Ilorin: Elizabeth Olawoyin, a student of Government Day Secondary School in Agbabiaka, Ilorin, recently embarked on a transformative journey at the ‘AI and Data Science for Her’ bootcamp held at UMCAT Chapel. Prior to this, Olawoyin had little exposure to the digital world; she had never written code or explored Artificial Intelligence (AI). However, within five days, she and her peers presented a technology-driven solution to combat human trafficking, marking a significant personal and educational transformation.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the initiative by Tech Girls Club aims to address the digital gender gap by empowering girls with the skills and confidence to see themselves as technology creators. This bootcamp, specifically designed for girls, is part of a broader strategy to promote digital inclusion among young females in Nigeria. Global data from UNICEF underscores the necessity of such initiatives, highlighting that a majority of adolescent girls and young women in low-income countries remain offline, with only 65 female youths possessing digital skills for every 100 male youths.
Wonderful Osalor, Project Manager of Tech Girls Club, emphasized the remarkable progress the girls made, transitioning from novices to individuals capable of writing code within a short span. The training encompassed digital literacy and advanced topics like AI, data science, Python programming, machine learning, and data visualization. The girls applied these skills to develop solutions addressing societal challenges such as unemployment, agriculture, corruption, and online fraud.
For instance, Modibbo Zainab, another participant, utilized her newfound knowledge to propose an AI-powered platform aimed at improving food distribution in Nigeria. Similarly, Ajibade Aminat, who had basic computer skills, worked on an AI scam detector to tackle online fraud. These experiences highlight the shift from awareness of technology to actively using it to solve community problems.
Dr. Wilson Sakpere, an Associate Investigator and Lead Facilitator of the programme, stressed the importance of early exposure to STEM fields for girls, particularly in underserved communities. He pointed out that unequal access to educational opportunities could exacerbate the digital divide.
Prof. Patricia Etejere, a retired lecturer from the University of Ilorin, echoed the sentiment that closing the digital divide requires efforts beyond government initiatives. She advocated for parents, schools, NGOs, and other stakeholders to play an active role in providing resources and support.
The long-term goal, as outlined by Osalor, is for participants to establish AI and Data Science clubs in their schools, fostering a ripple effect that extends the programme’s impact. The Ilorin bootcamp is part of a larger initiative to reach 300 girls across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, sponsored by Neural Information Processing Systems.
The programme’s success is measured not just in the skills acquired but in the confidence instilled in participants like Olawoyin, Zainab, and Aminat, who return to their schools as potential teachers and innovators. Observers believe these 51 girls will ignite a chain reaction, gradually narrowing the digital gender gap in Nigeria.