Nigerian Youth Urged to Lead AI Revolution with Integrity

On Thursday, an event held in Abuja brought together students from 13 secondary schools to debate the theme of balancing the benefits and risks of artificial intelligence (AI). The event, organized by JCI Aso, featured Peter Emanuel Yilbiem, the 2026 President of JCI Aso, who encouraged students to view AI as an opportunity rather than a threat.

He urged them to embrace AI responsibly, emphasizing that their conduct and resilience would determine whether technology becomes a force for national development or a tool for abuse. Olusola Alexand, chairperson of the debate committee, highlighted the importance of expressing ideas and providing solutions to Nigeria's future challenges.

Mr. Demola Bakar, a spokesperson for the public enlightenment education department, warned against the use of AI for criminal activities.

The overall winner of the debate was a student from Nichola Lawrence School, while Esther Amarachi won the best speaker award, describing the debate as enlightening and urging for continued competitions to equip students with knowledge and skills in AI.