The University of Lagos (UNILAG), through its branch of the Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), has empowered female secondary school students to develop artificial intelligence (AI) applications to address challenges facing Nigeria.
The students showcased their innovations on Tuesday, October 20, at the university’s Science Board Room during the grand finale of activities marking the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child.
The event followed a two-day entrepreneurship and artificial intelligence training programme held on September 24 and 25 at the Robotic Hub of the D.K. Olukoya Central Research and Reference Laboratory, UNILAG.
The university said the programme was organised under the theme, “From Potential to Power: Empowering Girls for an Equal Future.”
Ten secondary schools participated in the programme, while students from five schools were selected to present their projects at the final event.
The students were challenged to develop technology-based solutions to problems Nigeria might face by 2050. Each team had five minutes to explain its chosen problem, demonstrate its application, and describe how AI contributed to the proposed solution.
The teams were also required to address potential risks and safeguards and respond to questions from judges and other participants.
Students develop agricultural and transport applications
The projects presented included AI Farm Doctor, AgriSmart AI, Agripadi, FarmAI and NaijaGrid.
AI Farm Doctor helps farmers identify possible crop diseases by uploading photos of affected plants. The application provides possible diagnoses, treatment recommendations and guidance on when to consult an agricultural extension officer. It also supports communication in English, Yoruba and Hausa.
AgriSmart AI combines weather alerts, an AI assistant, crop-disease support, farm record-keeping tools and a marketplace for farmers and markets.
Agripadi is a digital assistant for smallholder farmers that provides agricultural advice, weather and market information, and crop-disease identification in multiple Nigerian languages.
FarmAI integrates weather forecasts, a multilingual chatbot, access to agricultural experts, a farm-input shop and machinery rental services.
Meanwhile, NaijaGrid focuses on transportation. The platform supports journey planning, real-time tracking, emergency reporting, and government monitoring.
The judges assessed the projects based on problem definition, functionality, the application of artificial intelligence, risk management, safeguards, live demonstrations, and responses to questions.
Mainland Senior High School wins competition
Mainland Senior High School emerged as the overall winner with its FarmAI application, scoring 92.4 per cent.
Lagos City Senior College came second with NaijaGrid, scoring 85.6 per cent, while Gbaja Girls Senior High School placed third with AgriSmart AI, scoring 79.6 per cent.
Herbert Macaulay Girls Senior High School finished fourth with 75.12 per cent, while Wesley Girls Senior Secondary School, Yaba, came fifth with 70 per cent.
The university said the top-performing teams received additional gifts and recognition, while all participating students received certificates of participation and other gifts.
UNILAG urges girls to pursue science and technology
Speaking at the event, the Coordinator of the OWSD-UNILAG Branch, Professor Aderonke Samuel, said the initiative aimed to invest in girls’ futures and demonstrate their potential in science, technology, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
She stressed the importance of education, mentorship, opportunities and access to the tools girls need to succeed.
Professor Omobolanle Ade-Ademiliua, representing the Chairman of the OWSD-UNILAG Board of Governors, Professor Taiwo Asekun, encouraged the students to turn their potential into practical achievements.
She also urged them not to allow financial constraints to discourage them from pursuing their ambitions, highlighting the importance of funding opportunities and grants for young women.
Two guest speakers also addressed the students on resilience, self-worth, education and personal development.
Mrs Idoreyin Akinnibosun, Branch Manager of Wema Bank Plc at UNILAG, encouraged investment in girls through scholarships, internships and mentorship. She also highlighted the bank’s technology programmes and other opportunities.
Dr Adetoun G. Emiola, Deputy Director of UNILAG’s Institute of Continuing Education, urged the students to combine academic learning with practical skills and use technology to solve problems in their communities.
She emphasised that artificial intelligence should enhance human intelligence rather than replace it.
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Promoting girls’ participation in innovation
The event brought together students, teachers, university academics, members of the OWSD-UNILAG Board of Governors, guest speakers, sponsors and partners, with some participants joining virtually.
The programme also recognised newly promoted professors, retired professors and former members of the OWSD-UNILAG Board of Governors for their contributions to the organisation.
Through the training and project presentations, the university sought to encourage girls’ participation in science, technology and entrepreneurship while giving them opportunities to apply their knowledge to practical challenges.
The projects focused particularly on agriculture and transportation, demonstrating how students could use AI to develop proposed solutions to problems affecting their communities and the country. AI opportunities in nigeria
AI Writer
Bio: Joseph Michael is an MBA graduate in Marketing from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology and a passionate tech enthusiast. As a professional writer and author at AIbase.ng, he simplifies complex AI concepts, explores digital innovation, and creates practical guides for Nigerian learners and businesses. With a background in marketing and brand communication, Joseph brings clarity, insight, and real-world relevance to every article he writes.