On the 8th of January, 2025, we visited a school 347 km away from Lagos, in a small town in the southwestern part of Nigeria, named Imade College Owo, to kick off a project for students (aged 10-14) in public secondary schools in Nigeria to solve a problem in their school or community. The objective of the project is to promote student's critical thinking and problem-solving skills on AI and Machine Learning concepts using PictoBlox. Mutembei Kariuki, CEO of Fastagger, highlights that AI/ML's role in handling routine tasks can elevate teachers to serve more as mentors, enhancing the overall educational experience. Despite its potential, the adoption of Artificial intelligence and machine learning in African education systems faces challenges. At Imade College Owo, we selected 50 students across SS1 and SS2 to participate. They were broken into 10 teams, each working on a project throughout the training. They had to start from the basics, and we covered a detailed curriculum step by step to help them learn effectively. After a period of 8 weeks, the students were able to create projects such as a machine learning model using image classification, a system using face recognition that can detect different facial expressions, and an AI-powered virtual assistant that can respond to basic questions or perform simple tasks based on user commands. The ripple effect started when they started to train their other classmates, build simple projects that were relevant in the context of their vicinity and implement them for real-life cases. Students at Imade College Owo are on a roll, and they are pulling their weight to build 40 more projects before the end of the academic session.

The most asked question and most said statement while we were at Victory College, Ikare, was: "Do you understand? Let me know if you want me to go over it again!" Our mission was to introduce the students to the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) using PictoBlox. We worked with 50 students, a diverse mix of male and female, both creative and technical, quiet and hyperactive — dividing them into ten teams to ensure hands-on learning and collaboration. We started from the very basics: defining AI and its real-world applications and understanding the importance of AI in today's world. Introducing Machine Learning, its types (supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning), and its applications. With this solid foundation, the students were ready to embark on their own AI-powered projects. Each team took on a unique project that tackled real-world problems in their school or community: Team 1 - Alpha: Detecting Bad Fruits Using AI. Team 2 - Bravo: Interactive Classroom Information Display Using Finger Gestures. Team 3 - Delta: Interactive Classroom Items Learning Using Object Detection. Team 4 - Echo: AI Chatbot for Mental Health Advice & Support. Team 5 - Foxtrot: Interactive School History Chatbot. Team 6 - Golf: Interactive Town Information Chatbot. Team 7 - Kilo: Smart Attendance System with Face Recognition. Team 8 - Oscar: Determining Weather Conditions Using AI. Team 9 - Sierra: Detecting Plant Health Using AI. Team 10 - Quebec: Sorting Recyclable Materials Using AI. Beyond just learning AI concepts, our goal was to empower these students to think outside the box—analyzing everyday challenges and solving them in innovative, analytical, and creative ways. And we did exactly that. The excitement, curiosity, and enthusiasm from the students confirmed one thing: The future of AI in Nigeria is bright, and we will start with young minds like these.

I READ, I KNOW, I'M WISE! This chant echoed throughout the three-day reading boot camp, a program designed to cultivate a love for books. Boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 12 gathered, many of them showcasing their passion for literature by bringing along their favourite reads, fiction, epilogues, memoirs, and even manga. One particularly enthusiastic reader proudly displayed his collection of Supa Strikas comics, and it sparked excitement among his peers. SeedDev, as a technical partner, made the event more than just a reading club; it was a transformative experience. Children participated in engaging reading sessions, spelling bees, writing articles, group activities, and a thrilling treasure hunt. But beyond these traditional literacy activities, the program embraced a forward-thinking approach, integrating digital literacy and discussions about the evolving landscape of work. During the interactive sessions, the young readers discovered fun facts about computer history, from the earliest mechanical calculators to the supercomputers of today. They learned about the importance of digital skills and how reading habits can be enhanced with modern tools. Demonstrations on using Kindle devices opened their eyes to the convenience of e-books, while hands-on tutorials introduced them to computer shortcuts. One of the most enlightening discussions revolved around the internet as a vast repository of knowledge. The children were guided on how to use online resources responsibly, distinguish credible sources from misinformation, and explore platforms that foster learning. They were introduced to digital libraries, audiobooks, and educational platforms that can help expand their reading habits beyond physical books. As technology continues to redefine industries, the ability to navigate and interpret digital content will be as valuable as the ability to read a physical book. The children left with not only new books but also new perspectives on how reading can be a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. As the chants of "I READ, I KNOW, I'M WISE!" filled the air, it became evident that this program had left a good mark. These young readers are not just consuming stories; they are preparing to shape the future with the knowledge they acquire today. And that, truly, is the magic of reading.

During the course of this project, 2500 students were trained in Ilaje and Ese Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State. We worked with 34 schools across the two local government areas. Our first Stop over was at Holy Trinity Primary School, Igbokoda, where we trained 30 students in the school using the SeedDEV Learning Application that helps to introduce our student to programming with Python, Java, C#, Javascript, Php. The kids were very excited to be a part of the training as most of them have not seen or worked with a computer system before the visit.

A team of five girls, with the Team Name, "Team Believe" are being mentored by us for the Technovation Challenge 2019. Technovation challenge brings girls together in teams globally in order to recognize and subsequently solve a problem in their communities using technology. The program is designed to help young girls learn about entrepreneurship and technology. The team of five girls came up with a solution named "BCReg" which is a mobile application designed to help solve the problem of birth registration in Nigeria.

Our visit to King's Will Secondary school in Ile Ife Osun State, Nigeria was an exciting experience for our team. We trained the JSS3 students of the school, sensitizing them about the career opportunities in technology and also introduced them to basic computer programming languages using our SeedDEV learning App. 120 students of the school participated in the training.