One year ago, the Board of Odu’a Investment Company Limited (OICL) launched Project DEFINED, a digital literacy initiative under their non-profit social impact arm, the Odu’a Investment Foundation. Project DEFINED, which stands for Digital Education for Innovation and Economic Development, aims to equip students in public schools across South-West Nigeria with essential digital skills to thrive in a world driven by technology. Since its inception, the project has made significant strides in preparing young minds for the digital age.
In a virtual event on October 30, 2024, OICL’s board members, the Odu’a Foundation’s Advisory Council, the project stakeholders, and members of the public convened to celebrate the project’s achievements after 1 year of initiation. The event also marked the inauguration of the “College of Mentors”, a group of 12 accomplished professionals from Nigeria and the diaspora dedicated to guiding young learners through their digital journeys.
A major initiative of the DEFINED Project is the Byte Busters after-school Coding Club, an initiative created to make computing accessible to young minds, aiming to dispel the myth that technology is inherently difficult by providing students in public secondary schools with hands-on experience in coding, and essential computer skills. The coding club has over 1,000 club members with 662 fully onboarded participants, spread across six local government areas in Oyo, Osun, Ogun, and Ekiti states. The initiative hopes to expand to all 137 local government areas of south west Nigeria.
Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu, Chairperson of the advisory council, Odu’a Investment Foundation and daughter of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, lauded the vision of the DEFINED project. “The future belongs to those who are digitally savvy. It is my hope that this initiative is the seed for our own Silicon Valley,” she remarked. She also likened the project to one that reinforces the position of the South-West as a pace-setting region in Nigeria. “This project ties into the spirit of forward-looking selflessness that built our region into the pace-setter it is today,”
Dr. Dosumu expressed her gratitude to the College of Mentors and praised Professor Seun Kolade’s leadership who has worked tirelessly at no cost to the foundation by rallying so many people into the foundation, from the recruitment of project officers on the project to the nominations of professionals into the college of mentors to be inaugurated, emphasizing that “the community spirit of the Yoruba people lives on through this project.”
The College of Mentors, who are accomplished figures in fields such as technology, data science, and cybersecurity, include:
- Mr. Toye Soladoye – Chief Technology Officer, Union Bank of Nigeria
- Dr. Ayodeji Ibitoye – University of Greenwich, United Kingdom
- Dr. Abiodun Egbetokun – Senior Lecturer, De Montfort University, United Kingdom
- Dr. Babatunde Olorisade – Head of Operations, Edgestride Ltd
- Mr. Femi Adeleke – Director, 3DMA Technologies Limited
- Mr. Joshua Olufemi – Chief Executive Officer, Dataphyte UK
- Dr. Adebunmi Odefunso – Data Science Manager, Athenahealth
- Dr. Fola Bolaji – Manager, Cybersecurity & IT, DeepHow
- Dr. Adebowale Owoseni – Senior Lecturer, De Montfort University, United Kingdom
- Mr. Michael Toyinbo – Director, Chowdeck
- Mr. Ayoluwa Oyewo – Senior Software Engineer, Spearbit Labs
- Mr. Ibukun Atoro – Digital Transformation Manager / Managing Partner, Oyo Tech Hub
Speaking at the event, Otunba Bimbola Ashiru, The Chairman of Odu’a Investment Company Limited expressed pride in how the program is a continuation of the legacy of our founding fathers. “In just one year, the coding club has made incredible strides. We’re witnessing a continuation of legacy of empowerment started by our fore fathers. This time, it is through digital education. I appreciate the Advisory Council’s commitment and dedication, especially for the fact that they are doing this service without collecting a dime.”
Odu’a Investment Company Limited’s Group Managing Director, Abdurahman Yinusa, also addressed the attendees, highlighting the vision behind DEFINED and comparing it the historic free mass education propagated by Chief Obafemi Awolowo. “When free education was introduced, many thought it a pipe dream; history has proven otherwise. Today, our commitment to a digitally literate South-West reflects that same forward-thinking mindset. Together, we will equip our youth to adapt to an ever-changing digital landscape.”
During the event, Professor Seun Kolade, the accomplished project director of DEFINED project, thanked the board of OICL and the advisory council for their extensive support and dedication in ensuring the success of the project. In his address, he announced an upcoming Project Showcase, where students will present capstone projects they have built with skills acquired through the Byte Busters Coding Club. Kolade also shared expansion plans, noting that there are ongoing conversations with the relevant stakeholders to establish Byte Busters centres in Ondo and Lagos states, in addition to the current locations in Oyo, Osun, Ogun, and Ekiti.
He also shared his excitement for the impact of the project and acknowledged the tireless efforts of the project officers Temilorun Okediji and Yinka Babalola. “It’s a privilege to work with these dedicated professionals, and our goal now is to expand into Ondo and Lagos states.”
The virtual celebration was also marked by testimonials from Byte Busters, who shared the transformative impact of digital literacy on their lives. Emmanuel Israel, a participant, said, “I’ve learned so much. From knowing little about computers, I’ve progressed to creating projects, quizzes, and even multiplayer games.” Another participant, Abdulganiyy Abdulhaqq, shared his pride in creating educational games that helps children learn alphabets and working with his team to win prizes for innovative projects.