Today, the Pan-African Youth Forum 2023 event brought together the global tech community for the highly anticipated “Unleashing the Power of Youth in Science & Innovation,” which was live-streamed from Nigeria. This gathering was graced by the presence of renowned tech visionary and philanthropist, Bill Gates, celebrated for his remarkable contributions to technology and social impact.
Of course, this was under the expert moderation of Dr. Bosun Tijani, co-founder and Chief Executive of Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB), where participants had the opportunity to engage in a Q&A session with Bill Gates himself. Dr. Tijani of CcHub had shared a day before on Channels Television that the whole purpose of the event was to teach and inspire young people on the process of innovation and how to solve significant problems using Science and Technology.
The discussion began promptly at 10:05 am when Mr. Gates stepped onto the stage. It commenced with the captivating tale of how the philanthropist, as a youth, embarked on his journey into the world of technology. He shared his initial fascination with computer code and conveyed his belief in the power of technology to enhance lives and bring about a digital revolution. He emphasised that Nigerian youth have a unique opportunity to contribute to the country’s development by harnessing new technologies to enhance sectors such as health, education, and finance.
The renowned philanthropist highlighted the challenges Nigeria faces in allocating finances towards future investments, ensuring long-term economic and security stability, and driving policies that effectively utilise resources for the benefit of the country.
Gates acknowledged the immense potential of talented young Nigerians and stressed the importance of investing in their skills, passion, and determination. He encouraged them to tackle pressing issues such as infectious diseases, maternal health, food nutrition, women’s empowerment, and technology-driven positive change.
During his visit, Gates had the opportunity to meet inspiring Nigerians who are partnering with his foundation on health and agricultural challenges. Notably, he commended scientists for their remarkable work in developing improved seeds, making fertilizers more affordable, and helping farmers increase productivity despite the adverse effects of climate change.
Gates also witnessed interventions aimed at assisting pregnant women and reducing anemia, highlighting the efforts of the Lbs virtual human-computer interaction lab in exploring the applications of virtual and augmented reality to address broadcasting issues.
Education and health were identified as vital areas for youth, and Gates emphasised Nigeria’s advantage in having excellent educational and research institutions, as well as serving as a hub for venture capital and financial technology. However, he stressed the importance of reducing equity gaps through scalable solutions that empower women and bridge the rural-urban divide. Gates expressed optimism about the potential of digital finance tools to facilitate inclusivity but emphasised the need for concerted efforts to ensure access for all.
In the realm of health, He highlighted the significant gaps in maternal and child healthcare across different Nigerian states. He pointed out the disparity between states where women receive adequate assistance during childbirth and those where the majority deliver at home without access to life-saving care. Gates emphasised the importance of addressing these inequities based on location and gender and driving meaningful change.
Despite the challenges, Gates commended the creativity, entrepreneurship, and determination of Nigerians, asserting that the country has the potential to make remarkable contributions to the world. By leveraging technology, investing in education and health, and fostering inclusivity, Nigeria can pave the way toward a brighter future.
Gates concluded his session by mentioning ongoing efforts to address challenges and promote progress. He discussed the foundation’s launch of an AI challenge to gather ideas for reducing inequity, which received an overwhelming response, particularly from Africa. Gates also mentioned upcoming plans to celebrate the winners of the challenge.
The Pan-African Youth Forum 2023 provided a platform for Gates to engage with young Nigerians (and of course, other Africans who joined virtually). He encouraged them to embrace their potential and work towards a better future for themselves and their country. In case you missed the hybrid event you can catch the replay here.
