SeedDev and Dzeuls Foundation did it again, and we are not stopping anytime soon. Saturday, 21st June 2025, it was the continuation of a journey, last year we trained, mentored and graduated the first cohort of participants, and they are doing phenomenal, this year we decided to take it a notch higher by swapping interactive boards for keyboards and turning curiosity into creativity for about 300+ kids. For most of the kids, this wasn’t just about learning to use a system; it was their first time writing code, exploring artificial intelligence with ChatGPT, and seeing themselves as creators. It marked the first time they realized they could build, design, and contribute to the digital world. 30 children per batch for 10 batches, and the kids were stretched from learning digital basics like typing and mouse navigation, to writing 4 lines of code in HTML. They explored AI through ChatGPT, and we took pictures of them and converted them using prompts. They even got a taste of virtual reality when the VR headsets came on, every kid had that look on their face that screamed with amazement. Some laughed, some cried, but all were in awe. For many, it was their first time experiencing a world beyond their physical environment. Our curators worked patiently, helping kids overcome shyness and fear of damaging devices. There were challenges, but the breakthrough was greater. By the end of the day, over 180 kids had used a computer for the first time. More than 250 had written their first lines of code, and they had begun to see themselves as part of the tech future. Ijero Tech Day 2025 wasn’t just a program. It was a spark. SeedDEV and Dzuels Foundation remain committed to continuing this journey, reaching more kids, telling more stories, and opening more doors. One kid. One system. One future at a time.

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.

For three (3) weeks in the 12 month incubation program, we embarked on a transformative journey with our incredible children at Ijero-Ekiti, our focus during this time was on introducing the kids, to the world of design through the innovative platform of Figma and we have witnessed remarkable growth, resilience, and talent flourish in the minds of these kids. And what started as just a class soon blossomed into profound understanding and mastery. Starting from design principles to user interface to user experience to presentations of their projects, their dedication and enthusiasm were palpable. As curators, this journey with Figma served as a testament to the belief in the transformative power of education to inspire change. For these kids, access to technology and digital skills training is a luxury they never dreamed of. Yet, with determination and perseverance, they embraced every challenge, turning obstacles into opportunities for growth. Through our Figma class, we not only taught them technical skills but also instilled in them a sense of confidence, creativity, and problem-solving abilities which are the building blocks of future leaders, innovators, and changemakers. Allow us to share with you a few anecdotes that exemplify the spirit and dedication of our kids: Ifeoluwa, a shy but determined 12-year-old, surprised us all with her weird colour combination at first then went ahead to refine that for her UI design. Despite her initial hesitation, she quickly immersed herself in the world of Figma, creating stunning interfaces. Omotade, a 16-year-old with a thing for storytelling, will probably win best user persona creator, he impressed us all with his approach to design challenges. Opemipo is 13 years old girl and she can replicate "WhatsApp's chat, status and call interface" the design team at META better prepare for an intern soon. These are just a few examples of the countless moments of inspiration and growth that unfolded during our time together. Each child brought their own unique talents, perspectives, and dreams to the table, and together. In closing, as we reflect on the impact of our Figma class, we are filled with an overwhelming sense of pride and gratitude. I invite you to join us in celebrating the extraordinary achievements of these young minds on the 6th of April 2024. With deepest gratitude and warmest regards.

To my Dearest , My name is Hanaa, and I am a 24-year-old girl from Morocco. I want to share something from my heart with you because I believe in you and the incredible future you hold. Life is never easy. There will be days when it feels like everything is against you, but remember, every challenge is a chance to grow stronger. It took me years to understand that life is full of surprises. Never let anyone tell you what you can or can't do. If you want something, work hard for it, and you will get there. your dreams are powerful. Every obstacle you face is a step towards greatness. Your strength and resilience are your greatest assets. Believe in yourself, hold onto your dreams, and never give up. Your future is bright, and you can achieve incredible things. Remember that you have a unique opportunity to make a difference. Use your resources to uplift others and create positive change in your community. Even the smallest actions can inspire and empower those around you. No matter where you come from, education is your greatest tool. Stay curious, embrace learning, and pursue your passions with determination. Africa’s future is in your hands, and I believe you will lead with wisdom, courage, and kindness. Remember, you’ve got this. Life may be tough, but so are you. With all my love and hope, Hanaa Sending lots of love from Morocco

Hello dear, My name is Arinola Addo Daniel. In 2021, my big brother said to me, “life is not equal for everyone, but life is fair to everyone”. It took me over 7 months to fully understand what that meant and its implications on my life. Let me explain it this way: view 'LIFE' like you are playing a game of cards and there are other players. You won’t get the same cards, might be close but they will never be the same, still you have to play. Once you start, everyone is given a certain number of cards to start with (this might mean your background, the city you were born into, the number of children in your family, and how unbelievably liquid or solid your parents are), at a point, player B might have to pick 2 (this could mean failing an exam and losing a loved or buying a laptop and free tuition till you graduate school), player F might get to skip a game round (this could mean being in and out of the hospital for a year), player X might pick a general market affecting everyone on the table (winning a competition that gives his/her community a transformer for stable electricity or joining a local gang that causes everyone unrest) My lesson: Surrender to the cards in front of you, cause that’s your arsenal, don’t see another person's card as an advantage (it might indeed be a better set of cards but it's their card, it does you no good, so focus on yours) make (play) the best out of what you have. Always play well and give it your best shot, whenever you're playing, whatever card you're playing, is the last time you're playing that card, you won't get to play it again, make it count. So I write to you, Amira (Algeria) and Omar (Egypt), Aissata (Guinea) and Yao (Cote d'Ivoire), Léa (Congo) and Kwame (Ghana), Fatoumata (Gambia) and Njoya (Cameroon), Wanjiku (Kenya) and Asiwaju (Nigeria), that never forget the words of popular African music philosopher, “eni ba fe lowo bi Dangote, oni lati jagun - He who wants to be rich like Dangote will fight many battles” - Ahmed Ololade ‘23. Remember, the light will always separate you!