Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative, BBYDI

EXCITING NEWS, KEMI IS LIVE 👏🏾🥰 Yesterday at the Transcorp Hilton, with support from @francediplo, we did something truly remarkable and feel very pumped about it. We gathered policy shapers, global leaders, civil society executives, and activists from various leading organisations around the West and Central Africa for the launch of “Kemi” - a survival-centred, multilingual AI-powered WhatsApp chatbot co-created by survivors of Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (#TFGBV). Earlier this year, we conducted a multicountry online survey across six West and Central African countries to understand the awareness of #TFGBV, lived experiences, and barriers to seeking support. Analysis of the survey revealed that while 92% of the over 1,100 respondents experienced #TFGBV, including online harassment and non-consensual image sharing, only less than half of this number disclosed or reported these incidents. Their reasons? Stigma, fear of blame, and a lack of trust in available reporting or support systems which necessitated @hersafespace25 - the first AI-powered WhatsApp chatbot designed to address identified gaps in reporting and support for survivors of #TFGBV in West and Central Africa The event was also an opportune time to shed greater light on the prevalence of #TFGBV in Africa, as we launched other knowledge products, including the Methodological Report on the #TFGBV Database Development in West and Central Africa which provides broader perspectives on the rise of #TFGBV in Africa and recommends collective actions that can be taken to prevent it. Other knowledge products include; Staying Safe With Tao - a Guide Book on Becoming a Digital Champion; Power and Influence in Addressing #TFGBV in Nigeria; HerSafeSpace - Digital Safety Manual; and #TFGBV in Nigeria - Mapping Harms, Gaps and Pathways to Justice  The highlight of the event was the inauguration of the Male Allyship Programme - a platform for a more coordinated approach where even the boy child is empowered with knowledge and resources to, through dialogue, education, and action, champion a safer digital space by eradicating all forms of Gender-Based Violence through speaking up, showing up, and standing against #TFGBV. This programme matters because research shows that over 60% of online abuse victims are women. The Allyship Programme stands tall to change this narrative - not just to balance the data, but to eradicate all forms of violence against persons. We were thrilled to inaugurate global leaders (in no particular order): @jayegaskia, a public affairs and political analyst; @NoelAlumona, a special education expert and founder of @boyschampionsNG; @rotexonline, the Executive Director of @youthhubafrica; Mac Imoni Amarere, board member at @ActionAid; @Husseini_abdul, the Director of Pan-African and New Power Advocacy Office at @Save_AU_Liaison; Mustapha Sheu, a development expert; @HamzyCode, the CEO of @Connected_dev and co-founder of @4lowthemoney; @Nwankpa_A, the acting Director General of @SMYFoundation and @Funsho_Olajide, the founder of Disability Not a Barrier Initiative into the Allyship. These experts bring years of experience in creating sustainable pathways to development, and we are very proud of the next steps we will take together from here. KEMI is live, share this post and let more people access Kemí.

We’ve all heard something before and accepted it as truth without questioning it. A comment from a friend. A post online. Something repeated so often that it begins to feel real. But what if it isn’t true? What if the things we believe, the “everyone knows this” statements, are actually myths shaping how we think, how we act, and even how we treat others? That is how misinformation works. It is quiet, subtle, and powerful. It shows up in everyday conversations, in our communities, and sometimes in the choices we make. Before we realise it, these myths begin to influence real lives in very real ways. This is why it matters to pause and question what we hear. To unlearn what is inaccurate and make space for what is true. Because behind every myth, there is a fact that can shift perspective, challenge bias, and help build safer and more informed communities. As you go through this, take a moment to reflect. What have you believed without questioning? And now that you know better, what will you choose to believe? Let us move from assumption to understanding. From myth to fact. Verify every myth with MyAIFactChecker using this link wa.me/+18434381502 #MythVsFact #StayInformed #KnowledgeIsPower #UnlearnToRelearn #BBYDI #SocialImpact #Awareness

If you're studying at a polytechnic, this competition is for you. If you're at a college of education, this competition is for you. If you're at a monotechnic, a college of technology, a school of nursing, this competition is for you. Essay competitions in Nigeria tend to feel like they're only talking to students at federal universities. This one isn't. BBYDI's National Essay Competition on AI Literacy & Responsible Technology Use is open to students aged 18–30 at any recognised Nigerian tertiary institution. That's the eligibility. Not your institution's ranking. Not your course of study. Not whether you're in a capital city or not. A nursing student in Offa thinking about how AI could triage patients in an understaffed clinic has as much to say on this topic as a computer science student in Lagos. A student at a college of education in Minna thinking about how AI is changing what it means to teach has a perspective we need to hear. The question is whether you can make the argument. If you can, this is your platform. ₦400,000 first prize. ₦300,000 second. ₦200,000 third. ₦100,000 for each of the Top 10 finalists. Deadline: 15 April 2026, 10:00 AM WAT. Apply: forms.gle/TF4FXYTympVnH8…  Full details: docs.google.com/document/d/1vk… #AILiteracy #BBYDI #EssayCompetition #NigerianStudents

Eid Mubarak We extend warm wishes to our Muslim brothers and sisters as you celebrate this special season. May this Eid bring peace to our communities, strength to every voice, and hope to every home. Wishing you joy, reflection, and abundant blessings today and always. #EidMubarak #PeaceAndHope #Community #BBYDI #CelebrateTogether

What would you argue about AI in Nigeria? That's the question. BBYDI's National Essay Competition on AI Literacy & Responsible Technology Use is open for entries. ₦400,000 first prize. ₦300,000 second. ₦200,000 third. ₦100,000 for each of the Top 10 finalists. Open to students aged 18–30 at any recognised Nigerian tertiary institution. Deadline: 15 April 2026, 10:00 AM WAT. Apply: forms.gle/TF4FXYTympVnH8… Full details: docs.google.com/document/d/1vk… #AILiteracy #BBYDI #EssayCompetition #NigerianStudents

A biology teacher in Ilorin used to spend hours updating facts from outdated textbooks and drafting assessment questions from scratch. The actual teaching, the part she went into the profession for, felt like what was left over. After attending BBYDI's AI literacy training, she began using AI tools to handle preparation. Now, she could get back to being present with her students. But we're also learning that many teachers feel guilty about using AI. They watch students paste questions into chatbots without thinking, and they worry about what's being lost. Yet they're using the same tools to prepare better lessons, and feeling conflicted about it. This is why AI literacy skills gap is also a psychological one. People need to be able to use these tools without feeling like they're cheating. Our Programmes Director, Halimat Olufade, writes about what BBYDI is building and what we're still figuring out in communities across Kwara and Osun States. From 100+ illustrated flashcards for primary pupils to a radio drama in Yoruba, Pidgin, and English, every tool was shaped by the same principle of meeting people where they are. Read the full piece: @brainbuildersintl/13b1978ba1cb" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">medium.com/@brainbuilders…

Kemi tracked the delivery. The app said it arrived. She relaxed. But she never called her customer. Neither did the logistics company. By the time anyone checked, the goods had perished. AI gave her information. Following up was still her job. 🎧 Episode 8 is live. Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/200Q5p…... Youtube: youtu.be/oZ3YwlQW5oE

Got something to say about AI and its future in Nigeria? This is your chance to turn your ideas into impact, and win big while at it. BBYDI’s National Essay Competition on AI Literacy & Responsible Technology Use is now open, calling on students across Nigerian tertiary institutions to share bold, thoughtful perspectives on innovation, governance, and human welfare. Submit your essay before 15 April 2026, 10:00 AM WAT. Tap the link in our bio to apply. forms.gle/TF4FXYTympVnH8… Full details: docs.google.com/document/d/1vk… #BBYDI #EssayCompetition #AILiteracy #ResponsibleTech #NigerianStudents #YouthVoices #TechForGood

Most conversations about AI in Nigeria start with the technology. What it can do. How fast it's growing. How many jobs it will create or replace. Fewer conversations start with the questions that actually matter. Who benefits when AI is deployed in Nigerian healthcare, and who gets left behind? What happens when an algorithm trained on someone else's data starts making decisions about your loan, your school admission, your court case? Who in Nigeria is actually being asked what they think? That's what this essay competition is about. BBYDI's National Essay Competition on AI Literacy & Responsible Technology Use isn't asking you to explain what AI is. It's asking you to take a position on what AI should be in Nigeria, specifically, for the people who live here. If you're a student at any recognised Nigerian tertiary institution aged 18–30, and you have an argument worth making, this is your platform. ₦400,000 first prize. ₦300,000 second. ₦200,000 third. ₦100,000 for each of the Top 10 finalists. Deadline: 15 April 2026, 10:00 AM WAT. Apply: forms.gle/TF4FXYTympVnH8…

₦400,000. ₦300,000. ₦200,000. That's what's on the table for the three best essays in BBYDI's National Essay Competition on AI Literacy & Responsible Technology Use. We're not looking for students who can define artificial intelligence. We're looking for students who can argue what AI should look like in Nigeria — who benefits, who's at risk, and what responsible governance actually means in our context. Open to students aged 18–30 at any recognised Nigerian tertiary institution. Universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, monotechnics, schools of nursing, etc. if you're a student, this is for you. Top 10 finalists receive ₦100,000 each and a sponsored invitation to the Grand Finale Event. Deadline: 15 April 2026, 10:00 AM WAT. No extensions. Apply here: forms.gle/TF4FXYTympVnH8… Read the full call: docs.google.com/document/d/1vk… Links also in bio. This competition is part of the AI Literacy for Everyday People in Nigeria project, supported by the @PJMFdn. Questions? Reach out: o.halimat@thebrainbuilders.org | a.adebowale@thebrainbuilders.org +234 810 830 2763 | +234 806 358 9052 #AILiteracy #BBYDI #EssayCompetition #NigerianStudents

A woman faces online violence. Her intimate images are being shared without her consent. She is terrified, ashamed, and completely alone. She does not go to the police. She does not call a helpline. She opens WhatsApp and types "Hi" to a number she saw on a friend's status. Within seconds, something responds. It asks her to choose a language. It asks for her consent. It asks what happened. And for the first time, she is met with guidance instead of judgement. In this piece, Nurah Jimoh-Sanni takes you inside the story of KEMI, a WhatsApp chatbot reaching women where police stations, helplines, and policy frameworks cannot, and what it reveals about the distance between the support women need and the support that exists. @brainbuildersintl/she-reported-it-on-whatsapp-how-kemi-is-reaching-women-where-other-services-cant-a1ce9e451aa3" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">medium.com/@brainbuilders… Read it. Share it. And if you or someone you know needs KEMI: wa.me/+2349124648826

"Sir, is AI an app?" Mr. John's answer changed how Funsho understood everything: "An app is like a car. AI is the engine inside." AI isn't coming. It's already here—in our phones, our maps, our everyday lives. 🎧 Episode 7 is live. Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/4vkip1… YouTube: youtu.be/axiYLZa4V40

1,000 subscribers. Two months ago, we launched The BBYDI Brief to create something worth reading. Every month, we share what's actually happening. From citizen observers documenting elections in real time, communities testing GBV prevention systems, and AI literacy reaching classrooms and market squares. 1,000 readers are already in. Not one of them yet? Subscribe here: linkedin.com/build-relation…

The learning continues at the International Women’s Day Training 2026 hosted by Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative. Our second speaker, Sanni Alausa‑Issa, Communications Director at Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative, has taken participants through a hands-on practical session on Artificial Intelligence and its real-life applications for businesses and professionals. Moving beyond theory, he demonstrated how AI can be integrated into everyday work and business processes from improving productivity to simplifying communication, content creation, and opportunity discovery. Participants explored practical ways to use AI tools to work smarter, strengthen their personal brands, and position their businesses for growth in a digital economy. As the session continues, one thing is clear: technology becomes powerful when people know how to use it intentionally. #IWD2026 #GiveToGain #BBYDI #AIForImpact #DigitalSkills #TechForGood

The energy is already building at the International Women’s Day Training 2026 hosted by Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative. Our first speaker, Imatabahi Etuk, founder of The Mannaja Way, has taken the stage and is already dropping powerful insights on branding, storytelling, and the role of technology in shaping modern businesses. She reminded participants that strong brands are built on clarity, meaning, and intentional storytelling because people can copy ideas, but they cannot copy your experience or the story behind your brand. One powerful point she emphasised: first impressions are never neutral, and businesses must be intentional about how they show up and communicate. She also reiterated that the notion that AI is not meant for small businesses is a lie. AI is meant for all businesses. When used intentionally, it can amplify your brand, sharpen your message, and even save valuable time. The conversations have just begun, and the room is already buzzing with ideas. #IWD2026 #GiveToGain #BBYDI #WomenInLeadership #TechForGood #RightsJusticeAction

How much personal data does your favourite app actually need to work? Probably a lot less than it collects. Stephanie Mikkelson from @UNFPA was direct at our IWD webinar: only collect what you need. Especially when the data involves women and girls, and especially in contexts where gender itself makes people targets. This applies to every app, every platform, every organisation handling sensitive information. Thank you, Stephanie and Alexandra, for a powerful morning. #IWD2026 #TechPoweredPathways #DataPrivacy #TFGBV #UNFPA BrainBuilders SafeByDesign

A location-sharing feature meant to help friends find each other can become a stalking tool. A platform designed for the community can become a space for coordinated harassment. Stephanie Mikkelson, TFGBV Programme Specialist at @UNFPANigeria, named this tension at our IWD webinar today: the intention behind the tech doesn't protect the people using it. Only deliberate, safety-first design does. This thinking guides how BBYDI builds tools like KEMI, with survivor safety, informed consent, and privacy at every stage of development. Thank you, Stephanie, for pushing all of us to build better. #IWD2026 #TechPoweredPathways #SafeByDesign #TFGBV #UNFPA BrainBuilders TechEthics

How women experience online violence is shaped by age, religion, location, disability, and that must shape how we respond to it. Alexandra Robinson from @UNFPA made this point at our IWD webinar today. A 14-year-old girl in Ilorin navigating cyberbullying faces a different reality from a woman journalist in Lagos targeted by coordinated attacks. Both deserve support. Neither deserves a one-size-fits-all response. Thank you, Alexandra, for centering intersectionality in this conversation as a design principle. #IWD2026 #TechPoweredPathways #TFGBV #Intersectionality #UNFPA #BrainBuilders

One in three women experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime. For technology-facilitated gender-based violence, the figure is nearly double — 60%. Alexandra Robinson, Technical Advisor on GBV at @UNFPA, put these numbers side by side at our IWD 2026 webinar today. The gap between them tells us that our response systems haven't kept pace with how violence is actually happening now. This is part of why BBYDI created KEMI — a free, confidential WhatsApp chatbot that supports women and girls experiencing online abuse. Thank you, Alexandra, for grounding this conversation in evidence. #IWD2026 #TechPoweredPathways #TFGBV #EndGBV #UNFPA #BrainBuilders #DigitalSafety

A woman in Anambra receives a manipulated photo of herself, shared without her consent. A student in Ilorin blocks an anonymous account sending threats, and another appears the next day. A teacher in Yola discovers a student's image circulating in a WhatsApp group and realises there's no protocol, no helpline, no infrastructure to respond. These are happening now, and for most of the women and girls involved, the only available response is silence. At Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative, we built KEMI — a free, confidential chatbot on WhatsApp that provides guidance and resources for women and girls facing online abuse. It meets women where they already are: on their phones, in their own time, on their own terms. This International Women's Day, seven of our colleagues speak about why this matters. If a woman in your life was dealing with this, would she know where to turn? Try Kemi wa.me/+2349124648826 or DM us for more info. If you work with survivors and want to partner, please reach out. #InternationalWomensDay #IWD2026 #GenderJustice #DigitalSafety #KemiChatbot #BBYD