As digital technology continues to define global progress, timely investment in children’s digital literacy is now seen as a vital step toward preparing the next generation for future challenges. To bridge the digital divide and empower students in underserved communities, the organisers of Project iCommunity, led by Titi Adewusi, co-founder of 9ijakids, have embarked on a mission to ensure that no child is left behind in Nigeria’s digital future.
Project iCommunity is a deliberate and inclusive initiative designed to promote digital inclusion and build 21st-century skills among students in public schools across Nigeria. In its latest implementation, the project extended its impact to 15 public secondary schools in underserved communities in Lagos, Delta, and Ondo States, reaching over 750 students.
Supported by a strong coalition of partners, including Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the initiative focused on delivering practical training in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), design thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.
Speaking about the project, Titi Adewusi stressed the need for collaborative efforts to close the digital gap and ensure widespread access to quality education. “We are deeply grateful to Chevron and NNPC for their commitment to Nigerian youth, as well as our partners—STEMMETs, The Creative Kids (TCK) Zone, Robotics 4 Kids, and SeedDev,” she said.
According to her, the five-week program was both intensive and impactful, combining classroom sessions with hands-on, real-world challenges that brought technology to life for the participants. She emphasised that the greatest success lies in seeing children from disadvantaged backgrounds now equipped with the tools to thrive in a digital economy, potentially breaking the cycle of poverty in their communities.
The program climaxed with a Demo Day competition, where top teams from each school presented innovative AI-based solutions to real community problems. These presentations were evaluated by panels comprising officials from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, project sponsors, and leaders from the private sector.
In Lagos State, the competition saw Badore Community High School clinch the 1st prize with its project titled “Attend AI,” a smart classroom attendance system using facial recognition technology. Ilasan Senior Secondary School took 2nd place with the “Smart Pajec” classroom attendance system, also AI-driven, while Gbara Community Senior Secondary School emerged 3rd place with its innovative “Edubot”—a virtual assistant powered by AI to support students with assignments.
Each of the winning schools received prizes valued at N1 million, rewarding their creativity, teamwork, and application of digital knowledge to solve practical problems.
One of the participants, Adebayo Fawaz from Ilasan Senior Secondary School, shared his enthusiasm: “I never imagined enjoying AI until this program. Creating an attendance system with facial recognition showed me how technology solves real problems. I am inspired to learn more.”
Adewusi also highlighted that public-private partnerships are crucial to educational advancement in Nigeria. She noted that uniting for a common cause not only fosters innovation but also contributes significantly to local and national development.
By bringing together corporate partners, educational institutions, and NGOs, Project iCommunity has demonstrated the power of collaboration in transforming education and building a future-ready generation
