FutureLabs Academy

FutureLabs

FutureLabs Academy

Empowering underserved youth with mobile-first, AI-powered digital skills training to unlock global opportunities and build resilient futures.

Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria

NGA

Hybrid of for-profit and nonprofit

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Peter living in Ikot Ekpene Nigeria, a graduate of the Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic lacks access to quality, job-relevant digital education. Traditional schools rarely teach tech skills, internet access is inconsistent, and mobile learning platforms are often poorly optimized or unaffordable. As a result, talented youth are locked out of the global digital economy, contributing to high unemployment and vulnerability to online scams or misinformation.

FutureLabs is a digital innovation hub equipping underserved youth with practical tech skills for the future of work. We are building an AI-powered Learning Management System (LMS) that offers mobile-first, self-paced digital literacy and upskilling programs in areas like web development, product design, and e-commerce. The LMS includes: Personalized learning journeys with AI tutors. Offline-first modules for low-bandwidth users. Integration with real-world job matching and internship placements. Local language support and culturally relevant content. We also run in-person cohorts and hybrid models in rural and peri-urban areas, ensuring last-mile access.

We primarily serve youth aged 15–35 in low-income or disconnected communities across Nigeria. Many are school dropouts, underemployed graduates, or first-time tech learners. Our programs have: Trained over 500 young people. Helped many alumni land remote jobs or start their own digital businesses. Reduced exposure to online scams by promoting ethical digital work. Empowered female learners and people from rural areas with tools to earn globally. A notable success story: a student who joined with no digital skills now works as a CTO after 3 years of learning and mentoring through FutureLabs. Our alumni can be found here www.futurelabs.ng/alumni