07/07/2025
Speech for the Inauguration of the First Cohort of the Daser Fellowship for Innovation and Employability (DFIE)
By Daser David, President/CEO, Digital Bridge Institute
Distinguished Fellows,
Respected Guests,
Partners and Friends,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning.
Today marks a significant milestone - not just in the life of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), and not just in my personal journey - but in the future of Plateau State, and indeed, Nigeria at large. It is with profound joy, urgency, and purpose that I welcome you all to the official induction of the first cohort of the Daser Fellowship for Innovation and Employability (DFIE).
As the world’s population continues to surge, technology has become its most organic response. While this may sound abstract, the implications are deeply personal - especially for us in Plateau State. The world is not just growing; it is transforming at an exponential pace.
Artificial Intelligence, automation, and digital tools are now the new tractors of the economy - revolutionizing everything from food production to global communication. The connection between food security and AI is no longer theoretical - it is the new reality. Precision agriculture, drone technology, climate modeling, and smart logistics are defining how nations will survive and thrive.
But the question remains: What is our role in all this?
If we cannot yet join the world in producing these technologies, we must ensure we are not left behind in using them. That is the vision behind DFIE. This is not just a program. It is an intervention - a bold, necessary, and timely response to make sure the youth of Plateau State are not spectators in this new world, but active participants and innovators.
And that is why today is so special.
This fellowship - launched from the heart of Plateau - is designed to reshape our young people, equip them with relevant digital skills, and position them for both local relevance and global competitiveness. The world is not waiting, and neither should we.
I am proud to tell you that we received a remarkable 467 applications for this fellowship - an overwhelming show of interest that speaks volumes about the digital hunger of our young people. However, we laid out clear and fair selection requirements. Many applications, though heartfelt and enthusiastic, did not meet the baseline criteria we had set.
The rigorous selection process was led by Mr. Eric Nanle of nHub, whose dedication, fairness, and leadership were instrumental in ensuring we selected the most qualified and promising candidates. Eric, we sincerely acknowledge and appreciate your vital contribution to the integrity of this fellowship.
And to those who were not selected in this round: you were not rejected - you simply didn’t make it this time. If we have the capacity in the next phase, we may select from this existing pool without a new public call for applications. This is our way of honoring your interest and encouraging your continued commitment to digital empowerment.
At the Digital Bridge Institute, we are also responding to the digital challenge with action. One of our boldest steps is the development of the National Digital Literacy Curriculum and Certification - a homegrown framework benchmarked against global standards. And you - our DFIE Fellows - are the first in the entire nation to pilot this new curriculum.
This curriculum isn’t just about teaching digital tools - it’s about building a future-ready mindset. It’s rooted in our realities but aligned with the skills global employers demand. It equips you not only to work remotely or freelance globally, but also to lead, build, and innovate within your communities. From digital soft skills and civic tech to freelancing essentials and green ICT, this curriculum offers you a visa into digital citizenship. This is how we empower a new generation not just to work - but to win.
The curriculum is structured across three levels - Foundation, Intermediate, and Advanced. Over the next eight weeks, you will undergo intensive training in digital communication, data handling, cybersecurity, productivity tools, remote collaboration, and more. At the Advanced level, you’ll be introduced to practical applications in AI, cloud tools, design thinking, and digital entrepreneurship.
Every module will culminate in capstone projects, where your ideas, creativity, and teamwork will be tested. Because this program is not just about learning - it’s about doing, collaborating, and adapting to the realities of global digital work.
Let me be very clear: DFIE is not a program. It is a revolution.
And that revolution is made possible by a larger national vision - the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Under his leadership, Nigeria is re-investing in its people, jobs, and infrastructure. We see this in landmark initiatives like the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program and the 90-kilometre fibre optic backbone project led by Dr. Bosun Tijani.
I must humbly acknowledge that my own appointment as President of DBI is a reflection of that Renewed Hope. As a son of Plateau, I carry the responsibility to bring that hope home - to make sure it touches lives here. DFIE is my personal commitment to that mandate.
Originally, we planned for five fellows per local government, totaling 85 participants. But in the face of overwhelming interest and undeniable potential, we have expanded the cohort to over 100 Fellows. This is more than just a number—it is a statement of belief in you, in this state, and in the future you can create.
But I must caution you: Do not waste this opportunity.
This is a fully-funded program, and the certification exam has already been paid for. However, if you do not pass, you will need to pay out of pocket to retake the exam. So I urge you - be serious, be consistent, and give your all.
Each Local Government Area will operate as a team. Your assignments and capstone projects will be assessed collectively. The best-performing team will receive special recognition at the end of the program. Why this structure? Because teamwork is the new currency in the global economy. In your future jobs, you will work with people you may never meet in person. You must learn to lead, listen, support, and grow together.
And always remember: your weakest teammate is your greatest opportunity to grow. Lift them up - because in DFIE, we rise by lifting others.
Before I close, let me express my sincere gratitude to our incredible partners:
Nexus Hub Ltd for providing the branded materials - caps, T-shirts, and writing pads.
Mr. Nenrot Danjuma, Mr. Nwanze Okonkwo, Mr. Bankole Oloruntoba, and H&H Kitchen for their generous sponsorship of meals.
And to nHub, our official training partner and venue host - thank you for standing with us.
Let us not let these efforts go in vain. Let us learn, build, and launch into the future - starting now, from here, together.
Congratulations once again to the pioneer Fellows of DFIE.
You are not just students in a program - you are seeds of a new Plateau State, and a new Nigeria.
Thank you, and may God bless you all.
