By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
The National Information
Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in partnership with the Centre for
Information and Telecommunication Engineering (CITE) at the University of Port
Harcourt, has concluded the CITE-NITDA Tech Stars 2026 programme in Port Harcourt,
completing a month-long initiative designed to equip young Nigerians with
foundational digital and emerging technology skills.
The Port Harcourt training
follows the completion of four other Tech Stars programmes last week in Kwara,
Jigawa, Gombe and Kano states, bringing the initiative to five locations across
Nigeria.
The intensive one-month
programme trained primary, junior and senior secondary school students in
Artificial Intelligence, robotics, coding, data science and other digital
competencies aimed at preparing them for meaningful participation in the
digital economy.
NITDA said the programme
forms part of its efforts to strengthen digital literacy and develop Nigeria’s
pipeline of young technology talent by exposing students to emerging
technologies and practical problem-solving from an early age.
At the Port Harcourt closing
ceremony, participants received certificates recognising their successful
completion of the training, while outstanding performers in various categories
received prizes, including laptop computers and tablets.
Vice-Chancellor of the
University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Chike Princewill Chike, congratulated the
participants and urged them to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during
the programme to developing practical solutions to real-world socio-economic
challenges.
He encouraged the graduands
to continue learning, exploring emerging technologies and applying their
creativity to support Nigeria’s digital transformation and broader development.
