Nigeria Partners with Raspberry Pi Foundation to Launch Code Clubs

Government collaboration with UK charity aims to foster digital literacy and innovation among Nigerian youth

The federal government of Nigeria, in partnership with the Raspberry Pi Foundation, is launching Code Clubs across the country to introduce students aged 7 to 17 to the world of coding and digital technology.

The initiative, announced by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, aims to foster digitally literate and innovative young minds in Nigeria. The Code Clubs will encourage participants to deploy creative problem-solving in their everyday lives.

The program will initially start at 17 knowledge exchange centers and will expand to other locations across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones.

Accelerating Nigeria's digital economy through knowledge and talent development

Bosun Tijani, Nigeria's Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, highlighted the importance of fostering a knowledge pipeline in Nigeria through free coding clubs in collaboration with the Raspberry Pi Foundation. The initiative aims to enhance technical knowledge and talent development to accelerate Nigeria's digital economy.

The Raspberry Pi Foundation will provide educators and young participants with toolkits, assistance, and directives, while the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy will oversee the creation and functioning of Code Clubs nationwide through a partnership framework.

Code Club partners, including individuals, educational entities, and organizations dedicated to advancing computing education, will receive resources, support, and operational guidance from a specified central organization.

Wide range of educational pathways

Code Club partners will have access to diverse educational pathways covering coding and technology-related topics such as robotics and electronics, game development, algorithms and problem-solving, introduction to coding, basic concepts, web development, programming languages, and project-based learning.

In October, the Nigerian government launched the Nigeria Artificial Intelligence Research Scheme, offering 5 million naira ($6,444) grants to 45 AI-focused startups and researchers. This initiative aims to promote the extensive application of AI for economic progress.