In Nigeria, thousands of children live in urban slums, surrounded by poverty and limited by circumstances beyond their control. When Kotlead Children’s Tech Education Foundation began its mission to provide tech education to children without access to essential learning resources, we focused on orphanages, knowing that children in these homes often lack family support and consistent resources. But as we grew, our understanding deepened, and our mission expanded. We saw an equally pressing need within urban slum communities, especially in areas like Port Harcourt. Here, we’ll discuss the reasons behind our shift and why helping children in these neighborhoods aligns with our mission to bridge the digital divide for underserved youth.
Our focus changed after conducting research in early 2024 that highlighted the challenges facing children in slum communities. The article Urban Slums and Cultism in Port Harcourt by Maduawuchi Elem and Amadi-Oparaeli Oyoburuoma Onu captures the struggles of these communities. According to their research, slums are often shaped by rapid migration from rural areas to cities, resulting in overcrowded and under-resourced neighborhoods where basic services, education, and security are limited. Elem and Onu explain that these environments tend to foster “survival-based lifestyles,” where young people are exposed to criminal influences, partly due to the absence of positive alternatives like education and employment opportunities.
For many children in these slums, growing up without access to school, a stable home, or safe recreational spaces means their days are spent searching for ways to survive, rather than exploring ways to grow. The challenges they face can be overwhelming. Imagine a child who, instead of going to school, navigates streets with inadequate sanitation, limited healthcare, and no access to clean drinking water. In such conditions, access to basic education becomes a privilege, and access to technology or digital skills is often unimaginable. We realized that these children, despite being full of potential, are deprived of even the most basic opportunities to escape this cycle of hardship.

Recognizing this, our foundation shifted focus, understanding that children in slum communities deserve the same chance to learn and grow as children in orphanages or middle-income families. Technology can be a powerful tool for transformation, and our work in slums aims to provide digital education as a way out of poverty. By offering tech training to children who may otherwise never see a computer, we’re not just teaching them skills; we’re offering them a lifeline. Digital literacy opens doors to a world they may not know exists—one where they have the potential to build careers, access information, and develop skills that can lift them and their families out of poverty.
Elem and Onu advocate for programs that directly address youth empowerment and education, especially in slums where resources are scarce. Inspired by their research, Kotlead Foundation designed programs that do more than offer classes. We aim to create spaces that are safe, supportive, and designed specifically for children who are unfamiliar with technology. Our approach considers the local challenges and tailors the curriculum to meet the needs of young learners who may have little or no prior exposure to digital devices.
The goal is to provide children in slum communities with practical skills that they can use in real life. Coding, basic computer skills, and digital literacy are not just “nice-to-haves” in today’s world—they are essential skills. With this knowledge, children can imagine futures in fields they previously knew nothing about, from software development to digital marketing. For these children, learning tech skills is not just about gaining knowledge; it’s about seeing new possibilities for their lives. It’s about empowerment.
Our foundation’s outreach in slums is grounded in the belief that education can break cycles of poverty. By equipping children in underserved communities with tech skills, we are investing in their futures, offering them alternatives to the harsh realities of their environment. The children we reach are not only gaining access to tech education; they are also developing the confidence to dream and the resilience to pursue those dreams.
Since we began working in these communities, we have seen the incredible impact that access to technology and knowledge can have. For children who previously lacked hope, learning new skills opens doors they had never imagined. In slum neighborhoods where opportunities are rare, we are proud to bring education directly to these kids, giving them tools they can use for a lifetime.
In a world where access to information and digital skills determines success, we believe that children in Nigeria’s slums deserve to be part of the digital age. The challenges they face are immense, but through consistent education, support, and skill-building, they can rewrite their futures.
Our journey into slum communities has reaffirmed our commitment to serving those most in need. Through digital education, Kotlead Foundation strives to empower children, inspire hope, and build brighter futures, one child at a time.
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