BBYDI Targets 100,000 Nigerians in AI Literacy Drive
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BBYDI Targets 100,000 Nigerians in AI Literacy Drive
By Kaosara Olayemi Oladimeji
The Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI) has unveiled a national artificial intelligence, AI literacy programme aimed at equipping at least 100,000 Nigerians with the knowledge, safety awareness, and ethical understanding needed to navigate emerging technologies.
The project, tagged “AI Literacy for Everyday People,” was unveiled on Wednesday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Osogbo, Osun State.
The launch attracted stakeholders from the Federal and State Ministries of Education, civil society groups, teachers, students, innovators, and media professionals.
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Speaking at the event, BBYDI’s Communication Director, Sanni Alausa Issa, said the initiative was designed to make AI accessible and safe for Nigerians, in line with the Federal Government’s new curriculum which prioritises creativity, skills, and values-based education.
“This is the Nigeria we have always envisioned — a nation where education keeps pace with global innovation, and technology serves humanity responsibly,” Issa said.
He explained that the programme is structured around four key pillars — Understanding, Use, Safety, and Ethics — to promote responsible AI adoption across communities, schools, and institutions.
According to him, the initiative aims to simplify AI education through curriculum integration, a radio drama series in Yoruba, Hausa, and Pidgin English, flashcards for primary schools, storybooks for secondary schools, and training sessions for teachers, parents, and youth community leaders.
Issa disclosed that a validation workshop for the curriculum was recently held at the University of Ilorin, where education experts reviewed the framework for nationwide implementation.
He said BBYDI’s goal is to train at least 100,000 learners — including teachers, students, parents, and artisans — in the first year of implementation, with expansion plans to cover all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“Our approach combines policy, community engagement, and storytelling. A farmer in Kwara can learn about AI-assisted weather forecasts in Yoruba, a student in Osun can explore digital safety through flashcards, and a parent can understand AI ethics through relatable stories,” he added.
Issa urged the media to support the initiative by highlighting positive stories of innovation and digital inclusion across communities.
“Tell the story of the teacher using AI to plan lessons, the student discovering coding through our radio series, and the parent who learns that AI isn’t something to fear but to use wisely,” he said.
He commended the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation for supporting the initiative, noting that its contribution has been crucial to making the programme a reality.
BBYDI said the project complements the Federal Government’s reformed education policy and demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to bridging Nigeria’s digital divide.
“The future of AI in Nigeria belongs to our people — their ethics, creativity, and courage to use innovation for good,” Issa noted.
