Vice President Kashim Shettima emphasized the pivotal role of innovation in Nigeria's journey towards global prominence, urging citizens to contribute innovative ideas and actions to advance the ongoing transformation agenda in the country.
Speaking at the third i-FAIR cohorts graduation ceremony in Abuja, Vice President Shettima highlighted the necessity for innovation in achieving the nation's developmental objectives. He commended the graduates for their dedication to advancing the government's transformation agenda, noting the transformative potential of technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and other modern tools in shaping Nigeria's future.
Ambassador Michael Freeman, representing the Israeli embassy, praised the collaborative efforts between Israel and Nigeria in fostering innovation and resilience through initiatives like i-FAIR. He lauded President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope agenda, which aligns with i-FAIR's objective of empowering Nigeria's youth and driving growth in the digital economy.
The success of the i-FAIR initiative was attributed to partnerships with organizations such as TetFund, Air Peace, and Zell Innov8, whose support has been instrumental in shaping Nigeria's transformative journey.
In response to the call for innovation, Nigerians expressed a mix of skepticism and frustration, questioning the government's approach and accountability. Some queried the absence of a concrete plan, others criticized the government's manifesto, and a few joked about the situation.