This year’s Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Secondary Schools Essay Competition and Prize-Giving Ceremony highlighted a rising generation of students who are thinking critically about technology’s impact on Nigeria’s future workforce. Held on November 27, the event showcased how secondary school participants are engaging deeply with the theme: “The Role of Robotics and AI: Positive and Negative Effects Shaping Nigeria’s Job Sector.”
At the grand finale, students delivered confident, thoughtful arguments on both the opportunities and risks emerging from robotics and Artificial Intelligence. Their presentations reflected a grasp of the shifting global workplace and the relevance of innovation to national development.
Rhoda Aluko of Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu, emerged as the winner of the debate segment, with Taiwo Olalekan of Eric Moore Senior High School, Surulere, placing second, and Isabella Oyeleye of Caleb British International School taking third. The top performers received a range of rewards—including cash prizes, laptops, smart watches and other gifts—offered by supporting partners. Aluko also received a seed investment award from Cordros Capital Limited, while her teacher was honoured with a cash prize and a mobile phone.
Representing LCCI President Gabriel Idahosa, Deputy President Leye Kupoluyi described the ceremony as a celebration of “ideas, excellence, and the boundless potential of Nigerian youths.” He noted that the competition has evolved into a platform that encourages analytical thinking, creativity and a deeper engagement with emerging technologies.
Idahosa reaffirmed LCCI’s commitment to youth-focused initiatives, stressing the Chamber’s drive to support education, entrepreneurship, digital literacy and leadership. Such interventions, he said, are intended to nurture a globally competitive generation capable of leading the country’s technological and economic transformation.
A total of 234 essays were submitted from schools across Lagos State. However, 150 did not meet the minimum 20 per cent ethical-use standard for AI assistance and were disqualified, leaving 84 entries for final assessment. According to LASU Chief Academic Planning Officer Olusegun Hokon, evaluators focused on originality, grammar, coherence, context and appropriate use of data.
LCCI Vice-President Layo Bakare-Okeowo praised the finalists for their diligence and creativity, while Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Olatunbosun Alake—represented by Theophilus Muto—encouraged students to go beyond theory and build AI-driven solutions that can address real-world problems.
Muto highlighted AI’s global economic potential, projected to exceed $15.7 trillion by 2030, and noted that technological advances could create an estimated 97 million new jobs while displacing about 92 million. He emphasized that the future will favour individuals who can collaborate effectively with technology, while cautioning that issues such as job displacement, data privacy, retraining and the digital divide must remain central to national planning.
The ceremony ultimately underscored both the promise and the challenges of Nigeria’s digital future—and the crucial role young people will play in shaping it.
