1. The Competitiveness of Nigerian Youths in a Global eConomy ‘Gbenga Sesan Nigeria’s IT Youth Ambassador www.gbengasesan.com | me@gbengasesan.com Youth Empowerment Forum for Digital Revolution Zenith Bank & The University of Lagos. June 19, 2003.

2. INTRODUCTION The New Economy has come to stay, and it has no respect for colour, age, location, or even influence. It is knowledge-driven, and must be prepared for. The difference between the “haves” and “have nots” in the days to come will not be decided by the resources in any nation’s soil or airspace, but by the preparedness of her youth – who span between today and tomorrow. Hence the need to consider the competitiveness of Nigerian youths in a Global eConomy – the New Economy, which is guided by the philosophy of boundless existence and is driven mostly by knowledge, information, communication and technology.

3. The NIGERIAN Youth The Nigerian youth is a Nigerian. He must not only consider what his parents or the community can do for him but must consider what we can do for our nation The Nigerian Youth is under-equipped – schools’ curricula, laboratories, teaching aids, educational system, etc … but most young Nigerians have proved that we are smart despite the “poor exposure” – news from other countries about Nigerians, ITU Africa 2001, etc Smartness misdirected is folly wearing an overall with “Self Deceit” written on it – stay away from “smartness” that can disgrace you or eliminate your enviable future

4. A Case for Global Competitiveness Nigerian youths are Global citizens. Your background/past is not an excuse to ignore the future you wish to attain Personal Development is the key to career relevance, nation building and global participation, eg Emeagwali There are numerous opportunities for personal development on the web – stop “browsing”, start converting data to information, eg bbc.co.uk/webwise, ocw.web.mit.edu, “search for anything” The whole world will stand aside for a man who knows where he’s going – success is not “being lucky”, its preparing while others are resting, going the extra mile

5. THANK YOU “I see a New Nigeria emerging… one that is built on the labours of our past heroes, hewn out of the debris of the present waste and built by the strength of tomorrow’s leaders – the youth. These young people, though unknown today, are equipping themselves with appropriate “new economy” and information technology skills that will position them for personal development, nation building, regional cooperation and global participation.”