From digital illiteracy to tech empowerment: Stories of resilience and hope

In many rural communities across Nigeria, access to technology is almost nonexistent. Electricity is unreliable, the internet is a rarity, and computers are a luxury most families cannot afford. Schools struggle with outdated resources, and students graduate without ever touching a computer. Yet, in today’s world, digital skills are no longer optional, they are essential for education, jobs, and opportunities.

Fatiha Abdul Ganiyu, a 19-year-old student from Islamic College Osogbo, shared her experience: “I grew up in Akindeko, a small community where technology was out of reach, my parents worked hard to provide for the family, but owning a computer was never a possibility. I did not even have a touch screen phone for me to say I wanted to operate and my school did not have computers for us to use, I assumed using one would be easy until I sat for my JAMB exams”.

Faced with a screen she barely understood, the lack of digital literacy was not limited to her alone but youth in the community where there is lack of internet access and digital literacy. Fatiha struggled while her classmates navigated with ease. She failed twice, each time more discouraged than before. Embarrassed, she avoided asking for help, pretending she knew what she was doing while self-doubt consumed her. At home, the disappointment was heavy. “You will only fail and waste our money”. I cannot afford to waste my money for you to make another attempt, I am still struggling to pay our house rent and it is better for me to put my savings on the house rent, “Why bother”? her parents said.

Determined to prove them wrong, Fatiha sought knowledge wherever she could. When she finally got access to a computer, everything changed. “I learned to type properly, browse the internet, and even code. Before, I thought computers were just for social media, but now I understand how powerful they are”, she said. Gaining these skills not only helped her academically but also gave her the confidence she had lost.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector contributed 16.51% to the country’s Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2022, up from 15.51% in 2021. By the first quarter of 2023, ICT’s contribution increased to 17.47%.

Despite this growth, Data Reportal revealed that only 55.4% of the Nigerian population uses the internet, approximately 122.5 million people. Meanwhile, 54.5% of Nigerians about 123.4 million people still live in rural areas, where access to education and technology remains limited.

Today, Fatiha no longer feels left behind. She is now a first class computer science student and also a virtual assistant “I am no longer afraid of technology. I know I can learn anything if I put my mind to it”. Her journey is proof that with the right skills and determination, no obstacle is too big to overcome.

Sidikat was one of those girls growing up in an environment where education was not easily accessible, she never had the opportunity to learn how to read or write. While other children her age practiced their alphabets, she could only watch, unable to make sense of the letters on a page. “I always wanted to learn”, she recalled. “I wanted to be able to read books, write my own name, and understand the things people around me were saying”.

Without proper schooling or anyone to guide her, she felt trapped. At times, she wondered if she would ever be able to catch up. The frustration of being unable to read even the simplest words made her feel invisible, as if the world was moving forward without her.

Determined to change her circumstances, Sidikat took every chance she could to learn. The first time she successfully wrote her name, it felt like a breakthrough. Slowly, she began to recognize words and understand their meanings. “At first, I thought I would never be able to read,” she admitted. “But when I finally read my first sentence, I realized that learning is possible no matter where you start.”

As she gained confidence, Sidikat’s world expanded. She no longer felt excluded from conversations or limited by her inability to read signs and instructions. “Now, I can do things on my own,” she said. “I don’t have to rely on others to read or write for me”.
For Sidikat, literacy was more than just a skill, it was a doorway to a future she once thought was out of reach.

Timileyin Adefisoye, a student of Winners Model College and a resident of Oroki Community, grew up in a place where digital literacy was not a priority. His school had no proper computer lab, and most of what he knew about technology came from brief interactions with mobile phones. Like many of his peers, he was familiar with social media and entertainment apps but had little experience with productivity tools or advanced digital skills.
“I knew computers were important, but I didn’t fully understand how they worked or how to use them for anything beyond basic tasks”, Timileyin admitted. “I wanted to do more, to understand the tech industry and improve my computer skills”.

When he finally got the chance to learn, everything changed. He began exploring software he had never used before, understanding how digital tools could make work easier and open up new opportunities. “At first, I didn’t think I needed to know much beyond browsing the internet”, he said. “But as I learned more, I realized how essential technology is for almost every career”.

With time, Timileyin became comfortable with using computers for productivity, research, and problem-solving. “Looking back, I see how little I knew,” he reflected. “Now, I understand the power of digital tools and how they can help me in the future”.
For Timileyin, learning about technology wasn’t just about keeping up with the world, it was about preparing for a future he once thought was beyond his reach.

Abdul Samad Balogun, an 18-year old student, had always loved drawing. While other kids played outside, he spent hours sketching, dreaming of becoming a great artist. His father, seeing his passion, decided to support him. One day, without telling him, his father registered him for an art competition.

When Samad heard the news, he was excited and nervous. This was his chance to show his talent to the world. He spent days working on his drawing, carefully shading every detail. He was confident that his pencil sketch would impress the judges.

But when he arrived at the competition, his heart sank. Most of the other contestants were using graphics tablets, creating colorful digital artworks on screens. Until that moment, he had never even heard of digital art. He watched in confusion as they smoothly painted with styluses, blending colors effortlessly, something he could never do with just a pencil.
When the results were announced, Samad came last. The judges barely looked at his work. They praised the digital artists, calling their work modern and professional. Samad felt sad. As he walked home with his father, tears streamed down his face. That night, he cried his eyes out, feeling like all his effort had been for nothing.

For weeks, he didn’t pick up his pencil. He had always believed he could succeed with his talent, but now he felt small and left behind.

Seeing his son’s pain, his father refused to let him give up. He found an initiative where digital literacy was being taught in Osogbo. Without telling Samad, he signed him up. When Samad learned about it, he was hesitant and was afraid of failing again. But his father encouraged him, reminding him that talent alone was not enough, he needed the right tools too.
At the training, “I touched a graphics tablet for the first time. I also learned how to use digital brushes, colors, and layers. Slowly, my confidence returned. For the first time, I saw my art come to life in a new way”, he said.

Looking back, he realized that failing the competition wasn’t the end, it was the push he needed to grow. Now, he no longer feared trying again. He finally had the tools to chase his dreams.

This disparity motivated Lukman Adeoti to launch the Hardest-to-Reach Initiative (HRi). “I was terrified knowing so many underserved children lack quality education due to teacher shortages, financial constraints, and limited resources”, Lukman said. Speaking on the intervention, Lukman Adeoti, founder of Hardest to Reach Initiative, explained that the courses offered include data literacy, AI literacy, and practical applications of AI in everyday life.

Rukayat Adekola, a volunteer and educator with the Hardest-to-Reach Initiative, shared her inspiring story. She recalled feeling overwhelmed and hopeless while searching for a job after completing her NYSC service.
“One of my friends introduced me to the initiative,” she said. “I started as a volunteer before becoming a full-time tutor. This opportunity has helped me build more digital skills and has also served as a source of income, improving my living conditions”.
Rukayat Adekola, Volunteer and Educator with Hardest to Reach Initiative

Omokanye Mubaraq, an 11-year-old boy from Alhikmah Darrus Salam School shared his story.
“One day, my father sat down with me. With a soft voice, my father spoke of a special programme that could change my life in a positive way . I want you to learn how to code with his eyes full of hope and determination. The conversation was the first time I heard of coding, a language that could help me build websites and design digital art”.
Motivated by his father’s faith in him, Omokanye joined the programme. In the following weeks, he learned the basics of HTML and CSS coding languages that form the building blocks of websites. As he practiced, he discovered that these languages were like keys, unlocking a whole new world where he could create and express himself. Each line of code he learned was a small victory to him.

But the lessons he learned, HTML and CSS fueled passion within him. They became proof that even in the darkest times, knowledge could be a guiding light. Omokanye’s story is a reminder that while life can be incredibly hard, the power of learning can open doors to a future filled with possibility. His journey shows us that sometimes, the smallest spark of hope can begin to push back the shadows, even if the road ahead remains steep and challenging.

Kolade Oladipo, a beneficiary of the “Skill Them Young” programme, who had always wondered how to use his school lessons in a job. The ideas in his textbooks felt distant and impractical. This pain grew each day as he watched others succeed while he felt trapped by uncertainty and the lack of practical skills. He yearned to make a real difference but was held back by a gap between theory and practice.

Then, a ray of hope arrived through the Skill Them Young programme. Kolade was given a precious opportunity to do an internship at Akol Pharmacy in Osogbo. Though he was nervous and heartbroken by past disappointments, he decided to take a chance.

At Akol Pharmacy, everything changed. Kolade learned about new drugs, what they were used for and how they could help patients. He discovered the importance of writing invoices and how to properly document transactions on a computer. Most importantly, he was taught how to use digital technology to communicate information effectively and securely. Each lesson was like a light shining on a dark path, showing him that the skills he had longed for were within his reach.

“I never imagined I could learn so much about medicines and how the business works,” Kolade said. “The internship helped me see how school knowledge can help in a job. I felt like I was really growing and doing something important.”

Kolade also expressed gratitude for the support he received, he explained that it was through the efforts of the initiative’s founder, Lukman Adeoti, he gained the opportunity to intern at Akol Pharmacy in Osogbo.

Boluwatito and Boluwatife Adebayo faced many challenges, coming from a home with limited resources, they had no access to computers or technology. The situation worsened when they failed to complete an online exam registration due to their lack of computer skills.

The pain hit hardest when they tried to register for an important online exam and failed. Boluwatito’s voice trembled as she whispered, “I felt so ashamed. It was like everyone was moving forward, and we were stuck in the same place”. Boluwatife added softly, “I thought I would never catch up or have a future in technology. It felt hopeless”. Their eyes filled with tears, each failure deepening the sorrow of their isolation.

Yet, amid this overwhelming sadness, a small opportunity emerged which is a chance to learn and change their future. Determined not to be defeated by their circumstances, they sought out ways to learn digital skills. They started with the basics of coding, learning simple languages and how computers could solve real-life problems. Slowly, they learned to write invoices, document information on a computer, and use digital tools to communicate securely.

Over time, the knowledge they gained began to bridge the gap between their dreams and reality. Even though the journey was filled with tears and setbacks, learning these digital skills taught them that their past did not define their future. They discovered that, with perseverance and hard work, they could overcome the barriers that once seemed insurmountable.

Boluwatito and Boluwatife’s story is a powerful reminder that even in our saddest moments, the courage to learn can light the way to a brighter future. Their journey shows us that when we embrace new skills, we can rise above our limitations and finally join the world we once thought was forever out of reach.

Despite its success, the initiative faces challenges. One of the major challenges faced by the initiative is the attitude of some participants, as they often seek quick financial gains rather than long-term skill development. Additionally, there is a shortage of necessary devices, which is exacerbated by infrastructure deficiencies, and relying on support from friends and family for resources proves unsustainable, with limited tutors, and a lack of resources such as laptops and consistent internet access. Beneficiaries also struggle to balance the program with personal responsibilities.

Nevertheless, the Hardest-to-Reach Initiative continues to make a significant impact. Beyond teaching basic computer skills, the program trains participants in using tools like Google Workspace, conducting credible online research, and analyzing information for accuracy.
“HRi empowers women and girls financially, ensuring they are not enslaved to anyone for financial support,” Lukman said. The initiative also uses social media to spread awareness and reach more communities.