–Programme To Train Over 3,000 Teachers And Reach 157,000 Students Across Nigeria
News Highlights:
- NerdzFactory Launches Nationwide AI Literacy Programme in Partnership with Raspberry Pi and Google DeepMind
- Lagos State Government and Educators Embrace AI Integration in Classrooms
In a landmark event held on Tuesday, at the NerdzFactory Headquarters in Lagos, the official launch of the “Experience AI” programme signalled a transformative leap toward democratizing artificial intelligence (AI) education in Nigeria.
The initiative, spearheaded by NerdzFactory in partnership with global tech leaders- Raspberry Pi Foundation and Google DeepMind, aims to equip over 3,150 secondary school teachers and reach more than 157,000 students nationwide.
In a compelling welcome address, Ade Olowojoba, NerdzFactory’s Founding Partner, stated, “Today marks more than just the launch of an initiative. It represents a bold step into the future—one where access to cutting-edge knowledge and skills is no longer a privilege for a few, but a right for all.”
Represented at the launch by Motolani Folabi, the company’s Business and Operations Lead, Olowojoba said the Experience AI programme is designed to do more than teach artificial intelligence concepts. It seeks to inspire creativity, empower innovation, and give students and educators alike the confidence to lead in a technology-driven world.
“This partnership allows us to walk into underserved classrooms, connect with passionate teachers, and open the door to a world of innovation for students who may have never imagined careers in tech, AI, or machine learning,” Olowojoba noted.
Raspberry Pi Backs AI Education for Nigerian Students
Katherine Leadbetter, Global Partnerships Manager at Raspberry Pi Foundation, echoed this vision, expressing excitement at the programme’s Nigerian debut. “At the core of our mission, we work to enable young people to realise their potential through the power of computing and digital technologies,” she said.
The Experience AI curriculum, co-developed with experts from Google DeepMind, blends rigorous pedagogy with real-world application and is aligned with UNESCO’s AI Competency Framework.
With over 500,000 downloads of Experience AI materials across 160 countries, and an estimated reach of 1.6 million students globally, Leadbetter underscored the global demand for foundational AI education.
She emphasized the importance of local partners like NerdzFactory: “Our partners are our eyes and ears on the ground. They bring the cultural context and community expertise essential for real impact.”
Google Renews Commitment to AI Literacy in Nigeria
Google’s Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy for West Africa, Adewolu Adene, lauded the impactful network behind the programme, noting that over 8,300 teachers have already been trained globally.
“Experience AI helps young people not just to use these tools, but to truly understand their potential. That understanding sparks genuine excitement, creativity, and innovation,” he said.
Adene confirmed that 3,000 teachers in Southwest Nigeria would be directly reached through the initiative, adding that visuals from successful training sessions in Kenya and Malaysia foreshadow the kind of success expected in Nigeria.
Lagos State Endorses Experience AI, Hails it as a Milestone in Education Innovation
The Lagos State Government has welcomed the initiative with enthusiasm. Mr. Jimoh Wasiu, Director of Applications and Software Development at the State Ministry of Science and Technology, described the programme as a necessary leap forward for the state’s education system.
“Regardless of us being a third-world community, everyone should key into this. Introducing our children to artificial intelligence at this level is one of the best investments we can make for their future,” he said.
Wasiu also highlighted AI’s real-world applications in agriculture, security, and communication, citing the example of image recognition for poultry disease detection and voice recognition for security systems, and pledged the Lagos State Government’s support, offering technical resources and collaboration to ensure the programme’s success.
Mrs. Olatoju Ajoke, representing Lagos State Education District V, added that the programme is in line with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s agenda for education innovation. “The Experience AI programme is a groundbreaking initiative that aims to equip our students and teachers with the knowledge and skills to thrive in an AI-driven world,” she said.
Calling on stakeholders, from parents to teachers to ministries, to support the initiative, Mrs. Ajoke emphasized the potential of AI to transform education. “This is a significant step toward the Lagos State Government’s goal of preparing students for future challenges,” she affirmed.
Educator: Open Minds Needed as AI Redefines Classrooms
In a fireside chat titled “Why AI Literacy Matters in Nigerian Classrooms,” experienced STEM educator Mr. Solomon Ijishakin called for open-mindedness among teachers toward new technologies. He urged educators to experiment with AI tools and adopt new pedagogical methods, noting that AI is not here to replace teachers but to amplify their ability to educate more efficiently.
Ijishakin commended the local adaptability of the Experience AI programme and its robust educator support system. “The Experience AI programme is not just about skills; it’s about community, innovation, and transformation,” he said. “If we get this right, Nigerian classrooms will no longer be playing catch-up, they’ll be leading the future.”
With NerdzFactory joining a global network of over 20 countries implementing Experience AI, this launch marks the beginning of a new era for Nigerian education, one where students are empowered not just to consume technology, but to shape it.