By Grace Alegba
Learntor Foundation, a digital transformation non-governmental organisation, on Wednesday inaugurated the fourth cohort of its TechUp Boys initiative with visits, orientation and registration exercises in some secondary schools in Agege, Lagos.
The TechUp Boys initiative is designed to educate and equip underserved boys with technology and soft skills needed for the future of work.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inauguration commenced with the visits to Dairy Farm Senior Secondary School and Sanngo Senior Secondary School in Education District I, both in Agege.
Following interactive sessions with Senior Secondary School Two (SS2) students in both schools, online registration began in preparation for a two-week boot camp.
Speaking during the inauguration, the Founder of Learntor Foundation, Mrs Mercy George-Igbafe, underscored the importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills in today’s digital economy.
She said the TechUp Boys programme was aimed at equipping underserved male students in Lagos with AI and digital skills to improve their employability and economic prospects.
According to her, the initiative seeks to economically empower boys from disadvantaged communities by exposing them to technology and helping them build positive digital footprints.
“Our goal is to help young boys develop tech skills in AI and understand the importance of maintaining a positive digital presence.
“We want them to say yes to tech, and no to crime. That is the vision behind the programme,” she said.
George-Igbafe disclosed that Microsoft had supported the initiative with 300 free licences to enable participants acquire AI skills relevant to the future of work.
She said the programme, launched in 2023, had impacted about 13,200 boys across its first three cohorts.
According to her, the fourth cohort will target all SS2 boys in Education District I of Lagos State.
She noted that the district has 39 public secondary schools, adding that, thousands of students would benefit from the current phase of the programme.
Highlighting the programme’s impact, George-Igbafe cited the success story of a 15-year-old participant, Damilare, whose online visibility improved significantly after receiving digital branding training.
She said the student, a graphic designer, generated more than seven million impressions on X and increased his followers from 69 to several thousands.
“His life has changed because many people now patronise his services. He has become a sought-after graphic designer,” she said.
She added that some beneficiaries had strengthened their professional presence on LinkedIn and received employment-related enquiries from potential employers.
George-Igbafe expressed optimism that the AI training would position participants for future opportunities and enable organisations to identify and recruit talented youths.
Miss Titilayo Omotoso, Vice Principal of Dairy Farm Senior Secondary School, urged students to take the training seriously.
She described the TechUp Boys Programme as a positive initiative that would redirect students from negative activities to productive use of technology.
Omotoso said the programme would help participants acquire digital skills, earn legitimate income and develop themselves positively.
She urged the organisers to sustain and expand the initiative, noting that the school would support the programme through its ICT facilities to enable more students benefit from it.
Also speaking, Mrs Adenaike Jokotade, Director of Co-Curricular Science and Technology, Lagos State Education District I, said the TechUp Boys Programme would channel the energy of young boys into productive ventures through technology.
According to her, the initiative has the potential to reduce youth involvement in crime, drug abuse and cultism by equipping participants with valuable skills for personal and national development.
One of the students, Udenwoke Richard of Dairy Farm Senior Secondary School, said he hoped to use the knowledge gained from the programme to create legitimate wealth for himself, his family and his community.
NAN reports that students of Sanngo Senior Secondary School also expressed optimism that AI skills would enhance their future prospects and overall well-being.
Similarly, Mrs Ghanni Omolade, Vice Principal I, and Mrs Olayinka Ayeni, Vice Principal II, both of Sanngo Senior Secondary School, highlighted the importance of technology skills, describing them as tools for innovation, entrepreneurship and wealth creation.(NAN)(www.nanews.ng)
Edited by Francis Onyeukwu
