By Peace Udugba
Airtel Nigeria, through the Airtel Africa Foundation, has reaffirmed its commitment to youth development by providing a free virtual employability masterclass aimed at equipping young Nigerians with practical skills for success in today’s technology-driven workplace.
The initiative, organised to commemorate World Youth Skills Day 2026 under the theme, “Skills for a Shared Future – The NextGen Advantage,” brought together experienced Airtel professionals who mentored undergraduates, interns and recent graduates on the realities of the modern workplace.
Held under the Airtel Employee Volunteer Programme (EVP), through which employees volunteer their time and expertise for social impact initiatives, the 90-minute virtual session attracted more than 400 undergraduates and young professionals, further expanding the Foundation’s education and youth empowerment efforts.
Speaking during the programme, the Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh, said investing in young people remains one of the most effective ways to build Nigeria’s future economy.
According to him, the future of work is evolving rapidly, making it essential for young people to possess the right skills, mindset and adaptability to succeed.
“As an organisation, we believe that empowering young people with practical digital and professional capabilities is an investment in Nigeria’s future competitiveness. Through our Employee Volunteer Programme, our people are sharing not just knowledge, but real industry experience to help shape careers, unlock opportunities and prepare the next generation to lead in a digital world,” he said.
Unlike conventional career seminars, the masterclass adopted an interactive format that allowed participants to choose specialised breakout sessions tailored to their career interests and professional goals.
Delivering the keynote address titled “The NextGen Advantage,” Airtel Nigeria’s Director of Corporate Communications and CSR, Femi Adeniran, highlighted the importance of transforming ideas into impactful solutions through continuous learning and innovation.
He identified five key ingredients for building a future-ready career: continuous learning, problem-solving, building a strong digital reputation, embracing Artificial Intelligence (AI), and strengthening human skills.
“Technical knowledge remains important, but employers today are equally looking for adaptability, collaboration, communication, digital confidence and the ability to learn continuously,” Adeniran said.
During the general sessions, Airtel Nigeria’s Director of Human Resources and Administration, Adebimpe Ayo-Elias, encouraged participants to build strong character and valuable professional networks in a session titled “Your Network is Your Net Worth.”
Another session, “Your Money, Your Future,” facilitated by Olakunbi Osigbesan, Head of Treasury at Smartcash PSB, focused on budgeting, financial planning and discipline.
Participants also attended five specialised breakout sessions covering critical workplace competencies. Oyebowale Akideinde, General Manager, Digital and Innovation, spoke on digital transformation and leveraging technology for career growth.
The CV Clinic and Interview Masterclass, facilitated by Chidera Okoye, HR Outsourcing Lead, provided practical guidance on writing applicant tracking system (ATS)-friendly CVs and mastering the STAR interview technique.
A session on communication and personal branding, led by Sam Adeoye, Head of Public Relations, equipped participants with strategies for effective communication and professional visibility.
In another session titled “AI as Your Superpower,” Ezenwa Agbanusi, IT Governance Executive, introduced participants to prompt engineering and AI-powered tools that enhance productivity, learning and workplace performance.
The final breakout session, facilitated by Airtel Nigeria’s Corporate Social Responsibility Lead, Victoria Ndu, focused on emotional intelligence and its importance in achieving workplace and business success.
Through the initiative, Airtel Nigeria said it remains committed to connecting young professionals with industry experts and equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving digital economy.
