FOUNDERS’ CORNER
The third quarter of 2025 has been one of meaningful growth at The Visiola Foundation. We welcomed 100 bright girls to our STEM Summer Camp, where they explored AI and robotics, building confidence and innovative projects that addressed real community challenges. We also launched our second Hybrid Coding Bootcamp with 82 participants, focusing on AI Agents and Data Analytics. As AI becomes a foundational skill shaping the future of work, we are proud to equip young Africans with the expertise needed for high-demand roles. This quarter, we signed a strategic partnership with WorldQuant University (WQU) to expand access for African women to advanced STEM programs, with a goal of raising female enrollment from 18% to 40% within five years.
Our alumni continue to inspire us: Victoria (27) now works as a Product Designer at Ovalsoft Technologies, while Anita (22) is thriving as an Intern at Uber. Their success stories reflect the impact of our mission and serve as role models for the next generation.
As we reflect on Q3, we are grateful to our partners, team, and students. Together, we are building a future where African women lead in the global technology ecosystem.
Warm Regards,
Ladé
Our Activities in Q3 2025
Q3= July, August and September
- The Visiola Foundation Empowers 100 Girls with AI and Robotics Skills at 2025 STEM Summer Camp
The Visiola Foundation successfully concluded its 2025 STEM Summer Camp, a vibrant residential program designed to ignite a passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) among girls in Nigeria. Held from August 9 to August 16 in Abuja, the camp brought together 100 participants under the theme “Innovating Africa: Empowering Girls in AI and Robotics for a Sustainable Future.” Over eight intensive days, the camp provided a transformative learning experience that equipped a new generation of innovators and problem-solvers with the skills to use technology for driving sustainable progress in their communities.
2025 STEM Summer Camp Students
The program offered a rich blend of academic rigor and creative exploration. Participants engaged in hands-on learning in robotics and artificial intelligence, mastering the fundamentals of computer programming, engineering, and mathematics which they applied to design and build their own robots. Beyond technical skills, the camp fostered holistic development through activities including entrepreneurship workshops, public speaking coaching, self-defense training, and Krump dance classes. This environment nurtured not only technical proficiency but also greater self-confidence, stronger voices, and a renewed belief in their own potential.
To connect classroom learning to real-world impact, students embarked on educational excursions to leading technology firms. At Galaxy Backbone, they gained insight into Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, observing high-speed fiber networks and a Tier III data center to understand how secure connectivity and large-scale data management support national development. The visit to Blue Camel Energy showcased the power of renewable technology, as students explored solar-powered systems and learned how sustainable energy solutions are transforming communities and creating green jobs. These experiences provided tangible inspiration for the students’ own innovative projects.
Students at Galaxy Backbone
Students at Blue Camel
The camp culminated in a closing competition where student teams presented their final projects, addressing real-world challenges identified in their communities. The projects were evaluated by esteemed judges Marykate Ekanem, a STEM Educator from New Horizons, and Omolara Esther Hamzat, a Cybersecurity Analyst and Author.
Team Name: Goalgetters
Project Name: Gutter Bot
Description: A smart, eco-friendly robot designed to clean Nigeria’s clogged drainage systems safely and efficiently.
Team Name: STEM Stalets
Project Name: Agro-Blade 2.0
Description: A human-like, smart autonomous robot designed to aid farmers and gardeners in weeding and monitoring their farms and gardens.
Team Name: Innovative Minds
Project Name: Wheely
Description: A robotic wheelchair that assists people with physical disabilities in moving independently without needing help from others.
Team Name: Young Inventors
Project Name: Smart Hauler
Description: Smart Hauler features two functional prototypes designed to assist with the movement of heavy objects.
Team Name: Tech Titans
Project Name: Agro Secure Bot
Description: A robot that creates ridges for planting seeds, sows seeds into the soil, and detects intruders, raising an alarm when necessary.
Team Name: Girls Tech Pioneers
Project Name: SentriBOT: A Smart Farm Robot for Enhanced Crop Health
Description: SentriBOT monitors crop health, detects diseases before they become a threat, and optimizes plant growth using advanced sensors and real-time analysis.
Team Name: Technoverts
Project Name: AeroFlora
Description: A low-cost, smart, and sustainable greenhouse robot designed for Nigerian farmers. It harnesses wind power, uses sensors to monitor weather, and automatically protects crops, all made from affordable, locally sourced materials.
Team Name: Limit Breakers
Project Name: Waste Sorter
Description: An automated robot that identifies waste types using a color sensor and separates them into categories—chemical, plastic, metal, and organic—using motorized mechanisms.
Team Name: Sci-Fun
Project Name: Secura X
Description: A dual-mode autonomous defense robot designed for Nigeria’s security challenges, serving as both a battlefield defender and high-security sentinel.
Team Name: Sparkles
Project Name: Smart Access Control (SAC)
Description: A smart gate that grants access only through authorized passcards.
After an impressive showcase of ingenuity, Team Young Inventors emerged as the winner with their innovative “Smart Hauler” project.
All graduates from the program left, equipped with the technical knowledge, creative confidence, and collaborative spirit to become leaders in the future of work in Africa.
2. The Visiola Foundation at the ISACA Abuja Chapter’s 17th Annual Conference 2025
The Visiola Foundation recently took part in the ISACA Abuja Chapter’s 17th Annual Conference, a premier event for technology governance, cybersecurity, and AI professionals, held from August 26th to August 28th, 2025. This three-day conference served as a vital platform for engaging with the latest industry developments and forging strategic relationships that align with the Foundation’s core mission of developing skilled and ethical technology leaders. The event’s robust agenda delved into critical digital era issues, such as the transformative role of AI in national infrastructure, the strategic value of cybersecurity as a business enabler, and the essential ethical frameworks for responsible innovation. The insights gained from these sessions into the future of the global and Nigerian tech landscape will provide invaluable context to directly inform and enhance the Foundation’s curriculum development and overall program strategy.
Emmanuel and Ayomide at the ISACA Abuja Chapter 17th Annual Conference
A key outcome of the conference was the establishment of promising new connections with leading international and domestic experts. Foundation representatives held productive discussions with Ms. Ramona Ratiu, Head of Cyber Resilience Testing at Zurich Insurance, exploring avenues for potential collaboration and sponsorship. They also met with Ms. Sushila Nair, CEO of Cybernetic LLC, who expressed a strong interest in contributing as an expert speaker on AI at a future Foundation event. Additionally, a conversation with Dr. Favour Femi-Oyewole, Group CISO of Access Bank, opened the door for her potential involvement in the Foundation’s Mentor Hangout series. Further strengthening our institutional networks, the team also received strategic guidance from Dr. Ayodele Bakare of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) on formalizing a future partnership.
Emmanuel with Sushila(CEO, Cybernetic LLC)
Ayomide with Sushila(CEO, Cybernetic LLC)
The knowledge acquired and the relationships forged at the ISACA conference are invaluable. They ensure that The Visiola Foundation continues to deliver cutting-edge, relevant programming that prepares our scholars not just with technical proficiency, but with a comprehensive understanding of the strategic and ethical dimensions of the technology field.
This cohort is focusing on two cutting-edge tracks: AI Agents and Data Analytics. In addition to the formal technical instruction, students are receiving mentoring and coaching from seasoned professionals through The Visiola Foundation’s Tech Mentor Hangouts, gaining invaluable industry insights and career guidance throughout the program.
CBC Cohort 2 Analysis
Total Number of Applicants – 96
Number of Selected Applicants – 82
4. The Visiola Foundation and WorldQuant University Forge Strategic Partnership to Empower Young African Women in STEM
This quarter also marked an exciting milestone in our journey to expand opportunities for young African women in STEM. On September 15, 2025, The Visiola Foundation signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with WorldQuant University (WQU), a U.S.-accredited institution dedicated to delivering high-quality, accessible education in STEM fields.
Through this partnership, the Foundation will provide WQU with a pipeline of talented young women to enroll in its advanced programs, including the Master of Science in Financial Engineering, Applied Data Science Lab, Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI): Computer Vision Lab, and the Deep Learning Fundamentals Lab. By leveraging our 360-Degree Developmental Learning Model, we will ensure that students are equipped not only with technical knowledge but also with the mentorship and soft skills necessary to excel in their careers.
President and Co-Founder of The Visiola Foundation with WorldQuant University representatives during the MOU signing.
Together, the Foundation and WQU aim to increase female enrollment in WQU programs from the current 18% to 40% within the next five years, thereby transforming the landscape of STEM education and employment for African women. As Ladé Araba, President of The Visiola Foundation, affirmed: “We are investing in the next generation of African women leaders — empowering them with the skills, confidence, and opportunities to drive innovation and economic transformation.”
5. ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
The success of our alumni continues to inspire us and reaffirm the impact of our programs. This quarter, we proudly celebrate two of our outstanding graduates.
- Victoria (27), a graduate of our Hybrid Coding Bootcamp, is now thriving as a Product Designer at Ovalsoft Technologies. Her journey showcases how determination, creativity, and technical training can open doors to exciting opportunities in the tech industry.
- Anita (22), another alumna of the Bootcamp, is currently an intern at Uber, where she is gaining valuable hands-on experience in a dynamic global environment. Her story highlights the importance of early exposure, mentorship, and the confidence to pursue bold career pathways.
Victoria(27), Product Designer at Ovalsoft Technologies
Anita(22), Intern at Uber