SIFAX Group trains 90 Lagos students in AI skills

SIFAX Group is pushing deeper into youth development as the company trained more than 90 secondary school students in Lagos in artificial intelligence and digital technology skills.

The initiative, carried out in partnership with the World Bank, reached students of State Senior Secondary School, Oyewole, in Agege area of Lagos. Organisers said the program was designed to confront rising youth unemployment and close the skills gap that continues to limit opportunities for young Nigerians.

The training formed part of the company’s corporate social responsibility efforts under the Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi Foundation. Through a series of community outreach programs across Lagos and beyond, the foundation has focused on equipping students with practical tools that can translate into jobs or entrepreneurial ventures.

During the sessions, students were introduced to computer literacy, machine learning concepts and the application of artificial intelligence in everyday problem solving. Facilitators walked participants through hands on exercises aimed at building confidence with technology rather than simply explaining theory.

School representatives were selected from various classes, with the expectation that they would share what they learned with classmates. Organisers said the ripple effect could extend the impact beyond the initial 90 participants.

Mrs Foluke Ademokun, executive coordinator of the foundation, said the long term goal is broader community transformation.

“The initiative is expected to benefit not only the students, but also the community at large, as the students would be able to apply the skills acquired to improve their lives and contribute to the economic development of their communities,” she said.

School management welcomed the intervention, describing it as timely and practical. Vice Principal Mrs Sherifat Ajala thanked the foundation and its sponsor for exposing the students to technology leaders and new learning tools.

“On behalf of the school management and all these students, I want to say a big thank you to Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi Foundation and their sponsor, the SIFAX Group, for the good works that they have done in the lives of our students and for the wonderful gift,” she said.

Two students, Goodluck Innocent and Moses Faith, were recognised for active participation during the training. Speaking on behalf of their peers, they expressed appreciation for the opportunity, saying the skills gained would strengthen their future employability.

At the close of the program, the school received a projector, laptop and projector screen to support continued learning. Similar donations have accompanied previous training sessions in other schools.

Beneficiaries of earlier outreach efforts include Community Grammar School, Zion Pepe in Ondo State; Osolu Senior Secondary School in Badagry; Pobuna Senior Grammar School in Epe; Baptist Model College in Ile Epo; Ijaiye Ojokoro Senior High School in Ifako Ijaiye; and Unity Senior College in Alimosho.

With the latest cohort, nearly 600 students have now benefited from the foundation’s technology empowerment initiatives, reflecting a growing private sector role in bridging Nigeria’s digital skills gap.