Project Launch: 6-21-18

This initiative is aimed at providing learning and mentoring opportunities for young people in Cross River State, Nigeria, specifically through digital training so they can pursue tech-related jobs, careers, and opportunities. Digital Summer Academy seeks to train disconnected youth in tech-oriented professions through workshops, internship placements, and ultimately, retainerships, which will allow them to make the transition to adulthood with an economic headstart. 

Final Report: 11-2-18

The 2018 Digital Summer Academy has trained 60 young people from underserved communities in Cross River State in web designing & development, social media management, graphics design, Android app development, photography, animation & video production, and Google tools. The programme was implemented using a participatory facilitation format which engaged participants in brainstorming, role-playing, and practical classes. The 4-week training comprised indoor and outdoor sessions, peer mentoring classes, a HOT Seat Session with professionals, community development project as well as a Pitch Fest Session which crowned the graduation ceremony of the academy.

The winners of the 2018 Digital Summer Academy Pitch Fest included: Emilia Omini Okoi, who won the first prize with her upcycling idea – Revamp. An online portal billed to teach people to reuse, recycle, and upcycle their existing wares to wealth. Her prize included an HP laptop and 6 months of incubation and data support. The second place winner, Francis Benjamin, won an HP laptop and 3 months of incubation and data support for his BandAid idea – a content curation platform for live bands and entertainers nationally. The third place winner, Precious Inyang, won a Lenovo IdeaPad laptop and one month of incubation and data support for Readlearn – a targeted learning platform for young people preparing for examinations. The runner-ups were Smith Nkereuwem of Jalo App – a needs offer website for and Keyu Patrick – with her gerontology service idea for retired civil servants.