A Non-Profit Foundation dedicated to educating and empowering children from underserved backgrounds, the Destiny Trust, has equipped young leaders across Nigeria with skills to tackle some of the country’s most pressing problems.

Co-founder of the Foundation, Abimola Ojenike, who spoke during the Kids Innovation Challenge held over the weekend, said that the event was part of a broader empowerment programme designed to equip children with technology and hard skills.

He said the Foundation believes every Nigerian child, especially those from vulnerable backgrounds, should be able to use technology not just as consumers but also as creators and innovators.

Ojenike said that Africa’s unique position, as a continent with the largest youth population, presents both an opportunity and a risk, adding that if children are not empowered and educated today, the vast youth numbers could become a liability.

He added that the innovation challenge offers young innovators in Nigeria the chance to present solutions to critical societal problems and ensure that the young population becomes an asset.

Ojenike noted that over 66 applications were received from children nationwide, featuring projects in software, robotics, and Artificial Intelligence (AI), adding that after an initial shortlisting and interviews, 10 outstanding finalists were selected to showcase their ideas.

Also, Senior Counsel at Paystack, Ugo Nwaokike, said supporting the children was critical for powering African ambition and sustaining the ecosystem for future innovation.

He further said that it was his third time participating as a judge in the programme and had witnessed firsthand the significant impact it has on young minds over time.

Meanwhile, OpticLearn AI won the tech innovation challenge, taking home the N2 million grand prize, while Koko-Rack and Agrictech were named first and second runners-up, receiving N1 million and N500,000, respectively.

In addition to cash awards, all three winners received computers and enrolment in a year-long mentorship programme aimed at enhancing their technology skills, financial knowledge, and capacity to build sustainable ventures.