She stated this during her keynote address at a recent technology and innovation boot camp in Lagos. Speaking at the 2025 Data Science of Nigeria Artificial Intelligence Bootcamp, Sanya challenged young Nigerians to use their knowledge and creativity to drive meaningful change in their communities.
She stated, “Some people tell me they have 50 or 60 certifications. But it’s not about the certifications; it’s about what you do with what you learn.
‘‘At the end of it all, it’s the impact that counts.”
While highlighting Nigeria’s youth advantage, Sanya noted that Africa is the youngest continent on earth, and Nigeria is the youngest country in the world, with a median age of 17. She, however, urged participants to channel their energy into innovation and entrepreneurship that address local challenges.
She remarked, “With the skills that you have, so what? What next? If you sit down with the knowledge, it doesn’t serve anyone. “You must identify the problems you want to solve and who you’re solving them for.”
According to her, success today is about creating value in the marketplace through problem-solving and collaboration. She emphasised that technology must remain people-centred, saying, ‘we’re solving for human beings, not robots. Whether you’re a data scientist or an AI engineer, your work must humanise technology and bring value to people.’