A total of 135 girls from 27 public secondary schools across Lagos State have created artificial intelligence-driven solutions focused on improving access to education, strengthening student safety and tackling bullying in schools.
The students took part in the inaugural AI Inter-District Secondary School Challenge organised by Tech4Dev under its Tech Girls Drive Advocacy programme, a component of the Women Techsters initiative aimed at equipping young girls with digital skills, technological knowledge and innovation-driven problem-solving abilities.
The challenge introduced students from Lagos Education Districts II and IV to practical applications of artificial intelligence, equipping them with problem-solving skills and encouraging them to use technology to address real-life challenges within their schools and communities.
The competition reached its climax with a grand finale where six finalist teams showcased AI-driven projects focused on improving learning experiences, strengthening student protection systems and promoting a safer school environment.
Speaking at the event, Tech4Dev’s Country Manager for Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa, Abraham Akpan, said the initiative was created to help young girls recognise their potential in shaping the future through technology.
“This challenge was about more than learning Artificial Intelligence. It was about helping young girls see themselves as creators, innovators, and problem-solvers. When girls are given access to the right skills and opportunities, they can build solutions that create real impact in their communities,” he said.
The programme started with advocacy sessions across 31 public secondary schools, after which 27 schools advanced to the competition phase. Each participating school selected five female students from Junior Secondary School 1 to Senior Secondary School 3, who worked with teachers and volunteer mentors to design AI-powered solutions.
At the final stage of the competition, Mende Junior High School emerged as the overall winner with its project, “Learning Without Limits.”
The AI-powered platform was designed to improve educational access for deaf and hard-of-hearing students by transforming classroom notes into sign language videos, simplified visual explanations, subtitles and voice narration.
Coming second was Onike Girls Junior High School with “Onike Girls Alarm Station,” a personal safety application developed to help girls respond to emergencies. The platform features a one-tap emergency alert system and live GPS tracking, providing a way for students to seek assistance, including in locations with limited network connectivity.
Mende Senior High School secured the third position with “SpeakSafe,” an anonymous AI-powered reporting platform that enables students to report bullying incidents while helping schools identify recurring patterns and take timely action.
A participant at the challenge described how the experience changed her understanding of artificial intelligence and its possibilities.
“Before this challenge, I never imagined I could use AI. Working with my team showed me that our ideas matter, and it has inspired me to keep learning and building solutions that can help others,” she said.
Beyond the winning projects, other participating schools developed AI solutions addressing several social issues, including gender-based violence, adolescent health, environmental sustainability, financial literacy, unemployment, educational inequality and social inclusion.
Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs Oni, commended Tech4Dev for creating opportunities that encourage digital learning and innovation among young students.
“Education must continue to evolve to prepare young people for the reality of tomorrow. Initiatives like this provide students with opportunities to develop critical thinking, creativity, and digital skills. We commend Tech4Dev for creating this platform and investing in the future of our girls,” she said.
Tech4Dev noted that the AI Inter-District Secondary School Challenge aligns with its wider commitment to expanding digital skills opportunities for girls in underserved communities through the Women Techsters Programme.
The programme, which operates across 30 African countries, focuses on preparing girls and women for careers in technology, innovation and the digital economy by providing access to training, mentorship and practical learning opportunities.
Through initiatives such as the AI challenge, Tech4Dev said it aims to increase female participation in technology while encouraging young girls to become creators of solutions that address challenges in their communities.