The House of Representatives Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has expressed deep concern over the exclusion of millions of Nigerian youths from the digital economy, warning that lack of access to skills, technology, and opportunities is leaving a large segment of the population behind.
Speaking at a Diplomatic CSR Roundtable held in Abuja on Wednesday, the Committee’s Vice Chairman, Hon. Afolabi Afuape, stressed the urgent need for coordinated interventions to bridge the gap. The roundtable was organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“Nigeria has over 200 million people, with one of the fastest-growing youth populations globally,” Afuape said. “Yet, millions of our young people remain excluded from the digital economy, with limited access to essential skills and opportunities.
The 21st century has shown that no nation, sector, or community can thrive in isolation. Challenges such as digital exclusion, poverty, climate change, and social integration require bold, collaborative, and forward-looking solutions.”
He emphasized the need to rethink CSR beyond token charity, positioning it instead as a strategic instrument for national development and international partnerships. “Properly harnessed, CSR can bridge the digital divide, drive sustainable development in communities, and build trust between nations,” he added.
Highlighting the #CSR4DEV initiative, Afuape described it as a national programme designed to advance digital literacy, promote AI-powered skills development, enhance financial inclusion in underserved communities, and strengthen institutions through global legislative exchanges.
According to him, the roundtable serves as a “working dialogue where embassies, private sector leaders, international agencies, and government institutions deliberate, commit, and co-create solutions.”
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, lauded the initiative, noting the diaspora’s vital role in Nigeria’s socio-economic growth.
Represented by Director Abdulrahman Terab, she said, “The Nigerian diaspora contributes significantly through remittances, investments, knowledge, and networks.
Programmes like the BRIDGE Initiative and the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit leverage this expertise to strengthen education and attract investments in real estate, agriculture, health, and fintech.”
She further highlighted philanthropic efforts by diaspora groups, citing organisations such as the Nigerians in Diaspora UK Foundation and the Zumunta Foundation, which continue to support ICT capacity-building and medical outreach programmes in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Petitions, Hon. Kwamoti Bitrus Lao’ri, called for public support towards establishing a Nigerian Corporate Social Responsibility Fund, which he said would institutionalize CSR as a driver of national development.
“The #CSR4DEV initiative and the Nigeria CSR Fund are bold commitments to harness corporate responsibility for sustainable development, social equity, and shared prosperity,” Lao’ri noted. “In partnership with the Cyber Future Academy, we aim to ensure transparency, accountability, and maximum impact.”
The roundtable ended with a call for stronger collaboration between government, the private sector, international agencies, and the diaspora community to create inclusive pathways for Nigeria’s young population in the digital economy.
