By Stellamaris Ashinze
Slum2School Africa in collaboration with some Nigerian creatives and Google has produced a culturally themed folktale colouring book for children using Gemini, a generative artificial intelligence tool.
A statement made available to newsmen in Lagos on Tuesday said the book aimed to bridge the shortage of early learning materials to primary school pupils in underserved communities.
The Founder of Slum2School Africa, Otto Orondaam, said the initiative was designed to promote early childhood learning and cultural identity among Nigerian children.
Orondaam noted that because access to culturally relevant learning materials remained limited for many children, it would distribute 1000 copies of the book to its target population.
He added that the project sought to address both educational and identity gaps.
According to him, colouring books help develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and concentration, which are essential for children’s cognitive growth.
He added that embedding Nigerian stories in such materials would also foster pride, confidence and a sense of belonging among young learners.
Director, Google West Africa, Olumide Balogun, said the project demonstrated the practical application of artificial intelligence in supporting education and cultural preservation.
Balogun said that Gemini served as a tool to transform ideas from Nigerian creatives into child-friendly illustrations, without replacing their originality.
He said the initiative aligned with Google’s commitment to making technology accessible and useful in solving real-world challenges.
The project featured contributions from popular creatives including Comedian Samuel Animashaun Perry, popularly known as Broda Shaggi, alongside Falz, Tobi Bakre, Tomike Adeoye, VJ Adams and others.
Organisers said the book was developed during an imagination workshop held at Google’s Nigeria office, where participants shared indigenous stories, legends and cultural experiences.
They explained that the narratives were translated into illustrations using Gemini, while the final publication was handled by Inked Memory, a storytelling company.
Perry said his participation was driven by personal experience and a desire to support children lacking access to basic educational tools.
“I know what it means for a child to lack basic learning materials, and this project is a way to give back and support the next generation,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the colouring book features stories such as Queen Moremi, the Walls of Benin, Rivers Niger and Benue, Argungu Fishing Festival and the New Yam Festival.
Slum2School Africa said the books would be distributed as part of “Dream Packs” containing crayons and writing materials to support early learning in underserved communities.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Christiana Fadare
