NerdzFactory Foundation and Access Corporation Equip over 1,000 Lagos Students with Digital Safety Skills

In a bid to enhance online safety among young people, NerdzFactory Foundation, in partnership with Access Corporation, has successfully concluded the pilot phase of the “DigiSafe Programme” in Lagos.

The programme, which took place in Education District 4 of Lagos State, saw over 1,000 secondary school students equipped with essential knowledge and tools to navigate the digital world safely.

As digital interactions among students continue to rise for both educational and social purposes, the risks associated with the online space have grown significantly.

Recognizing this, the DigiSafe Programme was designed as a proactive solution to the pressing need for online safety awareness.

The initiative provided students with comprehensive training on how to protect themselves while using the internet, focusing on vital topics such as cyberbullying, managing digital footprints, and safe online communication practices.

Interactive sessions were central to the program, allowing students to engage in practical learning experiences and understand the potential dangers lurking in the online space.

To ensure the longevity of the program’s impact, a specialised Train-the-Trainers (TOT) component was also introduced.

This involved training over 50 teachers with the necessary skills to continue the digital safety education in their respective schools, thus ensuring the program’s sustainability beyond the pilot phase.

To further engage the students, the program featured hands-on workshops and an essay competition, allowing participants to demonstrate their understanding of the subject matter.

Top-performing schools and students were recognized and awarded, motivating others to apply the lessons learned from the training.

Ade Olowojoba, Director of NerdzFactory Foundation, expressed his satisfaction with the program’s success, noting that it underscored the organization’s commitment to creating a safer digital environment for Nigerian youth.

He emphasized the importance of equipping students with the skills to protect themselves online, given the integral role the internet plays in their daily lives.

Following the success of this pilot phase, NerdzFactory Foundation and Access Corporation plan to extend the DigiSafe Programme to more schools and districts within Lagos State and beyond, ensuring that even more students and educators benefit from this crucial initiative.