Students, teachers, and graduates gather at American Space to explore how smart technology can solve everyday problems
The excitement was palpable last Friday morning at American Space, Abuja, as dozens of young people filed into the venue, clutching digital gadgets and chatting about their latest tech creations. For three weekends, these secondary school students, graduates, and teachers had been learning what might have seemed like magic just a few years ago: how to build their own intelligent computer programs.
The “Innovative Lab: AI for All” program organised by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) with support from the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, wrapped up with project presentations that showcased what happens when young Nigerian minds meet cutting-edge technology.
Breaking Down Barriers
“In the past we say it’s a future program, but the future has come to us now,”
— Engr. (Mrs) Okobi Ololade
Her words captured the spirit of the event: this wasn’t about preparing for some distant future, it was about equipping people for the challenges of today.
Despite its name, the Society of Women Engineers welcomed all genders into the training. Boys participated fully in the learning process, but on presentation day, it was the young women who confidently took the stage to showcase their innovations.
“The name of the organisation is Society of Women Engineers, but actually it’s for all,”
— Engr. Stella Osuchukwu, Project Director
While the training was inclusive, the final showcase reflected the particular growth in confidence and leadership among the female participants, an outcome the organisers quietly celebrated.
From Fear to Understanding
The program’s impact was perhaps most visible among teachers, especially those who initially feared that AI might displace them.
“Most teachers are afraid,” said Neke Gloria of GSS Gosa.
“They thought it was coming to take their place. But we discovered it’s actually here to support us.”
By the end of the training, Gloria and her colleagues had built a practical tool: an AI-powered system to help teachers design lesson plans more efficiently. Rather than replacing them, the tool would help streamline preparation, leaving teachers free to focus on teaching.
“The teacher will still go to teach,” she added. “This just helps us plan and organise what we are going to teach.”
Students Taking Charge
The students didn’t just learn about AI, they built with it. Ume Kela, a student from Holy Family College, Kujing, developed a smart security system that uses colour recognition to control access, technology she explained with calm confidence.
“If we use green objects, the door will open and you’ll be granted permission. Any other colour won’t be permitted,” she said.
“You can even design your teaching machine for facial recognition.”
Students created their own AI assistants, programs that could be installed on phones, synced with calendars, and used for daily tasks.
“They built their own assistants, which you can access via a link and install on your own phone,”
— Engr. Osuchukwu
Government Recognition
The event caught the attention of Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). Abdullahi Abubakar Aliyu, a legal officer representing the Director General, addressed the gathering.
“What I’ve seen here is remarkable,” he said, before sharing how his own career in law began when a lecturer persuaded his parents to support his passion.
“Allow nature God to show them the path. Just help create the enabling environment,” he urged parents and educators.
Earlier in the program, Mrs. Chinyere Igwegbe had reinforced a similar idea that creativity isn’t bound to tech alone.
“Whether you’re an engineer or a fashion designer, you are creating something.”
Building Local Solutions
While the AI tools introduced during the program had global roots, the emphasis was squarely on local relevance.
“We are teaching them how to create theirs,” said Osuchukwu.
“So even when there are malware attacks or unauthorised access, they know how to stop it.”
This focus on building not just consuming tech reflects a deeper mission: ensuring that Nigerians can shape their own technological future.
What’s Next?
The program trained 42 secondary school students, 20 teachers, and 16 university graduates from across the Federal Capital Territory. But more important than numbers was the transformation in mindset.
What began as a curiosity-driven exploration ended with students and teachers alike speaking confidently about designing tools for real-world impact.
“My expectation is that they continue building solutions that solve real-world problems,” said Osuchukwu.
“We want to ensure we’re on the global radar, present in the conversation about AI and peace.”
By demystifying what once seemed distant and complex, the “AI for All” initiative planted a seed of confidence, creativity, and ownership.
As one participant summarised:
“It’s a model built by humans to carry out activities easier, faster, and more efficiently.”
In that simple sentence lay the program’s biggest achievement: making tomorrow’s technology not only understandable, but usable by today’s young minds.
