Future Today Edutech Hub (FuTEduH)

Engr. Wasiu Oyedepo, the Team Lead is a highly motivated and experienced Engineer with over 20 years of expert proficiency in directing, organizing and administering industrial, STEM and research programmes. Skilled in identifying and supervising innovative projects in the areas of  Gamified Education, STEM, IoT, Renewable Energy Production, Design and Manufacturing etc. He is regarded for the ability to deliver outstanding results with the highest degree of service and professionalism. Specialties: Gamification, STEM, IoT, AI, ML, Biodiesel Production, Design and Manufacturing, Production Management, Simulation, Teaching & Research etc.

Wasiu serves as a Branch General Secretary of NASFAT and a committee member of NASFAT Lagos Zone 1. Through these positions he attracts the funding opportunity to run joint Boot camps between FuTEduH and NASFAT to elevate opportunities for all people, especially those who are traditionally left behind.

FuTEduH is committed to provide quality learning of “Gamified-Education” to elevate opportunities for all people, especially those who are traditionally left behind: girls-and-young women to effectively transition from education to employment. We are presently working six peri-urban communities of Lagos State (Owode-Ajegunle, Ikorodu, Igbogbo, Mowo-Nla, Igbogbo and Owutu).

Our Gamified-Education (solution) utilizes MIT-Scratch etc. to implement the report from World Bank that “New technologies have the potential to disrupt education for the better”, claiming “At the classroom level, machine learning technology can enhance the effectiveness of teachers and can allow students to learn at their own pace.”

This will positively change lives contributing to lower youth-unemployment rate to that of adults that would translate to a 10 to 20% increase in Africa’s GDP, by Creating 25-Million Jobs and Equipping 50-Million Youth (AfDB 2016-2025).

Also assist “to establish a strong convergence between technology, economic development and governance” in Lagos.

FuTEduH is committed to provide quality learning opportunities of “Gamified-Education”  to elevate opportunities for all people, especially those who are traditionally left behind: girls and young women to effectively transition from education to employment. 

Our work will help actualizeAfDB 2016-2025 Strategy of lowering the youth unemployment rate to that of adults that would translate to a 10 to 20% increase in Africa’s GDP, by Creating 25 Million Jobs and Equipping 50 Million Youth.

The commitment of The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu “to establish a strong convergence between technology, economic development and governance” to serve 17.5-million Lagos Population are major factors contributing to the problem relating to our solution.

We are at present working with over fifty participants in six peri-urban communities in Lagos State with a 61% Registered Female in 1year.

Our trainees have expressed confidence that they are better equipped to access and create good jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities for themselves.

Our overall Objective is aimed at the fulfillment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (UNSDG) 4 on equitable education and skills development, UNSDG 5 on Gender Equality, UNSDG 8 on inclusive growth, productive employment and decent work for all and UNSDG1 on ending poverty.

FuTEduH guides students to form collaborative Gamified-Educational gangs to explore the use of MIT-Scratch, Stempedia-PictoBlox and NI-Labview to elevate opportunities for all people, especially those who are traditionally left behind: girls and young women to effectively transition from education to employment.

We respond to relevant market needs by investing in open-access resources adapted to local-contexts and curricula as prescribed by UNESCO (Facing Forward: Schooling for Learning in Africa)

We engage our Gamified-Educational gangs to explore at their own pace the potentials of Games (new-technologies) to disrupt education for the better, (rather-than-explain) using machine learning technology at the classroom level that enhances the effectiveness of teachers. They turn facts into visible action in the simplest, sustainable, collaborative and most beautiful way possible to make knowledge acquisition a joy.

To achieve our purpose of improving lives and transforming the African continent we run “code to learn” classes and boot camps aimed at developing Gamified skills for marginalized students in our hub and also collaborates with community based (#NASFATKIDSCANCODE), to offer same to their members most especially girls and young women.

We aim to ensure that all of our students have an exceptional and distinctive experience while at the Learning Hub.

FuTEduH is guiding all people, especially those who are traditionally left behind: Girls, Young Women and the vulnerable populations of school age to Strengthen their competencies, particularly in STEM and digital literacy, for effectively transition from education to employment.

We are working in six peri-urban communities (Owode Ajugunle, Ikorodu, Owutu, Igbogbo, Imota, Mowo Nla) in Lagos State in collaboration with community based organisation (e.g NASFAT), government Ministry and Institution with a 61% Registered Female in 1year. 

We engage learners to Gamify their Educational needs to aid assimilation with a simple, sustainable collaborative platform at a reduced cost. Through the deployment of Gamification-technology ( MIT-Scratch, Steampedia-PictoBlox, NI-Labview) to turn facts into visible action in the simplest, sustainable , collaborative and most beautiful way possible to make  knowledge acquisition a joy. Our Gamified-Educational gangs explore at their own pace the potentials of Games (new technologies) to disrupt education for the better, rather than explain using machine learning technology at the classroom level that enhances the effectiveness of teachers.

We aim to ensure that all of our students have an exceptional and distinctive experience while at the Learning Hub.

World Bank reported "learning poverty" is responsible for inability to read a basic story at the age of 10 for as many as 80% of children's in some African-countries.

FuTEduH engages our Gamified-Educational gangs to explore at their own pace the potentials of Games (new-technologies) to disrupt education for the better,( rather-than-explain) using machine learning technology at the classroom level that enhances the effectiveness of teachers as proposed by the World Bank.

This elevates opportunities for all people, especially those who are traditionally left behind:, girls and young women to effectively transition from education to employment.

The story of FuTEduH started with requests from satisfied parents and students.

Hablbulahi-Family is my low income neighbor. The family approached me to run a refresher-course for three of their children. The most senior child was about to sit for his first school-leaving-certificate examination and the family cannot afford to pay the standard price for an extra teacher. As neighbor, I obliged and rendered the assistance as requested. He gained admission into the family’s choice school in flying colors. Since then the Mother took it upon herself to impress on me to become an eduprenueur. She appoints herself as my brand-ambassador.

Alhaji Nurain-Saka is a retired-grandfather. We worship in the same mosque. As a lifelong-learner, he requested for a teacher to run a refresher-course for him in ICT. Based on the encouragement of Mrs. Habibulahi, I volunteered myself. He progress very fast and enjoyed the classes to the amazement of his grandchildren. This made the grandchildren (four girls) to enroll for same service.

I resigned from my position in January-2019 to startup FuTEduH to elevate opportunities for all people, especially those who are traditionally left behind to Gamify their Educational needs to aid-assimilation with simple, sustainable collaborative-platform at a reduced-cost.

According to MIT-Solve 132-million girls worldwide are currently out of school. Of these girls, 16-million will never set foot in a classroom. However, if every girl received 12-years of quality education, women’s lifetime earnings could increase by up to $30-trillion globally. 

I Lives and works in Owode-Ajegunle Ikorodu Road Lagos, a low-income sub-urban community. The few government educational institution available in the community cannot elevate opportunities for all people in primary and post primary, turning the community to a traditionally left behind one. I worked as a STEM teacher in one of the community school, during which I utilized my knowledge to commercialize projects executed by students. The commercialization served twin purpose: it shows the students the commercial value of the knowledge they acquired and also relived the school management of sourcing for scares funds to equip our workshop. Through this many students and parents are convinced I can help elevates opportunities for all people, especially those who are traditionally left behind actualize their dreams. 

FuTEduH, is my social enterprise to positively impact on my neighborhood. 

I am a highly motivated and experienced Engineer with over 20 years of expert proficiency in directing, organizing and administering industrial, STEM and research programmes. I am Skilled in identifying and supervising innovative projects in the areas of Gamified-Education, STEM, IoT, Renewable-Energy-Production, Design and Manufacturing etc. I am well regarded for my ability to deliver outstanding results with the highest degree of service and professionalism.

I worked as a STEM-teacher, latter school-principal in one of the community school within my locality, during which I utilized my knowledge to commercialize projects executed by students. The commercialization served twin purpose: shows the students the commercial value of the knowledge they acquired and also relived the school management of sourcing for scares funds to equip our workshop. Through this many students and parents are convinced I can help elevates opportunities for all people, especially those who are traditionally left behind actualize their dreams to obtain quality-education.

Furthermore, I have worked as a Principal-Project-Engineer with an Automation firm with responsibility to supervise innovative projects in the areas of Gamified-Education, IoT, Renewable-Energy-Production, Design-and-Manufacturing etc.

I am at present the Branch General Secretary of a faith based organisation in my locality, NASFAT and a committee member of NASFAT Lagos Zone 1. I previously served as Education Secretary of the Group and mentored more than ten indigent students of secondary and tertiary institution to win the society’s national scholarship.

Through these positions I attract the opportunity to run joint Boot camps between FuTEduH and NASFAT.

As a start-up educational institution offering innovative Gamified Educational curriculum, i have faced the following adversities, persevere and transform obstacles into opportunities:

1. Insufficient enrolment to cover cost:

I have attracted a strong outreach, public engagement, collaboration and funding with a community faith based groups NASFAT through my position as Branch Secretary and chairman Zonal committee to organize joint boot camp. Over thirty (30) members of the society from six peri-urban communities participated in the boot camp.

2. Payment default due to low income of parents:

To attract brilliant students from low income families, we offer the Aaro  finance system. The Habibullahi and Adekoya families are example of such beneficiaries.

3. Lack of qualified trained Teachers with requisite skills in gamified technology:

I Collaborate in Online Groups such “Teaching with Scratch, a Facebook group by ScratchEd Team at HGSE”. I leverage this to attract experts from across the globe to develop requisite materials. Example is the remix of our project: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/408221283/embed . Furthermore I have a verified teachers account with MIT-Scratch Group.

4. Covid-19 Pandemic:

In response to the disruption caused by the Covid-19, I #unlearn, #relearn, #Upskilling #Digitalskills by participating in many remote activities.

As the Basic Technology Teacher in Muslims United Schools (Secondary Section), I utilized my knowledge to commercialize projects executed by students. The fund raised was used to procure essential equipments for our workshop. The commercialisation served twin purpose of showing the students the commercial value of the knowledge they acquired and also relived the school management of sourcing for scares funds to equip our workshop. The school management rewarded me with a promotion to the office of School Principal.

While serving as Education Secretary of the NASFAT Group in my locality (Owode Ajegunle) I mentored more than ten indigent students of secondary and tertiary institution to win the society’s national scholarship. This helps actualize their dreams to obtain quality education that increase their earning.

In recognition of using my position to elevates opportunities for all people, especially those who are traditionally left behind, the society has continue to appoint me as a member of the Branch Executive and Zonal Committee. I am at present the Branch General Secretary.

Not applicable

FuTEduH innovatively guides all people, especially those who are traditionally left behind to Gamifiy their Educational-curriculum needs as an improved variant of the Code Lagos Initiative of the Lagos State Government.

We coordinate unique Gamified-Educational gangs to explore at their own pace the potentials of Games (new technologies) to disrupt education for the better, (rather than explain) using machine-learning technology at the classroom level that enhances the effectiveness of teachers, improve daily lesson planning and delivery, foster collaboration, and support long-term development.

Our Gamified-Educational gangs examine verified-facts that are relevant to market needs by investing in open-access resources adapted to local-contexts and curricula as advised by UNESCO. They archive this in a fun filled manner through deployment of technology to turn these facts into visible action (Games) {change that creates} in the simplest, sustainable, collaborative and most beautiful way possible to make knowledge acquisition a joy. {a new dimension of performance}.

We take a unique, cohesive, inclusive and personalized approach to enhancing the student experience - one that encompasses all subjects, all modes of learning, all student services, a clear improvement over teaching of coding as a single subject practiced under Code Lagos Initiative  of the Lagos State Government.

Based on this solution, our principal initiator is in the the Distributor category of the TEF 2020 Program, the flagship program of the Tony Elumelu Foundation.

This elevate opportunities for all people, especially those who are traditionally left behind: girls-and-young women to effectively transition from education to employment. 

FuTEduH innovatively guides all people, especially those who are traditionally left behind: girls and young women to Gamify their Educational curriculum needs to make them (learners) assimilate more (Immediate output) with an easy, sustainable and simple collaboration platform that is also fun to use.

We coordinate unique Gamified-Educational gangs to explore at their own pace the potentials of Games (new technologies) to disrupt education for the better, (rather than explain) using machine learning technology at the classroom level that enhances the effectiveness of teachers, improve daily lesson planning and delivery, foster collaboration, and support long-term development.

Our theory of change follows scientifically sound standard emphasized by educational pioneer Seymour Papert: Using comes before understanding. 

Our pre–course survey of participant at our joint Boot camp (#NASFATKIDSCANCODE)  with our partner NASAFT Lagos Zone 1, revealed that 91.3% of participants were unable to code using our base Technology, MIT Scratch. The coding blocks of MIT Scratch Software are designed like LEGO bricks, and was designed and developed by MIT Media Lab for learning through exploring, experimenting, and tinkering.

During post-course review; most of students claimed that the program has:

• Increased their Learning Time.
• Increase Leadership Effectiveness

They also view the program to have positively

• Increase Family and Community Engagement.

We earned two Facebook Badges: Visual Story Teller and Conversation starter for three consecutive months in 2019 via Peer review of projects carried out by code-to-learn students in our hub posted on “Teaching with Scratch, a Facebook group by ScratchEd Team at HGSE” 

We are currently serving fifty-five(55) students in six peri-urban communities (Owode-Ajegunle, Ikorodu, Igbogbo,Mowo-Nla, Imota, Owutu) in Lagos State with a 61% Registered Female. These include Gamified-Educational gangs taking classes in our hub and those receiving training in partnership with a community based faith organization NASFAT, Lagos Zone 1.

Based on the positive report from our collaboration program with NASFAT, Lagos Zone 1, and all the other elements, We are to scale up to reach an estimated Two-Thousand Five (2,500) students Nationwide courtesy of the office of National Empowerment Secretary of the society in the next one year.

We are developing joint products and programs with the University of Maiduguri (Prof. Mohammed Dauda, Department of Mechanical Engineering) to enhance our training with 3D-Robotics, Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligent, Machine Learning and others. We plan to implement National Ideathons targeting Ten-thousand (10,000) Students in the next five years, with a minimum 80% Female population.  Furthermore we look forward to form partners with other solve community to scale up to Tanzania, Uganda, USA, Portugal and Brazil.

Through these we hope to elevate opportunities for all people, especially those who are traditionally left behind girls and young women to effectively transition from education to employment and birth Gamified Robotics Gangs (MSME) that are better equipped to access and create good jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities for themselves

We plan to elevate opportunities for at-least Twelve-Thousand Five-Hundred (12,500) students’ competencies, particularly in STEM and digital literacy, especially those who are traditionally left behind: girls-and-young women to effectively transition from education to employment and birth Gamified-Robotics-Gangs (MSME) that are better equipped to access and create good jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities for themselves in Five years.

This will be our contribution to actualize AfDB Strategy of lowering the youth unemployment rate to that of adults that would translate to a 10 to 20% increase in Africa’s GDP, by Creating 25 Million Jobs and Equipping 50 Million Youth (2016-2025).

In the next year, we will inaugurate our present Alumni Network online. Also implement joint-scale-up of our Gamified-Educational Gangs with NASFAT and University of Maiduguri Nationwide. To archive this amid the Covid-19 pandemic, we will strengthen our remote training capabilities; empower our present Fifty-five (55) Alumni with Game Development enterprise (MSME) under Rent-to-Own Buyer or Aaro agreement. We will scale-up by appointing them to mentor remotely the next set of Students under our joint National project with NASFAT. Each Alumnus will be guided to mentor Fifty Students in the next year to archive a minimum Two-Thousand Five-Hundred Students. The First Alumni will receive further training in AI, ML and 3D-Robotics with special focus on the use of Local Languages e.g. Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo.

This will be implemented under our joint National project with University of Maiduguri and will involve enriching our curriculum through international collaboration e.g. WHO, UNESCO, World Bank etc.

As we scale-up our impact in the next five year we need to upturn the following barriers:

A) Financial:

• Funds to strengthen (Hardware, Software subscription) our Hub for remote learning (on Microsoft Team and Azure, Zoom, AWS, Slack etc.) in compliance with Covid-19 Protocols.
• Funds to empower (Hardware, Software subscription) our fifty-five Alumni with Game Development enterprise (MSME).
• Overhead Cost of remote workers.
• Cost of Rent and Utilities

B) Technical

• Hardware, Software subscription to strengthen our Hub remote learning capacities (on Microsoft Team and Azure, Zoom, AWS, Slack etc.).
• Hardware, Software subscription to empower our fifty-five Alumni with Game Development enterprise (MSME).

C) Cultural:

• Securing parental permission for girls and young women to participant in our Gamified-Education gangs as mentors and students.

D) Market:

• Securing patronage/ collaboration with international organizations with messages to translate to Local Languages and Robotics e.g. WHO, UNESCO.
• Securing adoption of our Gamified-Education Gags by relevant government agencies.

We plan to overcome these barriers as follows

A) Financial:

• We have successfully completed the application assessment and accepted into the Disruptor category of the TEF 2020 Program. If we successfully scale prerequisite training we will receive seed capital of $5,000.

• Also we have successfully submitted our proposal titled: “Future.Today Interactive code to learn online series during and After Covid-19 Pandemic” to ISDB TRANSFORM FUND 2020 - INNOVATIVE IDEAS WITH PROOF OF CONCEPT.  We applied for a seed funding of $100,000.
• Income from our Game Development enterprise (MSME) under Rent-to-Own Buyer or  Aaro 

• Items B-D will be funded from fund that accrue from A) above.

B) Technical:

• Hardware, Software subscription to strengthen our Hub remote learning capacities (on Microsoft Team and Azure, Zoom, AWS, Slack etc.).
• Hardware, Software subscription to empower our fifty-five Alumni with Game Development enterprise (MSME).

C)  Cultural: 

• Securing parental permission for girls and young women to participant in our Gamified-Education gangs as mentors and students.

D) Marketing:

• Securing patronage/ collaboration with international organizations with messages to translate to Local Languages and Robotics e.g. WHO, UNESCO.
• Securing adoption of our Gamified-Education Gags by relevant government agencies.

FuTEduH currently partner with six organisations for Gamified-Educational gangs’ development:

• The Scratch Team, Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab, we have a verified Teachers account that qualifies us to use Scratch for teaching.
• STEMPEDIA, Product development in the area of AI, ML and Robotics.
• The Tony Elumelu Foundation as a member of  the Disruptor category of the TEF 2020 Program. This means that we are eligible to go on to the training segment for Disruptors which is a prerequisite for a $5,000 seed funding. We are at present undergoing Master class on diverse topics to effectively maneuver the effect of the pandemic and lockdown.
• University of Maiduguri, Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (Prof. Muhammed Dauda) 3D-Robotics curriculum development and a broader research partnership.
• NASFAT Lagos Zone 1 and NASFAT National Empowerment Office are piloting the solution and using their capital and resources to support the deployments.
• Favoured Audio Visual Services are providing us with Marketing, media, and exposure on social media.

FuTEduH Business Canvas Sheet 1

We plan to bring in money to fund our work, through the combination of grants, selling products or services, raising investment capital.

Engr. Wasiu Oyedepo our principal initiator has invested $7,500 in equity in the last one year. Also we have successfully completed the application assessment and accepted into the Disruptor category of the TEF 2020 Program. This means we are eligible to go on to the training segment for Disruptors. If we successfully scale through we will receive seed capital of $5,000. Furthermore, we have successfully submitted our proposal titled:  “Future.Today Interactive code to learn online series during and After Covid-19 Pandemic" to ISDB TRANSFORM FUND 2020 - INNOVATIVE IDEAS WITH PROOF OF CONCEPT.  We applied for a seed funding of $100,000. We are also applying for Solve’s seed funding.

We are developing joint products and programs with the University of Maiduguri (Prof. Muhammed Dauda) to enhance our training with 3D-Robotics, IoT, AI, ML etc.

Through our pilot projects, we generated an income of $1,000 from services we rendered directly to students in our Hub and boot camp in partnership with NASFAT Lagos Zone1.

We plan to sustain our existing relationships, develop and expand our students’ and partnership base.  Also refine our business and revenue model (

Aaro and rent-to-own etc) from a prototype to a replicable service. Furthermore cultivate a marketing and social media presence to reach new partners and students.

We expect the business to become self sustaining in the third year of operation.

Engr. Wasiu Oyedepo our principal initiator has invested $7,500 in equity in the last one year. Also during the same period we run our pilot projects and generated an income of $1,000 from services we rendered directly to students in our Hub and boot camp in partnership with NASFAT Lagos Zone1.

We have successfully completed the application assessment and accepted the Disruptor category of the TEF 2020 Program. This means we are eligible to go on to the training segment for Disruptors. If we successfully scale through we will receive seed capital of $5,000. We expect to start the training by 2021 due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Also, we have successfully submitted our proposal titled:  “Future.Today Interactive code to learn online series during and After Covid-19 Pandemic  to ISDB TRANSFORM FUND 2020 - INNOVATIVE IDEAS WITH PROOF OF CONCEPT.  We applied for a seed funding of $100,000. We expect that winners for this call will be announced before the end of year 2020.

Furthermore we have applied to MIT-Solves 2020 Global Challenges. We plan to utilize the prize funding of $10,000 to scale up our work in the area of Strengthen competencies, particularly in STEM and digital literacy, for girls and young women to effectively transition from education to employment.

FuTEduH estimated expenses for 2020 Sheet 3

A) Financial: Access to a dynamic network of Elevate Prize Global Heroes and partners to progress our fundraising strategy to

    i.   Strengthen (Hardware, Software subscription) our Hub for remote learning (on Microsoft Team, Zoom, AWS, Slack etc.) in compliance with Covid-19 Protocols.

   ii.   Empower (Hardware, Software subscription) our fifty-five Alumni with Game Development Enterprise (MSME).

   iii.  Overhead Cost of remote workers.

B)   Technical: Mentorship and coaching, educational training, capacity building in:

      i.  Hardware, Software subscription to strengthen our Hub remote learning capacities (on Microsoft Team, Zoom, AWS, Slack etc.).

      ii. Hardware, Software subscription to empower our fifty-five Alumni with Game Development Enterprise (MSME).

C)   Cultural: connection with influencers, industry leaders, and experts through Elevate Prize Foundation’s two-year program to

        i. Secure parental permission for girls and young women to participant in our Gamified-Education gangs as mentors and students.

D) Market: A tailored media and marketing campaign aimed at amplifying our work, building recognition and a fanbase around the Global Hero, and ultimately inspiring others to contribute to the public good to

        i. Secure patronage/ collaboration with international organizations with messages to translate to Local Languages and Robotics e.g. WHO, UNESCO.

        ii. Securing adoption of our Gamified-Education Gags by relevant government agencies in Nigeria and Globally.

To reach the partnership goals mentioned above, FuTEduH seeks partnerships to:

• Access the prize of USD $300,000 spread over two years, with potential for additional funding.
• Access professional management and development services, mentorship and coaching, educational training, capacity building, and connection with influences, industry leaders, and experts through Elevate Prize Foundation’s two-year program.
• Access tailored media and marketing campaign aimed at amplifying our work, building recognition and a fan base around the Global Hero, and ultimately inspiring others to contribute to the public good.
• Access the dynamic network of Elevate Prize Global Heroes and partners.

• The Solve.MIT Team: Mentor and advice to move our services online.
• Megan Smith; Support Solution Technology acquisition and deployment and build connections to investors and grantors to progress or fundraising strategy, to scale up our solution to low income communities in Nigeria, USA (Refugees) and worldwide.

• Diana Yousef, the founder of change:WATER Labs: to support local pilots of our solution crowded communities in Uganda and around the globe.

• MIT Media Lab.: to accept us as their computer clubhouses, which help young people from low-income communities learn to express themselves creatively with new technologies. In addition collaborate to translate the Scratch program into Nigeria Local Languages. https://youtu.be/aXHG-FGimpE

• Architect Liz Ogbu: to support local pilots of our solution among mothers and daughters in Tanzania and the day Labor center in the USA.
• WHO: To adopt our solution to Gamify their publication in Nigeria Local Languages
• World Bank: To adopt our solution to Gamify their publication in Nigeria Local Languages

https://youtu.be/LVAd8EBXcKc

https://youtu.be/MWVgoh3Mdy4

https://youtu.be/p82J8j7go5U

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