Minister of Finance Taiwo Oyedele has urged graduating students of the University of Uyo to be intentional about their digital footprint, warning that what they post online can shape their future opportunities.
Oyedele gave the advice while delivering the University of Uyo convocation lecture, where he told the graduating class that their digital footprint is part of their CV.
“You will spend years building your qualifications. But employers, investors and partners may meet your online presence before they meet you. In an AI-powered world, what you post can be searched, indexed and analysed,” he said.
He encouraged the graduands to be bold, challenge ideas, question authority and demand accountability, but to disagree with facts, not insults.
“Intelligence shows in how you disagree, not how loudly you shout,” he said.
Oyedele added: “Attention is not respect. Popularity is not credibility. Going viral is not creating value.”
“Your digital footprint should open doors for you, not close doors you do not yet know exist,” he said.
He congratulated the graduating class and urged them to be intentional about the reputation they build, online and offline.
