As part of its 2025 Y’ello Connect programme, MTN Nigeria has trained students at St. Augustine College of Education, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos, on the ethical and productive use of artificial intelligence (AI). The initiative, held at the college premises, forms part of MTN’s broader commitment to corporate social responsibility and digital inclusion.
Led by MTN staff, the session focused on helping students understand how to use AI tools responsibly and effectively, rather than relying on them for unethical practices such as plagiarism. Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Nigeria, Onyinye Ikenya-Emeka, explained that the initiative is part of the company’s drive to “connect at the roots” through enhanced digital literacy.
“We’re going back to the basics. We’ve been engaging across different communities—schools, churches, markets—since June 1, to push digital literacy,” she said. “A lot of students are submitting plagiarised work. What we’re advocating is not to avoid AI, but to use it meaningfully, to enhance your work, and to extract real value from it.”
Ikenya-Emeka stressed that understanding the fundamentals of digital tools, including AI and machine learning, would prepare students to navigate a rapidly changing digital world.
Also speaking at the event was Ugochi Agoreyo, Strategic Partner Development Manager for Google Search, who urged students to stop using AI merely to complete assignments. Instead, she encouraged them to leverage the technology to improve their learning experience and customize their study paths.
“AI helps optimize the way you learn. It’s not about shortcuts; it’s about deeper understanding and smarter learning,” she said. “Use AI responsibly and ethically—it’s a tool for growth, not a crutch.”
Ayobamidele Oke, a Solution Architect at Huawei, also took students through a practical session on prompt engineering, highlighting how to frame effective commands when using AI. He advised students to be specific in their prompts, assigning clear tasks to AI systems for better results.
The Provost of St. Augustine College of Education, Rev. Fr. (Dr) Vincent Olofinkua, commended MTN for the initiative, describing it as a critical step toward bridging the digital divide and equipping students for the future.
“MTN is investing not just in infrastructure, but in people,” he said. “This training sharpens skills, fuels curiosity, and opens new frontiers for our students.”
Beyond training, MTN also donated ICT tools to the school, including an Acer projector with screen, two laptops, a 5G router, 10 desktop computers with monitors, and 10 MiFi devices. The donation aims to further support digital learning and ensure access to quality educational technology.
The Y’ello Connect initiative has been running for 18 years across the 19 countries where MTN operates. This year’s Nigerian edition underscores the company’s continued investment in youth empowerment and future-ready education.
