…urge young innovators to combine digital skills with ethics and responsible technology
By Gloria Ikibah
The President and Chief Executive Officer of Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), David Daser, has charged young Nigerians to seize the opportunities presented by the rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to develop technology-based solutions to some of the country’s most pressing challenges. 
Daser gave the charge on Monday while delivering a keynote address titled “Future Ready Mind: Artificial Intelligence, Digital Intelligence and Responsible Innovation” at the 2026 Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA), organised by the Rotary International District 9127, held at the British Nigerian School, Prince and Princess Estate, Abuja.
The DBI boss, who was represented by the Institute’s Head of Learning and Development, Emeka Nzeih, told the young leaders that technical skills alone will not be enough to thrive in an increasingly digital economy.
He urged them to develop what he described as digital intelligence, combining technical knowledge with the ability to understand, assess and responsibly use digital technologies.
“Digital intelligence encompasses not only the ability to use digital tools effectively, but also the capacity to understand, evaluate, and apply digital information in meaningful ways,” he said.
Daser noted that technologies such as AI, Big Data and the Internet of Things (IoT) were already reshaping industries around the world, making digital intelligence increasingly important to innovation, productivity and inclusive economic growth.
He therefore encouraged participants to look beyond seeking jobs and instead consider how technology can be used to solve problems and create opportunities for themselves and others.
Citing Nigerian technology companies such as Moniepoint, Interswitch, Andela, OPay and Flutterwave, Daser said many successful businesses in the country’s technology ecosystem started with simple ideas aimed at addressing specific challenges.
According to him, Nigeria’s large youthful population also provides a substantial market for innovative products and services capable of responding to everyday needs.
He challenged young Nigerians to identify problems around them and explore how technology could provide practical and scalable solutions.
Daser, however, cautioned that the rush to embrace new technologies must not come at the expense of ethics and accountability.
“Digital intelligence is about navigating technology wisely; responsible innovation is about building and deploying technology ethically,” he added.
He urged the young leaders to see themselves not only as technology users but also as ethical innovators whose decisions could affect individuals and society.
Daser challenged participants to ask five questions before launching any new application, idea or digital content: “Who benefits from this solution? Who could be harmed by it? Is it truthful? Is it fair? Would I be comfortable if my name were permanently attached to it?”
He said answering those questions honestly can help young innovators avoid developing technologies that might cause harm, spread misinformation or undermine public trust.
The DBI chief executive also urged the participants to take cybersecurity and online safety seriously, warning that their activities online could have lasting consequences.
He encouraged them to build positive digital footprints, practise responsible digital citizenship and remain conscious of how their use of technology could affect their personal and professional futures.
Daser said the rapid pace of technological change meant young people needed to remain curious, adaptable and willing to continuously learn.
He expressed confidence that Nigerian youths can play a major role in shaping the country’s digital future if they combined innovation with responsibility and a clear understanding of the problems they sought to solve.
The Rotary Youth Leadership Academy is an annual initiative of Rotary International aimed at equipping young people with leadership, innovation and civic responsibility skills to prepare them for meaningful contributions to national development.
