Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has empowered 250 young Nigerians with cutting-edge technical skills in a large-scale human capital development initiative aimed at boosting innovation, employability, and self-reliance.

Held at her residence in Kogi Central, the intensive training programme featured specialised instruction in drone technology, renewable energy installation, advanced welding, and data analytics. The training breakdown included 80 participants in drone security and environmental sustainability, 50 in renewable energy, another 50 in welding and fabrication, and 70 in data analytics.

At the closing ceremony, Akpoti-Uduaghan described the initiative as a “strategic human capacity development” effort, adding that “our people deserve to be empowered with the very best of technology for self-reliance.”

A key highlight was the integration of drone technology, inspired by successful use cases in countries like South Africa, Egypt, and Ethiopia, into the empowerment scheme. The senator stressed that drones represent “the new frontier of socio-economic development,” with applications spanning construction, agriculture, delivery logistics, telecommunications, and environmental monitoring.

In a groundbreaking gesture, the senator distributed 80 drones free of charge to individuals and educational institutions. Ten tertiary institutions across Nigeria were among the beneficiaries, including:

• Federal College of Education, Okene
• Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara
• Kogi State University, Anyigba
• Federal University, Lokoja
• Federal Polytechnic, Idah
• Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja
• University of Ilorin
• Bayero University, Kano
• Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
• Federal University of Science and Technology, Minna

Each school received DJI Neo drones tailored to meet regulatory safety standards, aimed at equipping departments of Geology and Environmental Sciences for hands-on learning and research.

Akpoti-Uduaghan noted that the initiative complements her previous tech-driven projects, including the launch of two smart markets with 160 shop spaces and the distribution of 700 computers to students at Abdul-Azeez Attah Memorial College, Okene.

Reaffirming her long-term commitment to tech empowerment, she stated, “Our people deserve the best. I will continue to empower them with modern technologies and innovation-driven opportunities that improve lives and secure the future.”