Mende Junior High School has won the overall prize in Tech4Dev’s maiden AI Inter-District Secondary School Challenge. The girls won the competition with Learning Without Limits, an AI-powered platform that converts classroom notes into sign language videos, simplified visual explanations, subtitles and voice narration to improve learning for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
One
hundred and thirty-five girls from 27 public secondary schools in Lagos were
involved in the project that aimed to develop artificial intelligence-powered
solutions addressing education, safety and bullying after participating in
Tech4Dev’s maiden AI Inter-District Secondary School Challenge.
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The
initiative, organised under the Tech Girls Drive Advocacy programme of the
Women Techsters initiative, introduced participants from Lagos Education
Districts II and IV to practical AI and problem-solving skills.
The
challenge culminated in a grand finale where six finalist teams presented
AI-driven projects designed to improve learning accessibility, student safety
and school welfare.
Speaking
at the event, Tech4Dev’s Country Manager for Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa,
Abraham Akpan, said the programme was designed to prepare girls for
opportunities in an AI-driven future.
“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 began with advocacy sessions in 31 public secondary schools before 27
schools progressed to the competition. Each participating school nominated five
girls from Junior Secondary School 1 to Senior Secondary School 3 to develop
AI-powered solutions with support from teachers and volunteer mentors.
At the
competition, Mende Junior High School won the overall prize with Learning
Without Limits, an AI-powered platform that converts classroom notes into sign
language videos, simplified visual explanations, subtitles and voice narration
to improve learning for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
Onike
Girls Junior High School finished second with Onike Girls Alarm Station, a
personal safety application featuring a one-tap emergency alert and live GPS
tracking to help girls seek assistance during emergencies, including in areas
with poor network coverage.
Mende
Senior High School secured third place with SpeakSafe, an anonymous AI-powered
reporting platform designed to help students report bullying while enabling
schools to identify patterns and respond promptly.
One of
the participants said the challenge had changed her perception of artificial
intelligence.
“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 entries, participating schools developed projects focusing on
gender-based violence, adolescent health, environmental sustainability,
financial literacy, unemployment, educational access and social inclusion.
Representing
the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary
Education, Mrs Oni commended the initiative for promoting digital skills among
young girls.
“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
said the challenge forms part of its broader effort to expand digital skills
training for girls in underserved communities through the Women Techsters
Programme, which operates in 30 African countries to prepare girls and women
for careers in technology and innovation.
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