The first day they entered the only
computer laboratory in Ajegunle, Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area
of Lagos State, to learn coding, they were all very scared to touch the
computer.
computer laboratory in Ajegunle, Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area
of Lagos State, to learn coding, they were all very scared to touch the
computer.
Their fear was not unusual — about 70
per cent of them had never touched a computer before, let alone operated
it. It would be the very first time they would have access to one.
per cent of them had never touched a computer before, let alone operated
it. It would be the very first time they would have access to one.
But six weeks after, the girls had not only learnt how to operate a computer, they had also learnt how to code.
According to a Lagos-based Information
and Communications Technology expert, Mrs. Olusola Oladeji, although
computers are amazing, they cannot think for themselves, hence they
require people to give them instructions.
and Communications Technology expert, Mrs. Olusola Oladeji, although
computers are amazing, they cannot think for themselves, hence they
require people to give them instructions.
“So basically, coding is a list of
step-by-step instructions that get computers to do what you want them to
do. Coding makes it possible for us to create computer software, games,
applications and websites,” she said. “Also, coders, also known as
programmers, are people who write the programmes behind everything we
see and do on a computer.”
step-by-step instructions that get computers to do what you want them to
do. Coding makes it possible for us to create computer software, games,
applications and websites,” she said. “Also, coders, also known as
programmers, are people who write the programmes behind everything we
see and do on a computer.”
Weeks after they have learnt coding, the
girls, dressed in pink tops emblazoned with the words, “This girl can
code,” told our correspondent that programming would be one of the most
delightful things that had happened to them since they were born.
girls, dressed in pink tops emblazoned with the words, “This girl can
code,” told our correspondent that programming would be one of the most
delightful things that had happened to them since they were born.
“I never knew I could be a coder; I didn’t know what it meant until some weeks ago,” said one of the girls, Mmesoma Joseph.
The 13-year-old was one of the 60 girls
in Ajegunle trained by Anuoluwapo Adelakun and Jerry Odili, who are both
2016 fellows of the United States Consulate General-sponsored
Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative in Lagos.
in Ajegunle trained by Anuoluwapo Adelakun and Jerry Odili, who are both
2016 fellows of the United States Consulate General-sponsored
Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative in Lagos.
The fellowship, a year-long programme,
was designed to enable 20 Nigerian youths to develop their leadership
skills and implement projects that have social impact.
was designed to enable 20 Nigerian youths to develop their leadership
skills and implement projects that have social impact.
Adelakun and Odili, who were on the same
team, said they both had passion for the education of the girl child,
hence when they were to choose which project to work on during their
fellowship year, it was not difficult for them to choose to train young
girls on ICT.
team, said they both had passion for the education of the girl child,
hence when they were to choose which project to work on during their
fellowship year, it was not difficult for them to choose to train young
girls on ICT.
“The fact that the future is
technologically-driven is undeniable and girls need to be trained as
they are often the neglected ones,” Odili, a graduate of Computer
Science from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, said.
technologically-driven is undeniable and girls need to be trained as
they are often the neglected ones,” Odili, a graduate of Computer
Science from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, said.
Adelakun said their choice of doing the
training in Ajegunle was because it would be more impactful to train
girls in remote communities who don’t have access to facilities that
girls in nicer neighbourhoods have.
training in Ajegunle was because it would be more impactful to train
girls in remote communities who don’t have access to facilities that
girls in nicer neighbourhoods have.
Ajegunle, a renowned slum in Lagos, has
produced notable footballers and musicians in the country, among whom
are a former striker for the Super Eagles and former coach of the same
team, Samson Siasia; Biodun Obende, who plays professionally in Finland;
a former striker for Watford, England, Odion Ighalo; a former Super
Eagles defender, Taribo West; and Emmanuel Amuneke, a former African
Footballer of the Year.
produced notable footballers and musicians in the country, among whom
are a former striker for the Super Eagles and former coach of the same
team, Samson Siasia; Biodun Obende, who plays professionally in Finland;
a former striker for Watford, England, Odion Ighalo; a former Super
Eagles defender, Taribo West; and Emmanuel Amuneke, a former African
Footballer of the Year.
Ajegunle, which is bordered on the West
by the Apapa Wharf and Tincan, two of the country’s biggest sea ports,
has also produced famous artistes, including Chinagorom Onuoha
(popularly known as African China) and John Asiemo (popularly known as
Daddy Showkey).
by the Apapa Wharf and Tincan, two of the country’s biggest sea ports,
has also produced famous artistes, including Chinagorom Onuoha
(popularly known as African China) and John Asiemo (popularly known as
Daddy Showkey).
And now, with the emergence of young
girls who code, Ajegunle might be on the road to becoming a notable
breeding ground for technology talents like Joseph, who said she would
use her new skill to develop the community in the future.
girls who code, Ajegunle might be on the road to becoming a notable
breeding ground for technology talents like Joseph, who said she would
use her new skill to develop the community in the future.
“I’m very proud because now I can code. I was taught how to code with Python,” said the 13-year-old Imo State indigene.
According to python.org, Python
is a widely used high-level programming language for general-purpose
programming, created in 1991 by a Dutch programmer, Guido van Rossum.
is a widely used high-level programming language for general-purpose
programming, created in 1991 by a Dutch programmer, Guido van Rossum.
Joseph added, “I can use Python to
instruct the computer to perform a particular task and it will do it. I
learnt so many tips during the training. My parents have also encouraged
me to put in my best. I will become one of the best computer
programmers or analysts in the future.
instruct the computer to perform a particular task and it will do it. I
learnt so many tips during the training. My parents have also encouraged
me to put in my best. I will become one of the best computer
programmers or analysts in the future.
“I hope to be one of the greatest ICT
solutions providers in the future. I believe the government needs to
spend more on us girls. I will not allow this environment to influence
me badly as I know that if I improve on my skill, I could be out of this
area and even take my parents out in the future.”
solutions providers in the future. I believe the government needs to
spend more on us girls. I will not allow this environment to influence
me badly as I know that if I improve on my skill, I could be out of this
area and even take my parents out in the future.”
Just like Joseph, Mistura Jamiu, 14,
whose mother is a food vendor, said her plans was to improve on her
coding skill so she could lift her family out of poverty in the future.
whose mother is a food vendor, said her plans was to improve on her
coding skill so she could lift her family out of poverty in the future.
“I’m so happy to have learnt coding
despite the fact that I never knew how to operate a computer before.
It’s a wonderful skill and I will pass it on to my friends and
siblings,” she said.
despite the fact that I never knew how to operate a computer before.
It’s a wonderful skill and I will pass it on to my friends and
siblings,” she said.
Chioma Aladum, 14, said anytime she
remembered her late father and how her mother had been trying to make
ends meet for the family, she was encouraged to do more.
remembered her late father and how her mother had been trying to make
ends meet for the family, she was encouraged to do more.
She said, “I’m proud to be a coder. It
wasn’t easy to learn as I was not proficient at the computer before, but
I believe if you put your heart to learning something, you can learn.
That’s how I became one of the top 20 out of the 60 girls who were
trained.
wasn’t easy to learn as I was not proficient at the computer before, but
I believe if you put your heart to learning something, you can learn.
That’s how I became one of the top 20 out of the 60 girls who were
trained.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity I’ve had
and I’m grateful for it. Computer is going to be a central part of our
lives in the future, so I’m glad I took part in a training that would
enable me to be a part of the future.
and I’m grateful for it. Computer is going to be a central part of our
lives in the future, so I’m glad I took part in a training that would
enable me to be a part of the future.
“My dad is late, my mum is a trader and
I’ve vowed to make my mother proud because she has been trying for us
four children. My dad died when I was a year and six months old.”
I’ve vowed to make my mother proud because she has been trying for us
four children. My dad died when I was a year and six months old.”
Jane Nnadi, 14, used to hate computer, but today, she has also become one of the female coders at Ajegunle.
She said, “I hated computer because I
kept failing the subject in school. I couldn’t even put it on and off. I
was scared each time I saw a computer, always thinking if I touched it,
it would spoil.
kept failing the subject in school. I couldn’t even put it on and off. I
was scared each time I saw a computer, always thinking if I touched it,
it would spoil.
“When this coding training opportunity
came, a friend of mine said I should participate in it and eventually I
did. I’m grateful I did as I found out that computer is very
interesting. Now, all my fears are gone. I can now code.
came, a friend of mine said I should participate in it and eventually I
did. I’m grateful I did as I found out that computer is very
interesting. Now, all my fears are gone. I can now code.
“I’m also very bold now in the class
when it comes to answering questions about computer. I tried developing
some solutions during the training and I will keep on learning so as to
become a great developer. I’ve told my parents to buy me a computer and
they have promised to do so after my Basic Education Certificate
Examination.”
when it comes to answering questions about computer. I tried developing
some solutions during the training and I will keep on learning so as to
become a great developer. I’ve told my parents to buy me a computer and
they have promised to do so after my Basic Education Certificate
Examination.”
Nnadi added that she would use her new skill to benefit her community in the future.
“I will pass on the training to my
friends as we’ve been instructed by Aunty Anu and Uncle Jerry. I see
myself as a world-class coder. I’ve always dreamt of travelling to
places like Brazil, New York and others, so I will work hard to achieve
my dreams as a coder,” she said.
friends as we’ve been instructed by Aunty Anu and Uncle Jerry. I see
myself as a world-class coder. I’ve always dreamt of travelling to
places like Brazil, New York and others, so I will work hard to achieve
my dreams as a coder,” she said.
Fourteen-year-old Juliet Ejim said she
used to be shy before she learnt coding, but now she has overcome
timidity, thanks to her newly-acquired skill.
used to be shy before she learnt coding, but now she has overcome
timidity, thanks to her newly-acquired skill.
She said, “I was extremely shy before,
but once I got the coding skill, it’s like I’m feeling a special kind of
pride in me. It has boosted my self-esteem. I will train others too in
the future, probably they too would have their self-esteem boosted.”
but once I got the coding skill, it’s like I’m feeling a special kind of
pride in me. It has boosted my self-esteem. I will train others too in
the future, probably they too would have their self-esteem boosted.”
Pelumi Ayodele, 15, also never knew how to turn on and turn off a computer before, but that is now a past.
“I’m proud that I was part of those who
were trained how to code in this community. I was not computer literate,
I had never operated a computer before, but the training made me become
who I am today — a coder. I intend to develop various ICT solutions in
the future to benefit humanity,” she said.
were trained how to code in this community. I was not computer literate,
I had never operated a computer before, but the training made me become
who I am today — a coder. I intend to develop various ICT solutions in
the future to benefit humanity,” she said.
Just like Ayodele, Judith Odiri, 15,
said although she never knew how to operate a computer before, she could
now use the Python language to perform many tasks on the computer.
said although she never knew how to operate a computer before, she could
now use the Python language to perform many tasks on the computer.
“In the future, I see myself as one of
the greatest female coders in Nigeria. I want government to bring more
computers to my school so we can all have access to computers,” she
said.
the greatest female coders in Nigeria. I want government to bring more
computers to my school so we can all have access to computers,” she
said.
Also, 16-year-old Anuoluwa Opatola, said she had never seen a computer before, but today she is also a coder.
“I was only taught about computer on the
blackboard, but I never had access to the real device. But now, I can
programme and I’m interested in developing solutions for some of the
world’s problems,” Opatola, whose father works at the Lagos State Waste
Management Agency, said.
blackboard, but I never had access to the real device. But now, I can
programme and I’m interested in developing solutions for some of the
world’s problems,” Opatola, whose father works at the Lagos State Waste
Management Agency, said.
Sixteen-year-old Chianakwana Ebele’s father is a carpenter in the community, while her mother is a petty trader.
Through coding, she said she would bring her family to limelight.
“I’m going to make them proud in the future,” the Anambra State indigene said.
An excited Sarah Sunday, 15, also said she was going to use her new skill to benefit her life, family and the country.
“As the first child, I know I have lots
of responsibilities and I don’t intend to disappoint myself, my family,
my community and Nigeria at large,” she said.
of responsibilities and I don’t intend to disappoint myself, my family,
my community and Nigeria at large,” she said.
Getting girls to code: The challenges
When Adelakun and Odili decided on
training the girls to code, they never knew it would not be that easy,
especially as most of the girls never knew how to operate computers
before.
training the girls to code, they never knew it would not be that easy,
especially as most of the girls never knew how to operate computers
before.
Adelakun, who studied Politics and
International Relations at Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State —
said before the project commenced, she and Jerry took a tour of schools
in the community to select the girls, only to discover that most
schools’ computer laboratories were not equipped.
International Relations at Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State —
said before the project commenced, she and Jerry took a tour of schools
in the community to select the girls, only to discover that most
schools’ computer laboratories were not equipped.
That was when she realised it would be tough to train them how to code.
She said, “Some of the computer labs
were under lock and key; there was one we even entered and we saw a
mortar and a pestle. I found out that the schools and the society as a
whole only encourage our girls to be wife materials, but not innovators.
were under lock and key; there was one we even entered and we saw a
mortar and a pestle. I found out that the schools and the society as a
whole only encourage our girls to be wife materials, but not innovators.
“We then became very interested in the
project because we wanted to catch young girls young, especially those
in the junior secondary classes. We wanted to change the trend and get
more girls to become computer scientists and engineers, bringing them
into a male-dominated industry and showing them that they thrive.”
project because we wanted to catch young girls young, especially those
in the junior secondary classes. We wanted to change the trend and get
more girls to become computer scientists and engineers, bringing them
into a male-dominated industry and showing them that they thrive.”
Odili said other challenges experienced
during the training were that some parents didn’t want their girl
children to be involved, electricity problem and lack of computer
laboratories in the community.
during the training were that some parents didn’t want their girl
children to be involved, electricity problem and lack of computer
laboratories in the community.
He said, “There is only one computer
centre in the whole of Ajegunle community, so getting a place where the
girls could be trained was very hard. We worked it out, anyway, and we
were able to use that only computer centre to train the girls.
centre in the whole of Ajegunle community, so getting a place where the
girls could be trained was very hard. We worked it out, anyway, and we
were able to use that only computer centre to train the girls.
“Thankfully, the girls were positively
responsive even though they didn’t have a background knowledge of how
the computer works. Right now, we are proud to say each of the girls
taught is now proficient at computers; they can operate computers and
they can code. Some of them are now even intermediate coders using the
Python language.”
responsive even though they didn’t have a background knowledge of how
the computer works. Right now, we are proud to say each of the girls
taught is now proficient at computers; they can operate computers and
they can code. Some of them are now even intermediate coders using the
Python language.”
Asked how the girls would sustain their
training, seeing that there are no enough computer laboratories in their
schools and in the community, the duo said they had started a social
enterprise called TechMe.
training, seeing that there are no enough computer laboratories in their
schools and in the community, the duo said they had started a social
enterprise called TechMe.
“It’s a computer laboratory where the
girls can continue to learn coding. They have full access to the
facility and the resources there. By the time they start practising,
they will become experts at coding,” Odili said.
girls can continue to learn coding. They have full access to the
facility and the resources there. By the time they start practising,
they will become experts at coding,” Odili said.
Adelakun added that the top 20 girls who
performed well in the training had been given a Raspberry Pi [a tiny
and affordable computer that can be used to learn programming through
fun, practical projects], courtesy of Python Nigeria, a technology firm.
performed well in the training had been given a Raspberry Pi [a tiny
and affordable computer that can be used to learn programming through
fun, practical projects], courtesy of Python Nigeria, a technology firm.
Both Adelakun and Odili said they hoped
to train more girls in remote communities in the country and even at
Internally Displaced Persons camps in the North-East, where terrorism
has led to the death of over 70,000 persons and displacement of two
million people, including girl children.
to train more girls in remote communities in the country and even at
Internally Displaced Persons camps in the North-East, where terrorism
has led to the death of over 70,000 persons and displacement of two
million people, including girl children.
The duo also called on parents and the government to invest more resources in the development of the girl child in the country.
Adelakun said, “Parents need to
encourage their girls to venture into the science, technology,
engineering and mathematics subjects. Some parents are the ones holding
their girls back. Some still have the notion that girls should only be
trained how to cook well for their husbands, how to manage the home
finances and so on.
encourage their girls to venture into the science, technology,
engineering and mathematics subjects. Some parents are the ones holding
their girls back. Some still have the notion that girls should only be
trained how to cook well for their husbands, how to manage the home
finances and so on.
“What they don’t know is that women are
also fantastic innovators. So, parents need to encourage their
daughters, they shouldn’t hide computers away from them. I suggest that
when girls are growing up, parents should allow them to choose between
doors and trucks or doors and bricks. Don’t enforce it on them. For the
government, it needs to invest heavily in educating the girl child,
especially in ICT, which is the future.
also fantastic innovators. So, parents need to encourage their
daughters, they shouldn’t hide computers away from them. I suggest that
when girls are growing up, parents should allow them to choose between
doors and trucks or doors and bricks. Don’t enforce it on them. For the
government, it needs to invest heavily in educating the girl child,
especially in ICT, which is the future.
“Mark Zuckerberg [Facebook’s founder]
believed enough in Nigeria that he came last year to state this fact.
There are women in technology, but they are not many. There is so much
that they can do. The government should equip schools with computers.
How can a school be teaching computer science and the children have
never seen a computer before? By the time they want to take the West
African Senior School Certificate Examination, for example, how can they
compete with their counterparts from highbrow schools? They will fail
woefully.”
believed enough in Nigeria that he came last year to state this fact.
There are women in technology, but they are not many. There is so much
that they can do. The government should equip schools with computers.
How can a school be teaching computer science and the children have
never seen a computer before? By the time they want to take the West
African Senior School Certificate Examination, for example, how can they
compete with their counterparts from highbrow schools? They will fail
woefully.”
Odili also said the government should
help build computer labs in communities across the country in such a way
that anybody interested in computer could walk in and learn.
help build computer labs in communities across the country in such a way
that anybody interested in computer could walk in and learn.
“Having computer labs in our communities
can help solve the illiteracy problem,” he said. “Let’s educate our
girls and we will empower our nation. They are usually the forgotten
ones when it comes to education and empowerment.”
can help solve the illiteracy problem,” he said. “Let’s educate our
girls and we will empower our nation. They are usually the forgotten
ones when it comes to education and empowerment.”
Meanwhile, the Head of Department,
Education, Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area, Mrs. Fausat
Olanrewaju, said she was hopeful that the training would help the girls
become solution providers to the community in the future.
Education, Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area, Mrs. Fausat
Olanrewaju, said she was hopeful that the training would help the girls
become solution providers to the community in the future.
She said, “The training was awesome for
the girls; it is a plus for the community and the country. I have told
the girls to make use of the training to benefit the community and pass
it on to others.
the girls; it is a plus for the community and the country. I have told
the girls to make use of the training to benefit the community and pass
it on to others.
“There are few girls who are educated in
this community, as you know it is a slum. By virtue of the skill they
have acquired, they have joined the elite and I believe they will
improve the community. We encourage initiatives like this and we will
continue to support them.”
this community, as you know it is a slum. By virtue of the skill they
have acquired, they have joined the elite and I believe they will
improve the community. We encourage initiatives like this and we will
continue to support them.”
Opportunities for girls in ICT
There are vast gains when girls are trained in the ICT sector, according to the United Nations Women.
In its statement titled, “Vast gains for
young women and girls with the right ICT skills and assets” — on the
International Girls in ICT Day on April 26, 2017, the organisation
quoted a 2013 Intel report that enabling internet access for 150 million
women would contribute about $18 billion to the annual Gross Domestic
Products of 144 developing countries.
young women and girls with the right ICT skills and assets” — on the
International Girls in ICT Day on April 26, 2017, the organisation
quoted a 2013 Intel report that enabling internet access for 150 million
women would contribute about $18 billion to the annual Gross Domestic
Products of 144 developing countries.
However, the report said women were at
the risk of losing out on tomorrow’s best ICT job opportunities, whether
in the public or private sector, or as an employee or entrepreneur.
the risk of losing out on tomorrow’s best ICT job opportunities, whether
in the public or private sector, or as an employee or entrepreneur.
The statement said, “This is especially
so within STEM fields. For example, women currently represent only 20
per cent of engineering school graduates and only 11 per cent of
practising engineers. We also know that 25 per cent of women engineers
leave the field after age 30, compared to 10 per cent of men engineers;
and that women receive only seven per cent of venture capital in Silicon
Valley.
so within STEM fields. For example, women currently represent only 20
per cent of engineering school graduates and only 11 per cent of
practising engineers. We also know that 25 per cent of women engineers
leave the field after age 30, compared to 10 per cent of men engineers;
and that women receive only seven per cent of venture capital in Silicon
Valley.
“Current and emerging technology is
fundamentally altering the job market, the type of jobs that will exist
in the future and the skills that will be required for those jobs.
Women’s already low participation in STEM professions, where the new
jobs are expected to be created, put them at risk to lose out even
further.
fundamentally altering the job market, the type of jobs that will exist
in the future and the skills that will be required for those jobs.
Women’s already low participation in STEM professions, where the new
jobs are expected to be created, put them at risk to lose out even
further.
“Estimates show that women will gain
only one STEM-related job for every 20 jobs lost in other areas, whereas
men will gain one new job for every four lost elsewhere.”
only one STEM-related job for every 20 jobs lost in other areas, whereas
men will gain one new job for every four lost elsewhere.”
To tackle these challenges, UN Women
said policy tools and focused programmes were needed to shift priorities
and investments, and to change the stereotypes and perceptions of women
and girls in STEM fields that begin in early childhood.
said policy tools and focused programmes were needed to shift priorities
and investments, and to change the stereotypes and perceptions of women
and girls in STEM fields that begin in early childhood.
It added, “To achieve sustainable
development, we must rethink education, training and learning strategies
to equip young women and girls with the skills required by 21st century
labour markets.
development, we must rethink education, training and learning strategies
to equip young women and girls with the skills required by 21st century
labour markets.
“Enhancing the use of ICTs to empower
women is an explicit target of Sustainable Development Goal 5, which is
to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.”
women is an explicit target of Sustainable Development Goal 5, which is
to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.”
An Abuja software developer and ICT expert, Ms. Bunmi Olagunju-Uche, who spoke to Saturday PUNCH
via LinkedIn, said it was high time the country invested in the
training of girls in technology in order to provide them a better
future.
via LinkedIn, said it was high time the country invested in the
training of girls in technology in order to provide them a better
future.
She said, “When girls learn to code, it
helps them to develop essential skills such as problem solving, logic
and critical thinking. Through coding, they can learn that there’s often
more than one way to solve a problem, and that simpler and more
efficient solutions are often better.
helps them to develop essential skills such as problem solving, logic
and critical thinking. Through coding, they can learn that there’s often
more than one way to solve a problem, and that simpler and more
efficient solutions are often better.
“Learning to code encourages girls to
become creators, not just consumers, of the technology they use. This is
the future and we must key in to it.”
become creators, not just consumers, of the technology they use. This is
the future and we must key in to it.”
