Otti Tells Abia Youths Certificates Without Digital Skills May Not Guarantee Jobs

Governor Alex Otti has advised Abia youths not to rely solely on academic certificates, warning that lack of digital skills could limit future job opportunities. He gave the advice while addressing participants of the Techrise Cohort 3 programme, a three-month digital training initiative. Otti said employers now value innovation, creativity, and technical competence over certificates. He urged youths to build practical skills for self-reliance and entrepreneurship, while the programme focuses on

Governor of Alex Otti has advised youths in Abia State not to rely solely on academic certificates for survival in today’s highly competitive economy, warning that lack of digital skills could limit employment opportunities in the future.

Otti gave the advice on Wednesday while addressing 850 participants of the Techrise Cohort 3 programme, a three-month digital training initiative aimed at equipping young people with practical technology skills and entrepreneurial knowledge.

Represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Uzor Nwachukwu, the governor stressed that certificates from higher institutions are no longer enough to secure jobs or guarantee financial stability in the 21st-century economy.

According to him, employers and industries now place greater value on innovation, creativity, technical competence, and problem-solving abilities, especially in a rapidly evolving digital world driven by technology and artificial intelligence.

He urged the participants to focus on developing practical digital knowledge that would enable them to become self-reliant, create businesses, and compete globally rather than depending entirely on white-collar jobs.

“So do not just look for certificates. Seek deep competence and hands-on problem-solving skills,” the governor charged the youths.

Otti explained that the Techrise programme was designed to empower young people with modern technological skills capable of transforming them into entrepreneurs, innovators, and job creators, while also reducing unemployment across the state.

Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Oge Maduka, said the participants would receive intensive training in several emerging technology fields.

She listed the areas to include artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, software development, product design, data engineering, and digital innovation.

Maduka noted that the initiative reflects the state government’s commitment to preparing Abia youths for opportunities in the global digital economy and ensuring they remain relevant in the fast-changing technology-driven world.