Nigeria’s revered traditional ruler, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, expands his legacy of youth empowerment with a tech bootcamp focused on equipping underserved girls with digital skills.
In a country where the digital divide continues to deepen socioeconomic inequalities, a traditional royal figure is leading an unexpected revolution.
His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, the 51st Ooni of Ife, has launched a groundbreaking initiative to train sixty girls from Lagos’ underserved communities in core technology skills. The program, called the She-Levate Tech Digital Bootcamp, is part of the monarch’s broader commitment to youth and female empowerment across Nigeria and the continent.
Spearheaded through the Hopes Alive Initiative (HAI)—an NGO founded under his royal patronage—the project signals a significant leap in community-led digital inclusion.
Royal Vision Meets Digital Innovation
The 16-week training, backed by the French Embassy Fund for Civil Society Organisations (FEF-OSC) and powered by Edunity.ng, kicked off officially with a press conference in Gbagada, Lagos. Participants, selected from ten communities across six local government areas, will receive hands-on training in high-demand fields such as UI/UX Design, Frontend and Backend Development, Data Analytics, WordPress, and Digital Marketing.
“This isn’t just about teaching code,” said Queen Temitope Ogunwusi, Deputy Convener of HAI. “It’s about showing these girls—and their communities—that their futures are not defined by their postcode.”
The program includes capstone projects, mentorship, and a job fair with potential employers from the local tech ecosystem.
A Royal Background Rooted in People-Centered Development
Born on October 17, 1974, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi ascended the throne in December 2015 and has since distinguished himself as a monarch with a modern, pan-African outlook. Before becoming Ooni, he built a successful career in real estate and was the Managing Director of Gran Imperio Group, known for its landmark estate developments.
Since ascending the throne, Oba Ogunwusi has actively pursued youth-oriented programs in agriculture, manufacturing, and now, technology. His reign has emphasized economic empowerment, culture, and innovation—often merging tradition with 21st-century ideas.
Through HAI and other platforms, he has focused on raising a new generation of problem-solvers. The She-Levate program is only the latest in a long list of interventions meant to bridge access and gender divides.
HAI Programme Director, Akapo Olusegun, emphasized the urgency of the initiative. “Many of these girls have never used a computer before,” he said. “Yet in a few weeks, they’ll be designing interfaces and analyzing data.”
According to HAI, 70% of participants are expected to secure internships, jobs, or freelance work within months of completing the program. The initiative aligns with UN SDGs, specifically Quality Education (SDG 4), Gender Equality (SDG 5), and Decent Work (SDG 8).
To ensure long-term impact, HAI plans to launch a co-working tech hub for alumni and create an ecosystem of continued mentorship and professional growth.
Cultural Leadership in the Digital Age
Oba Ogunwusi’s intervention raises important questions about the future of tech empowerment in Nigeria. Traditionally, such initiatives have been led by private corporations or international development agencies. But by using his cultural capital and royal institution to drive access to opportunity, the Ooni is helping redefine the role of traditional rulers in Africa’s digital economy.
More significantly, he is positioning the monarchy as an advocate of technological relevance—not just cultural preservation.
As Nigeria grapples with youth unemployment, limited access to quality education, and gender inequality in tech, grassroots programs like She-Levate show what can happen when local leadership meets innovation. For the sixty girls currently enrolled, this bootcamp could be the start of a new trajectory.
For others watching, it’s a case study in how influence, tradition, and technology can intersect—sometimes unexpectedly—to create inclusive futures.
If you’re a community leader, policy maker, or founder focused on inclusive growth, this model deserves close attention. The future isn’t just being built in Silicon Valley. Sometimes, it starts in places like Makoko—with a monarch and sixty determined young girls.
