Apochi Nelson Owoicho, through his Education for Change initiative, has launched a free six-week Artificial Intelligence (AI) Readiness Bootcamp for young people in Apa and Agatu Local Government Areas of Benue State.
The programme, according to a statement issued on Wednesday, is aimed at equipping young people in the Apa-Agatu Federal Constituency with practical skills to participate in the rapidly evolving digital economy. It is being implemented in partnership with GenieHive Education Foundation, Canada, and EdPro UK.
The bootcamp will be led by Dr Jennifer Agbaire, a global education consultant, alongside Promise Ekeh, an AI Engineer at Lenovo, and other facilitators. Participants will be exposed to the fundamentals of AI and its relevance to the modern workplace, as well as the application of AI tools in solving practical problems. They will also undertake a capstone project and receive certificates upon completion of the programme.
Speaking on the initiative, Owoicho said the increasing application of AI across different sectors makes it necessary for young people in Apa and Agatu to acquire relevant skills to compete in the digital economy. “AI is no longer a technology of the distant future. It is already changing how the world works. We must ensure that our young people in Apa-Agatu are prepared, not just to use these technologies, but to apply them creatively to solve problems and create opportunities,” he said.
Owoicho described the programme as part of his broader commitment to human capital development and creating opportunities for young people beyond the limitations imposed by their geographical location. “Development is ultimately about people. Roads, infrastructure and institutions matter, but we cannot build a prosperous society without equipping our young people with the skills to compete and create in the world we live in today. A prosperous Apa-Agatu is possible in our lifetime. Building that future requires deliberate investment in our people, especially our young people. This AI bootcamp is one step in that direction,” he added.
The programme is open to people between the ages of 18 and 35 who are residents or indigenes of Apa or Agatu LGAs and have access to a mobile phone and the internet. Registration opened on September 2 and will close on September 10, 2026, or once 100 screened registrations have been reached. The organisers have urged eligible young people in the two local government areas to apply before the registration window closes.
