Gloria Essien, Abuja
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Benjamin Kalu, has said that increased human capital development has the potential to drive the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of any economy through innovation and technology.
Mr. Kalu, who stated this while delivering the keynote address at the SMFest, an annual global conference that teaches its audience how to leverage the power of technology and innovation to advance their businesses, noted that a more educated and skilled workforce can lead to higher productivity and better problem-solving.
He commended the convener, Ajah Excel, and the SMFest team for their visionary work, noting that it had empowered thousands of young Nigerians to thrive in the digital age.
The Deputy Speaker said that the conference theme, “Africa Unlocked: Leading the Digital Revolution,” could not be more timely, as unlocking Africa was not just about technology, but about young Africans turning challenges into opportunities and ideas into innovations.
Kalu called for investments not just in connectivity, but in creativity and capacity.
He assured them of his office’s readiness to support the next conference, adding that courage, collaboration, and vision are required to unlock Africa’s digital opportunities.
Kalu said, “When I look across this hall, I see more than faces; I see possibility. I see the energy that will shape Africa’s future. Leadership is not about waiting for a position; it’s about taking responsibility.
“Long before I entered the House of Representatives, I began serving in small but meaningful ways: supporting the vulnerable, offering scholarships, and rebuilding hope through my foundation. That was how my journey in service truly began.
“The path from those humble beginnings to standing here today as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives has not been easy. It has been a journey of courage and learning, of daring to innovate where tradition resisted change, of keeping faith when the path was unclear, and of pushing forward when barriers stood tall.
“If there is one lesson I have learned, it is this: real leadership begins when you stop waiting for permission to make a difference. Great Nigerian youths, today, the tools in your hands are more powerful than anything my generation could have imagined. The GSMA’s Mobile Economy Report also notes that Africa now has over 489 million unique mobile subscribers, with mobile broadband networks covering nearly 86% the population, a figure that would have been unthinkable two decades ago.”
The Deputy Speaker urged the participants to acknowledge the landscape before them, understand reality, and unlock opportunities.
He said: “We must humanise the digital revolution, ensuring that the boy in Akure, the girl in Benin, the trader in Aba, and the farmer in Sokoto are not left behind. Because if innovation is not inclusive, it becomes inequality. Africa’s future belongs to those who dare to dream, to act, and to build. You are the coders, the innovators, the creators, and the change makers.
“With courage, collaboration, and vision, you will unlock Africa. Go forth and build boldly. Show the world what African youth can achieve. The bridge to the future is waiting. You do not need perfect conditions to begin; you only need the courage to believe that your beginning matters. You can transform your future. And when you do, you will write a story that the world cannot ignore.”