The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and Hon. Ifeoluwa Ehindero, member representing Akoko Southeast/Akoko Southwest Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, have jointly sponsored a seven-day residential bootcamp to train 100 Nigerian teenagers in leadership, technology, innovation and personal development.
The programme, tagged FutureProofed 2.0, is being organised by non-governmental organisation DevMe and will hold in Akure, Ondo State, under the theme “Built to Last: Beyond the Classroom.”
The Founder and Executive Director of DevMe, Temiloluwa Asagunla, disclosed details of the programme at a press conference held on Wednesday ahead of the bootcamp, saying it was designed to equip young Nigerians aged 13 to 19 with practical skills and the mindset needed to navigate an increasingly competitive world.
She said participants would undergo intensive sessions in self-mastery, leadership, emerging careers and digital literacy, alongside practical projects, team collaborations and problem-solving exercises.
According to Asagunla, applications came in from various parts of the country, including Lagos and Kaduna, but only 100 exceptional applicants would be selected after a rigorous screening process. Applicants could register under either the Creative Expression category, for writers, speakers, actors and other creatives, or the Science category, for young innovators and students working on technology-related projects, including robotics.
“We are not simply bringing teenagers together for lectures. We are creating an environment where they can discover, develop, and deploy their potential. We want them to showcase what they have achieved, what they are building, and what they are passionate about,” Asagunla said.
Representing the sponsors, Dr. Ayodeji Ologun said the decision to support the programme was influenced by success stories from the maiden edition, adding that the initiative was intended to create opportunities for young Nigerians to develop their talents.
He announced that the top two participants would each receive ₦1 million and a laptop, bringing the total cash prize pool to ₦2 million. Security throughout the camp will be provided by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Ologun stressed that the sponsorship was not politically motivated but focused on supporting young Nigerians to develop their abilities and prepare for future opportunities. “Last year, the top prize was ₦1 million. This year, the top two winners will receive [₦1] million each in addition to laptops. We believe this support will help them build a future they can be proud of,” he said.
