In a landmark initiative to drive technological advancement and youth empowerment, Nigerian Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central Senatorial District has trained and empowered 250 youths with in-demand digital and technical skills tailored to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and self-reliance.
The comprehensive capacity-building programme, hosted at her residence in Kogi Central, featured focused training sessions in key sectors. These included Drone Security and Environmental Sustainability for 80 participants, Advanced Welding and Fabrication Techniques for 50 beneficiaries each, and Renewable Energy Installation and Data Analytics for another 70.
This strategic empowerment project is part of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s ongoing commitment to enhancing employability, bridging the digital divide, and strengthening Nigeria’s human capital in line with sustainable development goals.
During the closing ceremony, the senator described the initiative as a deliberate effort to close the skill gap in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving economy.
“Our people deserve to be empowered with the very best of technology for self-reliance,” she stated.
A key highlight of the event was the distribution of 80 DJI Neo drones to both individual trainees and academic institutions. These drones, compliant with Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) standards, weigh less than 250 grams and support a wide range of applications beyond photography—such as agriculture, security, logistics, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure inspection.
Senator Natasha noted that drone technology represents a transformative force in modern development, citing success stories from countries like South Africa, Egypt, Malawi, and Ethiopia that have embraced drones in their national development plans.
“Drone technology is the new frontier of socio-economic development, not only in Africa but globally. By distributing these drones to youths and institutions, we are laying a foundation for innovation-driven progress,” she added.
Ten Nigerian tertiary institutions, specifically their Departments of Geology and Environmental Science, were selected to benefit from this drone initiative. These include:
- Federal College of Education, Okene
- Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara
- Kogi State University, Anyigba
- Federal University, Lokoja
- Federal Polytechnic, Idah
- Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja
- University of Ilorin
- Bayero University, Kano
- Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
- Federal University of Science and Technology, Minna
The goal is to provide these institutions with cutting-edge tools to enrich technical education, encourage innovation, and promote practical learning experiences.
This project comes on the heels of two other major interventions by the senator: the development of two smart markets comprising 160 shops in Kogi Central and the distribution of 700 computers to students of Abdul-Azeez Attah Memorial College, Okene (AAAMCO).
Reaffirming her dedication to empowering her constituents, Senator Natasha said, “This is just the beginning. Our people deserve the best, and we will continue to create access to technology, innovation, and opportunities for sustainable growth.”
