By Umar Zubainatu
Stakeholders in education and youth development have called on Nigerian teenagers to make more deliberate use of technology to drive innovation, national development, and social impact.
The charge was given on Saturday at the 30th Annual Teenage Festival of Life (TFL), organised by Action Health Incorporated (AHI) at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
The event was held in partnership with the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture (LSCAC) and the Lagos State Ministry of Education with the theme “Young People Leveraging Technology for Social Good,” the festival brought together students from public secondary schools across Lagos to showcase creativity and discuss the role of digital tools in addressing societal challenges.
AHI Executive Director, Mrs. Adenike Esiet, noted that young people constitute over half of Nigeria’s population and are driving the country’s rapid adoption of modern technology. She urged teenagers to recognise the transformative power of digital innovation in tackling issues such as hunger, poverty, and limited access to healthcare.
“The festival is not just for skill building; it is for awakening consciousness. Technology goes beyond TikTok. It supports online learning, enables access to digital health information, and facilitates innovative solutions across sectors,” she said.
Also speaking, AHI Programme Manager, Ms. Funso Bukoye, said the festival aims to promote intentional tech use for social good and empower digitally savvy youths to support sustainable development.
She added that achieving Nigeria’s digital literacy target of 95 per cent by 2030 will require continuous support from government, educators, and stakeholders to expand digital literacy programmes and bridge the digital divide.
Assistant Director, Basic Education Services, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Dr. Christiana Dasaolu, encouraged students to stay curious and adopt a balanced approach to maximising technological opportunities.
She commended the Lagos State Government for improving digital access in schools and projected that Nigeria could achieve full computer-based testing by 2030 if progress continues.
“When youths are curious, they look for problems to solve. The government has been trying, especially in Lagos where computers are now being introduced even in primary schools,” she said.
Lagos State Director, Agency for Mass Education, Mrs. Yinka Oladipo, highlighted the role of technology in enhancing academic performance but warned that teenagers still require proper guidance to avoid harmful online content.
“Parents should monitor and guide what their children access online. Technology is valuable, but without supervision it can expose young people to harmful content,” she said.
Learning strategist, Mr. Adewunmi Adeyemo, advised students to use technology creatively to drive community impact, noting that even simple tools like mobile phones can be used to build platforms that document problem-solving innovations.
A student participant, Etoa Anthony, shared that technology has made schoolwork easier through improved access to information and digital learning resources, despite concerns from some parents over prolonged screen time.
The festival featured drama, music, and poetry presentations from several schools, including St. Luke’s Grammar School, Bariga; St. Francis Junior Grammar School, Iwaya; and Oke-Odo Senior High School, Alimosho.
St. Luke’s Junior Grammar School, Bariga, emerged winner in the Drama and Poetry Category with a performance illustrating how technology can address the challenges faced by adolescents.
