Diaspora group set to train Ogun students in AI, digital literacy, others

The diaspora organization Beyond Remittance Group (BRG) has been granted approval by the Ogun State Government to commence “After School Program” in Simawa High School. The approval is a huge development in furtherance of BRG’s Education Intervention initiative.

The BRG adopted Simawa High School in the Sagamu district in 2022 as part of its efforts to give back to Nigeria through improved education and skills acquisition support programs.The initiative, Public-Private-Partnership for Education Equity (PP4EE) aims to enhance the overall quality of education for the students, upskill teachers and provide the array of resources necessary to improve learning capacity.

The BRG launched an Immersive Reading and Writing Summer program in 2022. The success of the pilot led to the full implementation of the intervention initiative till present.

The group is now commencing the next phase by introducing an “After School Program” starting in June 2024, the first of its kind in the public school system in Ogun State. The After School Program will extend school hours by an additional three hours per week and provide students the opportunity to gain additional knowledge in artificial intelligence, digital literacy and hands-on vocational training courses.

In a letter signed by Majekodunmi O.O, the Ministry’s Director, Secondary and Higher Education, dated March 11, 2024, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, granted BRG approval to launch the After School Program.

It reads “Please refer to the above caption with the letter dated 14th February, 2024. In which you are enumerating the set of programs outlined for the learners of Simawa High School, Sagamu. I have the directive of the Honorable State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology to inform you that approval has been granted to you to launch the after school program as stated in your letter of request.”

“I hope that the learners will make optimal use of the opportunities as brought to their door-steps.”

The BRG has signed an MOU with the Data Scientists Network, DSN a sub-Saharan Africa’s leading Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology enterprise with headquarters in Lagos. DSN will create lesson plans in AI and Digital Literacy and deploy tutors to teach the After School Program.

DSN describes its mission as “Commitment to building Africa’s AI ecosystem, raising a million AI talents in Nigeria and prepare them for the future of work while developing Artificial Intelligent Solutions to improve the quality of life of 2 billion people in emerging markets, accelerating AI startups and activating digital transformation for organizations in Africa.”

The After School Program will offer other courses including, Architectural Design Principles, Carpentry Apprenticeship, Fashion Design and Marketing.

“This latest green light of BRG’s request further demonstrates OSMOE’s commitment to partner with the Nigerian diaspora, the private sector and other parties who are interested in giving back to Nigeria to help bridge the education gap. Most salient, BRG hopes this successful collaboration with the Ogun State Government will inspire other groups in the diaspora and serve as a template to replicate across Nigeria.

“BRG praises Commissioner Arigbabu’s embrace of its vision and the manner in which he continues to prioritize and fasttrack BRG’s intervention request in Simawa High School,” Ms Bukola Shonuga, the BRG’s Chief Executive Officer, said.