A cybersecurity expert and Technical Director at Beyond Binary Consulting, Obaseun Awoyinfa, has urged Nigerian youth to embrace engineering and innovation as tools for solving the country’s development challenges.
Awoyinfa made the call during a keynote address at a debate and quiz competition organised by the School of Engineering of Ogun State Institute of Technology.
The event carried the theme, “Think, Thinker, Triumph: Engineering Innovation as a Catalyst for National Development.”
Innovation Key to National Growth
Awoyinfa said sustainable national development depends heavily on innovation, research and investment in technology.
According to him, countries that transformed their economies prioritised science, engineering and industrialisation.
“Today, nations like China, South Korea, and Singapore are global leaders because they built systems that encouraged innovation and industrialisation,” he said.
He noted that Nigeria has abundant talent, creativity and intelligence but still struggles with major developmental challenges.
He listed unstable electricity supply, poor infrastructure, unemployment and limited industrialisation among the country’s pressing problems.
Youth Must Lead Nigeria’s Transformation
Awoyinfa challenged young Nigerians to take responsibility for solving the country’s challenges instead of waiting for external solutions.
“The probing question is: Who will solve these problems?” he asked.
“National development cannot be outsourced forever. At some point, nations rise because their own people rise.”
He told students that the future of Nigeria depends on courageous and innovative young people willing to create practical solutions.
Start Small, Build Big
The cybersecurity expert encouraged students to value small ideas and projects, noting that innovation often begins with simple experiments.
“One thing I want every student here to understand is that innovation does not always begin in billion-dollar laboratories,” he said.
“Sometimes it begins with a student project. Sometimes it begins with a simple idea.”
Awoyinfa urged students not to underestimate their final-year projects or research work. He said many successful technologies started from bold thinking and small experiments.
According to him, student ideas can grow into startups and industry-wide solutions capable of addressing national challenges.
Youth Must Embrace Emerging Technologies
Awoyinfa also advised Nigerian youth to embrace rapidly evolving technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, automation and renewable energy.
He said these technologies continue to transform industries across the world.
“It is not because Africa lacks intelligence, but what we often lack is the confidence to believe we can build globally competitive systems ourselves,” he said.
“But we can, and your generation has an opportunity to change that narrative.”
Polytechnic Leadership Praises Initiative
The Rector of the institution, Abiodun Oluseye, praised the School of Engineering for organising the programme.
Represented by his deputy, Oluyemi Odutola, the rector urged other faculties to organise similar intellectual activities.
He stressed that debate and critical thinking exercises remain important across all academic disciplines.
According to him, technical institutions must produce self-reliant graduates capable of making informed and accurate decisions.
Oluseye also highlighted the connection between leadership and public speaking, describing such competitions as important tools for shaping future leaders.
Engineering Beyond Machines and Calculations
The Acting Dean of the School of Engineering, Osamonyi Ighodalo, described the programme as a platform designed to nurture creativity and professionalism among students.
He reminded participants that engineering goes beyond technical calculations and machine operations.
According to him, engineers must also develop the ability to communicate and defend innovative ideas clearly.
Winners Receive Scholarships and Cash Prizes
The winner of the debate competition, Adeagbo Emmanuel, an HND I student of Electrical Electronic Engineering, received a scholarship award from the institution’s Alumni Association.
The alumni body is led by Sholotan Kazeem.
Organisers also awarded cash prizes of N30,000 and N20,000 to the second- and third-placed contestants to support their academic pursuits.
