Emma Lloyd Onyeike, LAGOS
Two young Nigerian innovators, 10-year-old Akachukwu Blessed Nwachukwu and Ifunanya Gabriella Okoye, have made history by winning the 2025 Technovation Global Summit in the Beginner Division.
The duo, competing as Team Appsolute, developed an AI-powered mobile app called Stay Woke, designed to combat drowsy and distracted driving, placing Nigeria firmly on the global technology map.
The Stay Woke app utilizes facial recognition and voice interaction to monitor driver fatigue in real time, issuing alerts to prevent accidents. The Port Harcourt natives outshone competitors from Japan, Spain, Canada, and Peru to claim the world title at the competition’s grand finale.
The Technovation Global Summit, the world’s largest tech entrepreneurship program for girls aged 8–18, saw over 33,000 participants from 117 countries this year. Of those, 11,000 completed the program, collectively developing more than 3,200 tech-based solutions.
Mentored by Somkenechukwu Mamah, founder of Code Ambassadors Academy, the young innovators attributed their success to rigorous training and support. “This victory proves that innovation knows no age or boundary,” Mamah said. “Akachukwu and Ifunanya have shown resilience, creativity, and courage, demonstrating that young people in Nigeria and across Africa can compete and win on the global stage.”
Code Ambassadors Academy, a STEM-accredited platform, has trained over 7,000 Nigerian children in coding, robotics, AI, and design skills. The girls also credited their parents’ unwavering support for their achievement.
This landmark win highlights the growing influence of African youth in global technology and innovation.
