The lead product designer at Mainstack, Marvellous Akande, has advised young Nigerians to embrace technology with a clear sense of purpose and a global outlook.

Mr Akande gave the advice in Ibadan on Thursday.

The former Flutterwave employee and University of Ibadan alumnus said this would make the youths highly competitive in the evolving digital economy.

Mr Akande, who addressed concerns as to whether Nigerian youths were at a disadvantage in the global tech ecosystem, insisted that access to AI tools had significantly reduced entry barriers into the industry.

“We are not at a disadvantage. We have access to the same tools that people across the world are using. The difference lies in how we think and how far we are willing to look beyond our immediate environment,” he said.

Nigeria’s technology ecosystem has witnessed rapid growth in recent years, attracting foreign investments and producing startups with continental and global reach.

Lagos, widely regarded as Africa’s leading tech hub, has been home to several internationally recognised startups, while innovation clusters are expanding to other cities, including Ibadan and Abuja.

Mr Akande urged young Nigerians to avoid limiting their ambitions to the local ecosystem and instead, design products capable of competing globally.

According to him, aspiring tech professionals must be purpose-driven rather than motivated solely by financial gain.

“The first question you must answer is why you want to get into tech. That clarity will guide your journey and help you build solutions that truly make an impact,” he said.

Mr Akande also said that the technology ecosystem offers diverse career paths, including engineering, product design and quality assurance, urging graduates to identify areas aligned with their strengths.

He cautioned against the misuse of AI, stressing that although the tools make development easier and faster, developers must ensure their innovations address real societal challenges.

“AI allows one person to do what used to require several engineers. But we must ensure that what we build solves problems and does not create confusion,” he said.

Mr Akande further called for improved technology education in schools to equip young Nigerians with globally competitive skills.

He expressed optimism that with the right mindset, skills and support systems, young Nigerians could compete favourably with their counterparts anywhere in the world.

(NAN)