A Lagos-based nonprofit, Access for Youths to Information Technology Initiatives (AYITI), is equipping children with coding, design, and robotics skills as part of a drive to steer them away from crime and prepare them for careers in technology.

The initiative was founded by software developer Akinyele Olubodun, who explained that his own family overcame hardship through programming. “AYITI is not just producing developers. We want to raise leaders who can challenge the status quo and use technology to create positive change,” he said.

The program offers one year of free training for children aged nine to thirteen from low-income communities. Alongside technical instruction, students receive mentorship and leadership development designed to build character and resilience.

Nigeria continues to grapple with rising youth involvement in internet fraud, child labour, and street violence—issues often linked to poverty, peer pressure, and the lure of quick money. AYITI counters these pressures by providing digital skills alongside ethical programming principles, while also connecting students with role models who embody community leadership.

Classes are taught by volunteer tech professionals. Mubarak Salami leads user experience design workshops, Opeyemi Ibrahim handles front-end web development, and Ologunde Elisha introduces students to electronics and robotics. Students also engage in peer-to-peer learning and career support activities.

The impact is already visible. Graduates have built projects such as AmazingSQL, a gamified tool that simplifies database learning. Others have secured internships, launched small businesses, or developed civic technology solutions addressing community issues like waste management and education.

AYITI removes barriers to participation by offering tuition-free learning, loaning laptops, and allowing flexible schedules for children balancing family responsibilities. This inclusive approach has attracted the attention of philanthropists and educators who view tech education as a powerful strategy to reduce poverty and crime.

Looking ahead, Olubodun shared the nonprofit’s vision: “Our long-term goal is to change Nigeria’s global image from a hub of cybercrime to a source of socially impactful software and innovation.