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…As 5,604 students benefit from Coding and Digital Literacy Programme
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has reaffirmed his administration’s determination to transform the state into a hub of technological innovation through sustained investment in youth-focused digital education initiatives.
Speaking at the grand exhibition of the Kwara Coding and Digital Literacy Programme (KCDLP), themed “Kwara Futures: Empowering a Digitally Ready Generation,” the governor expressed satisfaction with the growing interest and success of young Kwarans in the tech ecosystem.
“Our administration is unwavering in its commitment to transform Kwara into a beacon of technological excellence and empower our youth to lead the digital revolution,” AbdulRazaq said. “By investing in cutting-edge infrastructure and fostering a supportive ecosystem, we are equipping our brilliant young techies with the tools to turn bold ideas into global realities.”
He noted that the state’s strategic focus on innovation is beginning to yield visible results.
“For the first time in our history, Kwara is etching its name on the world map of digital startups, thanks to the innovative spirit of our entrepreneurs and the strategic policies we’ve implemented,” the governor added.
The event, organised by the Office of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Digital Innovation, Hon. Kayode Ishola, showcased creative projects by students who benefited from the state’s digital literacy initiative.
In his welcome address, Hon. Ishola described the exhibition as “a testament to visionary leadership, inclusive governance, and the limitless potential of our young people.”
He explained that the programme was not merely an educational experiment but a strategic intervention aimed at preparing children for the digital economy.
“The governor envisioned a Kwara where every child, regardless of background or geography, can learn, create, and compete globally. That vision — that digital literacy is the new basic literacy — continues to guide our journey today,” he said.
Since its inception in 2024, the KCDLP has trained 5,604 students across 50 public schools in all 16 local government areas of the state, engaging over 120 instructors, including NYSC members, trained teachers, and digital volunteers.
According to Ishola, students are now designing animations, apps, and smart systems from various parts of the state. “Girls from Bishop Smith Memorial College, Ilorin, developed a learning app for the visually impaired,” he revealed. “A team of our students also won the 2025 Kids Innovation Challenge with an AgriTech Mini Dashboard, a smart agriculture solution gaining national attention.”
He further outlined the next phase of the initiative, which includes expanding the programme to 100 schools and 10,000 students by mid-2026, establishing Innovation Learning Centres across senatorial districts, training more teachers through the Digital Educators Fellowship, and launching ‘Girls Code Kwara’ — a project aimed at achieving 60% female participation in tech by 2026.
At the exhibition, United Junior Secondary School, Ilorin, emerged overall winner with a ₦1 million cash prize. Ilorin Grammar School and Government Girls’ Day Secondary School, Pakata, came second and third, winning ₦500,000 and ₦250,000 respectively.
Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, commended the governor for prioritising education more than any administration in recent history. He said the programme is designed to give young people a fair chance to compete in the global digital economy.
Other dignitaries, including the Commissioner for Communications, Hon. Bola Olukoju; Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology, Hon. Damilola Yusuf Adelodun; and Commissioner for Social Development, Hajia Mariam Nnafatima Imam, all lauded the initiative for transforming public schools into hubs of innovation.
Funmilayo Obi, a representative of Nigerian Communication Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), commended the governor for “believing in young people and planting seeds of innovation that are fast becoming a forest of progress.”
The exhibition, which featured 10 schools showcasing projects such as smart attendance systems, expense tracking apps, weather forecasting tools, and digital learning solutions, underscored Kwara’s growing reputation as a rising force in Nigeria’s digital revolution.
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