Tinubu’s Aide Asefon Urges South-West Students to Embrace Digital Skills

THE Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students Engagement, Comrade Sunday Asefon, has called on student leaders in the South-West to embrace digital skills and transition from protest to partnership with government.

Asefon made the call on Tuesday at the Renewed Hope Student Leaders Engagement and Digital Acceleration Programme for South-West students held at Ekiti State University.

According to him, the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu places human capital development and education at the centre of national development, noting that initiatives like the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, were introduced to reduce financial barriers for students.

“NELFUND is not the end of the conversation about student welfare. It is part of a broader conversation that includes accommodation, digital access, employability, skills acquisition and mental well-being,” he said.

Asefon stressed the need for digital acceleration, urging students to move from being mere consumers of technology to creators and innovators.

“The world is changing rapidly. A student in Ekiti can work for a company in Lagos, a student in Osun can provide digital services to a client in Europe. The question is, are we preparing our students for this new world?” he asked.

He urged student leaders to acquire skills in coding, artificial intelligence, graphics, cybersecurity, data analysis and entrepreneurship to solve real Nigerian problems.

On student leadership, the presidential aide said leadership is about service, not intimidation, and charged union leaders to be a bridge between students and government.

“There will always be disagreements in a democracy. But we must develop a culture where dialogue comes before confrontation,” he said, adding that his office remains open to ideas, criticisms and proposals from students.

Asefon challenged participants to acquire relevant skills, solve problems and leave legacies on their campuses, while assuring that his office will continue to create platforms for dialogue and connect students with opportunities.