AppClick Technology has unveiled the corporate headquarters of its ICT academy in Ibadan, Oyo State, as part of efforts to deepen digital skills development and expand technology training opportunities for young Nigerians.
The unveiling, held on Saturday at the academy’s headquarters in Old Bodija, also featured a tech summit and the graduation of 70 students, who earned professional diplomas in Data Analytics, Digital Marketing, UI/UX Design, Python Programming and Mobile App Engineering, among others.
The summit, themed “Navigating the Digital Revolution,” brought together academics, technology experts and industry stakeholders, including the Director-General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Prof. Ayo Omotayo.
Speaking with journalists at the event, the founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AppClick, Seyi Adeleke, said the decision to locate the corporate headquarters in Ibadan was deliberate and aimed at contributing to the development of the city through digital innovation and skills training.
“I’m from Ibadan. Charity begins at home. We are here changing the story of Ibadan,” he said.
He said the academy was designed to cater to people from different backgrounds, including students, entrepreneurs and others seeking digital knowledge and professional growth.
“Whether you are a student, an entrepreneur or anything else, there is a course for you at AppClick.”
Adeleke disclosed that the academy had graduated over 3,000 students since inception, adding that the organisation was targeting expansion across Nigeria and into other African countries within the next five years.
“In the next five years, we want to occupy the whole of Nigeria and expand to other African countries,” he said.
Adeleke said AppClick Technology’s journey began in 2009 after his mother encouraged him to learn the basics of computing before he proceeded to Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), now Tai Solarin Federal University of Education (TASFUED), where he studied Computer Science.
Speaking while cutting the ribbon to unveil the headquarters, Prof. Omotayo, who was the guest of honour at the event, commended Adeleke’s vision and the growth of the academy.
Addressing the graduating students, Prof. Omotayo urged them to commit themselves to their careers, stressing that hard work remains essential to success. He also encouraged them to build networks, saying this would help them make the transition from learning to earning.
“To be successful in IT, you have to put in a lot of effort. Without effort, you cannot succeed in IT. There is no shortcut to success. You must learn the process. You have to learn how to make foundational sacrifices.”
He stressed that one does not need to have everything figured out before beginning a career in tech, noting that a person’s field of study does not determine whether they can succeed in the industry.
“You can start from anywhere. Whether you studied History or any other course, it doesn’t matter. What matters is your willingness to learn and grow in the field,” he said.
The event also featured a guest speech by Tunde Buremo, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cardify Africa, who spoke on the theme, “From Learning to Earning in Tech: Real Ways to Make Money with AI, Fintech and Digital Skills.”
Buremo said the skills the graduates had acquired would shape what they go on to build. He described those skills as valuable tools for advancing their careers and urged them to identify people’s needs and build products around them.
“Every successful product is the result of a need. These needs are all around you. Just focus on one at a time.”
Also speaking, Babajide Dawodu, Senior Site Reliability Engineer at Credit Direct Ltd (FCMB Group), spoke on the use of artificial intelligence and urged its responsible application.
He noted that AI is not meant to replace humans but to complement human effort. He added that those who would excel in the age of AI are those who understand the tasks they want to accomplish and can prompt the technology effectively.
“AI is not replacing professions; it is replacing tasks,” he said.
Another speaker, Dotun Amujo, Senior Platform Engineer at FCMB Group, spoke on how to start and grow a successful career in tech.
AppClick ICT Academy, a subsidiary of AppClick Technology, offers training in software engineering, cybersecurity and ethical hacking, artificial intelligence, data analytics, data science, AI automation, web design, UI/UX design, graphic design, Python programming, Java programming, DevOps engineering, mobile app development, digital marketing and digital literacy.
The academy is registered in Nigeria, the United States and the United Kingdom and aims to build a pipeline of tech leaders, innovators and digital creators across Africa through hands-on training, innovation and industry-relevant learning.