grand finale of the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program—Nigeria’s largest digital skills initiative.

The air was thick with purpose as young innovators gathered not just to learn, but to transform. Speaking at the event which was held in Ado the Ekiti State capital on Friday, the Technical Advisor to the state Governor on Youth Inclusion, Hon. Ayo Ojo, revealed that Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s vision of a tech hub is already a reality, with the facility actively serving as a thriving space where young minds can innovate, collaborate, and shift from being problem-seekers to problem-solvers—and ultimately, employers of labor.

He reiterated that the administration’s mantra of ensuring youth are seen, heard, valued, and supported—is sacrosanct, a commitment already positively impacting countless lives through his office.

Hon.Ojo’s charge to the over 50 brilliant minds in the room was simple yet powerful: collaborate to innovate. He stressed that innovation without collaboration is merely a fleeting spark, but when software developers sit with designers, and coders partner with farmers and educators, that collective fire creates lasting impact.

He challenged the youth to move beyond acquiring skills, urging them to build solutions tackling real issues like climate change, waste management, and financial inclusion. “Aspire to inspire,” he told them, pushing them to turn their ideas into Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) capable of winning prizes, attracting investments, and scaling across Nigeria. His call to action was direct: step forward with courage, collaborate across disciplines, and show the world that Ekiti’s next generation is ready to lead.

Echoing this sentiment of urgency and opportunity, the 3MTT Community Manager, Favour Adesina, set the stage for the high-stakes pitch battle that followed.He explained that out of 35 initial project submissions aimed at solving environmental and societal problems, only the top seven finalists remained to compete before a panel of judges where three finalists will be picked. The stakes were tangible and exciting: the top winner would walk away with a brand-new laptop, while the first and second runners-up would receive tablet devices complemented by generous data packages.

Adesina called for energy in the room, urging the audience to celebrate the courage of the innovators as they presented their solutions, which were evaluated on criteria including originality, technical quality, functionality, and presentation prowess.

The showcase itself was a testament to the depth of talent emerging from the state. Young innovators presented groundbreaking projects that bridged critical gaps in daily life. Among them was Skycast, a weather forecasting app designed to aid planning and agriculture; Edubridge, an application tackling the disconnect between formal education and practical skill acquisition; and Koloscore, a financial advisor app aimed at democratizing fiscal management.

As the event concluded, the overarching theme was one of collective responsibility. Hon. Ojo called on mentors, judges, partners, and government officials to commit to providing the platforms and enabling the environment which the young minds deserve.