Abiola Odetola, Special Adviser on Strategy and Policy Development to the Director-General of the National Sports Commission and former Special Assistant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Job Creation and Youth Empowerment, has urged Nigerian youths to channel their street energy and hustle into skills that drive productivity.

Odetola emphasized that, despite economic challenges, young people must learn to earn with skill, create with conscience, and compete globally. He stressed that transforming hustles into skills could drastically reshape Africa’s narrative.

He made the remarks on Wednesday during the flagship initiative of “StreetToSkills,” describing the platform as a national initiative that aligns youth potential with the demands of a rapidly digitizing economy. The program aims to create a pipeline of talent for the digital, creative, sports, and green economies.

“Nigeria’s streets are not symbols of despair, but reservoirs of raw talent waiting for structure, mentorship, and belief,” Odetola said. “If one young person can transform hustle into skills, then together we can rewrite Africa’s story—one cohort, one community, one continent at a time. It proves that government, private sector, and civil society can co-create pathways that lift young people from hustle to dignity. We are building a generation that will earn with skill, create with conscience, and compete globally.”

Also speaking, Oluwatosin Adejayo, founder of Design Cave, highlighted that training and empowerment can help young people discover their purpose and avoid falling into depression. She praised the fact that half of the 37 participants were women who have broken free from traditional roles to excel in technology and innovation, preparing to create digital solutions, solve design problems, and leverage data effectively.

Meanwhile, Tosin Fakile, founder of Devcent Trainings, emphasized the importance of collaboration in reaching more people, creating opportunities, and empowering the next generation of tech talents.