The Odu’a Investment Foundation has equipped more than 4,500 young people across South-West Nigeria with coding, artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital skills through its Byte Busters Coding Club initiative.

The achievement was highlighted at the second edition of the Byte Busters Showcase 2026, sponsored by the Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of Odu’a Investment Company Limited. The event took place at the University of Ibadan International Conference Centre in Ibadan.

Speaking at the event, Project Director of the Digital Education for Innovation and Economic Development Project, Prof. Seun Kolade, disclosed that the initiative had grown significantly since its maiden showcase in 2025, when it operated in nine centres with approximately 100 pupils.

According to Kolade, the programme now covers 20 centres across 18 local government areas in the six South-West states.

He revealed that more than 220 students participated in this year’s showcase, demonstrating technology-driven projects developed to tackle challenges within their communities.

Among the innovations presented were an AI-powered marketplace designed for local traders, a Yoruba-English translation tool, a tomato farming application, an AI-powered Computer-Based Test platform, an emergency response system, a sign language application and technology solutions aimed at reducing post-harvest losses in maize.

Kolade explained that the initiative seeks to equip young people with the ability to develop technology rather than remain passive consumers of digital products. He emphasised the importance of building local capacity to create and own technological innovations, rather than relying entirely on solutions developed outside Nigeria and Africa.

The Project Director also announced the introduction of a Digital Literacy Training for Teachers programme. The first batch enrolled 72 teachers, of whom 67 successfully completed the training.

He said the train-the-trainer programme is targeting 3,000 teachers by the end of 2026.

Kolade appealed to the six South-West states that own Odu’a Investment Company, corporate organisations, philanthropists and other stakeholders to support the initiative’s expansion. He identified computers, internet connectivity, learning facilities and sustainable funding as key requirements for reaching more beneficiaries.

Also addressing participants, Chairman of the Odu’a Investment Foundation Advisory Council, Ambassador Dr Olatokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu, said the programme was developing the skills and confidence young people need to contribute meaningfully to the digital economy.

She called on the six owner states and corporate partners to strengthen their support, particularly in extending the programme to underserved communities.

Meanwhile, the Group Chairman of Odu’a Investment Company Limited, Dr Tajudeen Kasali, represented by Otunba Osibogun, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to regional development through investments beyond its commercial activities.

He explained that the company’s development priorities also covered education, healthcare and youth empowerment.

According to him, providing young people with relevant skills is essential to establishing productive enterprises, encouraging entrepreneurship and improving the region’s competitiveness in the global economy.

In his opening remarks, the Group Managing Director of Odu’a Investment Company Limited, Abdulrahman Yinusa, highlighted the unequal access to practical digital education, particularly among pupils attending public schools.

He emphasised the importance of building on the South-West’s longstanding commitment to education while ensuring that young people acquire the competencies required to navigate an evolving digital economy.

SOURCE: MSME Africa Online