ICT untapped goldmine for youths – expert

To wean youths off the addiction of embracing crime to make quick money, an Information Communications Technology (ICT) expert, Akarah Ebenezer Ulochukwu, has urged the Federal and states governments and Nigerians to adopt digitalization, so as to reap from its wealth of opportunities in line with global trends. Ulochukwu, who is the Chief Executive Officer […]

To wean youths off the addiction of embracing crime to make quick money, an Information Communications Technology (ICT) expert, Akarah Ebenezer Ulochukwu, has urged the Federal and states governments and Nigerians to adopt digitalization, so as to reap from its wealth of opportunities in line with global trends.

Ulochukwu, who is the Chief Executive Officer and Group Managing Director of Bricks to Cribs & Bar (BTCBARS) gave the advice in Abuja.

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According to him, more Nigerian youths need to explore the internet and find legitimate means of making money as endless opportunities abound in it.

He said there are countless ways people can make honest money online, adding that the common belief in Nigeria, that anyone who makes money on the internet is a fraud is a misconception.

He emphasized that among the various countries he has been to, Nigeria is the only country that everybody who makes money online is tagged a fraud. He said kids as young as eight years old in other countries are innovating ideas and businesses online and raking millions of dollars.

He also said that he was lucky to have access to a computer in his home as a child and that he started exploring the internet at a very young age around 2011 when he did a lot of survey tests online and got paid in bitcoins.

“There is a low level of digital literacy in the country and it is affecting the market. There are a very few of us who are digitally inclined. So, to keep up with digital trends and market opportunities, you must be digitally enlightened. Also, COVID19 has affected a lot of things and many things are being done online and remotely,” he said.

Reacting to the Bitcoin ban by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Ulochukwu said that the Apex bank must have seen the potential of digital currency that was why it has decided to launch its own.

He said his company is fully digitalized to cater for the various sectors of the market both locally and internationally.

He advised Nigerians to embrace online entrepreneurship to boost the nation’s economy and also urged the government to assist young innovators as there cannot be progress if there is no support from the government.

Giving more insight into BTCBARS, he said the organisation is a group of companies invested to making impacts in various sectors including real estate, agriculture, entertainment, logistics and finance, among others.