Skills-on-the-Move

Millions of students in Nigeria, brimming with potential, are locked out of the digital world. These young minds, from underserved communities, lack the essential tools and knowledge to thrive in today's technology-driven society. The problem runs deep. A shortage of qualified digital skills teachers leaves students without proper guidance in this crucial domain. Classrooms lack the computers and resources needed for practical learning, hindering hands-on experience. Traditional curriculums fail to equip students with the skills needed for the rapidly evolving digital landscape. Overcrowded classrooms make personalized learning and effective digital skills integration a challenge. Limited internet access within schools further isolates students from the vast resources of the digital world. A 2021 study revealed that over 63% of rural Nigerian secondary school students lack access to fundamental digital tools like laptops, internet, and even phones. This translates to a vast majority being left behind. A staggering 85% of Nigerian graduates leave school without the digital skills needed to compete in a global job market. In the global innovation index 2023 report, Nigeria ranked 109th among the most innovative countries in the world and cannot be found in the top 10 most innovative African economies yet not more than seven percent of the national budget is allocated to education over the years. A generation is at risk of being left behind in an increasingly digital world. This digital divide is a barrier to opportunity. It limits career prospects, stifles innovation, and hinders Nigeria's potential in the global digital economy.

Our solar-powered digital learning classroom is a physical location where children learn digital skills and get technology education after school hours for free. Our proposed solution is a mobile solar-powered van which conveys hardware and deploys essential digital skills and resources to junior and senior secondary school students in underserved schools in Nigeria, starting from Lagos State. Our goal is to meet their academic and future professional needs so they are not left behind in a fast-changing technological era. We will also provide mentorship support for lifelong educational and career guidance to the teenage students in order to empower them to be problem solvers, innovators and contributors in the digital world. The van will transport all the equipment needed for a modern digital learning experience which includes durable laptops, tablets, projector, WiFi router, chairs and tables for students while trained educators travel with the mobile classroom, delivering lessons, facilitating project-based activities, and providing mentorship to students to learn critical digital skills. It will also be modified to support the projection of digital content as well as power the equipment using solar energy. Through a 3-month pilot program that we carried out in Ikorodu community, in Lagos, we have been able to reach 30 junior secondary school students. They learnt how to use cloud applications like Google Workspace, design websites and graphics, edit videos and the responsible use of the internet and AI. They have also built a good foundation in coding, learned how to sell online. The training was conducted onsite in our solar powered digital skills hub for free. In Lagos state, there are 672 public schools spread across 37 local development council areas. Our solution incorporates a globally relevant curriculum that emphasizes practical skills and project-based learning and offers a sustainable solution to bridge the digital divide in underserved communities in Nigeria.

Skills-on-the-move is designed to directly benefit at least 10,000 Junior and Senior Secondary School Students in under-served public schools in Lagos, Nigeria. They are between ages 11-16. Currently, the challenges the students face are: shortage of good computers for practicals within the classrooms, lack of access to globally relevant digital literacy curriculum that meets the need of a rapidly changing world, overcrowded classrooms, limited internet accessibility within the school environment, and ignorance about the current technologies shaping the innovation and work in this present age. They have neither heard about it, used it or tried to see how it can be used to solve indigenous problems around here. Through our program, these students will become digitally literate, develop critical thinking and problem solving skills, understand technologies like artificial intelligence, cloud computing and robotics, and prepare for the evolving future of work. They will also have access to a global pool of mentors who can answer their questions about their desired careers.

We are a team of 4 people with a mix of experience and value. Grace Akinsola who is the team lead, is an alum of the Teach for Nigeria fellowship where she taught in underserved primary schools in Makoko and Ikorodu, Lagos state between 2017 and 2019. She settled in Ikorodu and started the digital co-learning hub in 2024, which is 5 years after she has lived and worked among the indigenous people of Ikorodu, Lagos state, having understood the people and the educational needs of the children in the community. She has also organized programs and training within the community that has helped young people become digitally literate, learn tech skills and build on it as they proceed to university. Today, we have success stories of some kids within the community that have been impacted within her 5 years of living with them. This has motivated her to reach more students, take this relevant training to them and see many of them make informed decisions as they pass through school and proceed to the university. Tolulope Adegbemile is another team member who is also an alum of the Teach for Nigeria fellowship, did a digital skills training program for all senior students in the secondary school where he taught, at the end of the two-year fellowship. Many of these learning and experiences have been brought together to create this program and reach more children within Lagos, Nigeria. Timothy Akinsola, who is also part of the team, worked in a rural outreach program that conducted free training for young children and provided guidance for them as they transitioned from high school to the university or polytechnic. He was there full-time for 3 years (2016-2019). We have a common value of selflessness, service, passion for quality education and love for young people. We believe that ignorance can be detected and dispelled early so that these children can prepare for a prosperous future which is achievable as they acquire the right skills, knowledge and guidance early in life.

We have been able to design and deliver a 3-months immersive digital skills training program to 30 secondary school students from underserved schools and communities. The program was delivered at our solar-powered digital co-learning hub located in close proximity to the school. We partnered with a public school within the community and this made it easier for the kids to come after school hours on Thursdays and Fridays for 12 weeks. The date and time was agreed upon by the students and their computer studies teacher. A few parents also brought their children into the program. The long term needs of the children is beyond the digital skills training, and we have designed a model that trains them and adds them to a group-mentorship community so as to get the best out of their lives through quality education, mentorship and access to the right information.

Our pilot program, YIMI digital skills training, tackles the critical issue of limited digital literacy in Igbogbo, Ikorodu, a remote community in Lagos, Nigeria. Launched in January 2024, the initiative provides a free, intensive 3-month training program for students from underserved secondary schools. The first round of the program which took place between January and March 2024 yielded remarkable outcomes as we saw 95% improvement in the digital literacy of 30 participating students (ages 13-16) and 75% program completion rate, demonstrating strong student engagement. We had a 96% graduate satisfaction score after an engaging capstone project by the students, highlighting the program's effectiveness. Our initial assessments revealed a significant digital skills gap. We discovered that many students lacked confidence and familiarity with technology. 90% reported feeling anxious about using computers and online tools and only 5% were comfortable with basic operating systems and software features. Between 2013 and 2021, we have made efforts to engage young people and equip them with the skills needed to thrive in a technology driven world. The impact has been very small as we visit schools once in a year and hold training and summits. This led us to establish a hub where students can be taught weekly to be technology aware and digitally literate. The program addressed these challenges through a project-based learning format, fostering collaboration and adaptability. By the program's end, 90% of students reported feeling confident using technology and web applications. Students mastered cloud applications like Google Workspace, designed websites and graphic content, learned responsible online behavior and AI usage. Also, they gained foundational coding skills, video editing techniques, and online selling platforms, equipping them for potential entrepreneurial ventures. All participating students demonstrated significant improvements in personal effectiveness, collaboration skills, time management, and overall tech-savviness. They are no longer limited by their anxieties, but empowered to explore the endless possibilities technology offers. 

Efforts have been made since 2013 when the program was envisioned to bring digital skills training and mentorship opportunities to young people in junior and senior secondary schools. Short training programs and student summits have been held across two states in Nigeria and these experiences have informed our team to seek meaningful partnerships with schools and ensure the training is conducted in partnership with schools, rather than waiting for the kids to come for the training. Digital literacy and coding skills are not optional for kids any more. They must learn these skills early and be ready to contribute meaningfully in a technology driven world.

With Skills-on-the-Move, 500 students can be trained quarterly in some selected schools within several communities. If we have 20 laptop devices transported to the school environment, we can train 20 students hourly between 9am and 2pm (which is the school closing time). If we spend one day in a school, with 20 students hourly for 5 hours, we will cover 100 students and can reach 500 students by moving around 5 schools every week.

In order to achieve this, we need additional 12 laptop devices, a good van for mobility, sound systems, a projecting screen or projector and a good hybrid inverter for power supply. We believe our solar-powered digital learning solution perfectly aligns with Solve's mission of tackling global learning challenges, and your network of experts can connect us with resources and partnerships to ensure efficient deployment, a wider reach and quality delivery in terms of the content of the curriculum and access to software and hardware equipment that will benefit the program participants. We are confident that with Solve's support, Skills-on-the-Move can become a beacon of digital learning opportunity for countless students in Lagos, Nigeria.

Our solar-powered digital learning classroom solution tackles the digital skills gap in underserved communities with a unique and impactful approach. Unlike traditional fixed computer labs, our solar-powered digital learning classroom travels to schools, eliminating geographical barriers and reaching students in remote locations who wouldn't otherwise have access. This addresses the challenge of geographically dispersed communities and allows us to reach a wider population efficiently. Solar power ensures reliable electricity, overcoming limitations of unstable grids in underserved areas. This sets us apart from solutions reliant on traditional power sources. Our solution also ensures that there is a lower student-teacher ratio and more personalized attention which overcomes the challenges of overcrowding, which is common in traditional brick-and-mortar classrooms. Our focus is on project-based learning and practical skills. We move beyond basic computer literacy by offering project-based activities that encourage critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity skills that are highly sought after in today's job market. Our globally relevant curriculum emphasizes the development of in-demand skills like web design, coding, responsible use of the internet and AI and online collaboration, preparing students for future careers.This focus on practical application sets us apart from solutions offering just theoretical knowledge. The mobile classroom model can be readily replicated in other regions facing similar challenges, potentially inspiring other organizations to adopt this approach. Our success story can serve as a powerful advocacy tool, urging policymakers and stakeholders to prioritize digital skills training in underserved communities. Our collaboration with schools and potential funding from Solve can demonstrate a successful model for public-private partnerships in tackling educational inequities. Our impact data can serve as powerful evidence for policymakers to prioritize digital skills training and invest in innovative solutions like ours. Our solar-powered digital learning classrooms are not meant to replace teachers, but to empower them. We provide teachers with access to technology and training, allowing them to integrate digital tools effectively into their lessons. Finally, we do not just train the students, but immerse them into a community that encourages life-long learning, ensures they do not drop out of school, provides them access to global mentors and sets them up for an economically viable career in the future, as they keep in touch with changes in the workplace disrupted by technological innovations and prepares them to be meaningful contributors.

Our solution is mobile and self-sufficient. We bring the classroom directly to schools, eliminating travel barriers and we are able to work anywhere with off-grid power supply.

Our Approach is to:

• Increase access to technology by deploying digital learning content and facilities to classrooms in underserved communities.
• Bridge the skills gap by providing interactive digital skills training curriculum aligned with industry needs.
• Personalize learning by facilitating smaller class sizes to ensure personalized attention and support.
• Offer flexible learning schedules to accommodate student needs.

The problems we are addressing are:

• Students lack the skills needed for the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
• Students lack access to global mentors who can inform them and inspire them in their career choices and decisions.

By taking the training content and program to their schools, we hope to achieve the following immediate Outputs:

• Improved digital literacy and foundational digital skills development among students, bridging the digital divide.
• Enhanced confidence and interest in technology-related field
• Increased access to computers and internet for students.
• Access to qualified instructors and mentors.
• Enhanced learning environment with smaller class sizes and personalized attention.

Medium-term outcomes:

• Students continue education more confidently and desire to proceed to undergraduate school rather than dropping out to do menial jobs.
• Students see possibilities and become inspired to use technology to solve some of the probing issues around them.
• Students use technology to promote their parents’ businesses.

Longer-Term Outcomes:

• Impacted students become graduates with digital skills and thus have more job opportunities and great earning potential.
• They become part of a digitally skilled workforce that will foster innovation, entrepreneurial potential and contribute to Nigeria's digital economy.
• A more digitally literate population will unlock Nigeria's potential in the global digital economy and drive national innovation.

Evidence to Support Our Approach:

• A 2023 study by UNESCO showed a direct correlation between access to technology and improved learning outcomes in digital skills.
• The success of similar mobile learning initiatives in Kenya, South Africa, DRC, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania, and Senegal as well as France, 
• Also, the impact of similar programs in Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal, as well as Peru  provides further evidence for the impact of this approach.
• A 2023 World Bank report highlights the correlation between digital skills training and increased employability for youth.
• A report by McKinsey & Company (2023) highlights the growing importance of skills at all these learning stages and examines how new technologies and approaches can help students prepare for the future.
• Research by GSMA Intelligence demonstrates how improved internet access unlocks economic growth and job creation.
• A report by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (2023) highlights the importance of teacher training in effectively integrating digital skills into curriculum.
• A 2023 research by demonstrates the effectiveness of smaller class sizes and personalized learning in boosting student engagement and academic achievement.

Skills-on-the-move aligns with SDG 4 to provide inclusive, equitable quality education through the digital skills training. We also align with SDG 8 to develop the potentials of our workforce so that they are employable and able to access decent work in the future. By bridging the digital divide, we align with SDG 10 to reduce inequality within our communities as we ensure the children in these underserved communities we are impacting are not left behind in the digital revolution happening around the world.

In 5 years, skills-on-the-move would have reached 10,000 girls and boys with free digital literacy skills leading to effective learning outcomes, confidence, employability, desire for tech-related vocations, decent jobs and tech-driven businesses in the future.

Our impact goals are:

1. Increase access to foundational digital skills education, computers and internet for 10,000 students in underserved communities within 5 years. 

2. Drive the confidence and interest of 10,000 students in technology-related fields within 5 years.

3. Improve the resourcefulness, creativity and problem solving skills of 10,000 students within 5 years. 

4. Equip 10,000 students with essential digital skills to improve their employability, innovative capacity, and entrepreneurial potential to contribute to Nigeria's digital economy. 

5. Reduce the digital skills gap between students in underserved communities and their urban counterparts by 80% within 1 year. 

6. Raise a new generation of digitally skilled graduates ready to compete in the global job market to access greater job opportunities and improved earning potential. 

To measure progress, we utilize specific and measurable indicators.

Impact goal 1 - "Improved digital literacy and foundational digital skills development among students" is measured by:

• Number of students participating in the training program.

• Pre and post program assessments to measure improvement in digital skills proficiency.

• Student surveys to gauge satisfaction with the learning experience and soft skills gained.

• Number of training sessions deployed in underserved communities.

• Number of partner schools where training has been deployed.

• Comparison of digital skills proficiency scores between students in Skills-on-the-Move program and control groups in urban areas.

Impact goal 2 - "Students continue education more confidently and desire to proceed to undergraduate school rather than dropping out to do menial jobs" is measured by:

• Number of students who actively participate in quarterly mentorship programs and keep in touch with mentors.

• Number of student participants who complete secondary school.

• Number of students who secure admission within 2 years after completing secondary school.

• Number of students who proceed to study technology related courses in college.

Impact goal 3 - "Impacted students become graduates with digital skills and thus have more job opportunities and great earning potential" is measured by:

• Number of students who secure employment within 1 year after completing university education.

• Graduate surveys to track career progression and skills utilization in the workforce.

Our solution leverages solar power supply and van for mobility to create an atmosphere where students learn digital skills using a global curriculum and connect with mentors who inspire them from time to time. We use cloud applications in order to ensure our participants can access these learning content and platforms and leverage these platforms to learn, solve problems and innovate. 

Full Time- 2

Part -time- 2

4 years

We have a team that prioritizes gender balance. The team lead is female and another team member is female while the other two members are male. They are all Nigerians who are fluent in the local languages of the communities that we work with. The non-profit board consists of 3 female members and 3 male members, ensuring gender balance. The board members also hail from diverse tribes within Nigeria.

Our solar-powered digital learning classroom aims to achieve a double bottom line: creating social impact by bridging the digital divide and underserved communities, while also achieving financial sustainability. Here's how we envision our model working:

Value Proposition:

• For Students: We provide free, high-quality digital skills training through engaging project-based learning, empowering them for future careers and entrepreneurial ventures.

• For Schools: We offer supplemental educational resources and technology, enhancing teacher effectiveness and curriculum offerings, ultimately improving student learning outcomes.

• For Governments and NGOs: We deliver a scalable and replicable solution to address the digital skills gap, aligning with national development goals for digital literacy.

Revenue Streams:

• Grants and Donations: We are actively seeking funding from government agencies, NGOs, and philanthropic organizations focused on education and digital inclusion.

• Public-Private Partnerships: We are collaborating with corporations operating in Nigeria to leverage their Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives and secure sponsorships for our program.

• Impact Investment: We are exploring partnerships with impact investors seeking to support innovative solutions that address social challenges alongside financial returns.

• Future potential: In the long term, we might consider offering fee-based advanced digital skills training or certifications for students who complete our core program. However, this would require careful consideration to ensure accessibility remains a core value.

Our revenue model is the free-for-service model which sells our training services to a third-party payer. We have had one time donations from 2 individuals and monthly donations from 1 individual. We successfully secured funding to run our 3-month pilot program in Ikorodu, showcasing the viability of attracting grant support. This shows potentials for future grant applications. Our pilot program's success in Ikorodu serves as a springboard. We'll continue collecting data on improved digital literacy, student outcomes, and cost-effectiveness to present a compelling case to potential donors and partners. This data will be crucial for securing larger donations, establishing successful Public-Private Partnerships, and attracting investment for scaling our model. 

We also leverage our infrastructure to offer subsidized coding club services to parents and kids. We run a weekend coding club for kids between ages 6 and 12 on the same facility to ensure we are sustainable.