I first saw the call for the Data Science Africa (DSA) summer school back in 2017. At the time, I was just finishing my undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Lagos in Nigeria, dabbling in front-end software development, and teaching myself Python and machine learning. I had no computer science background, no idea what the future held. But I knew I wanted to learn and to grow.
Getting accepted into the DSA summer school in Kenya in 2018 was my first international trip outside Nigeria. For the first time, I was in a room with people I admired, mentors whose work I aspired to emulate, and peers who would become lifelong collaborators. I remember sitting through tutorials on Python, computer vision, and being inspired by how accessible and practical everything felt. Even small moments, like walking through a Pandas notebook for the first time, stuck with me years later and shaped how I would approach programming, teaching, and problem-solving.
Beyond the technical skills, it was the people who made the biggest impact. I met mentors like computer scientist Sarah Hooker, whose guidance I still seek today, and peers who would become key allies in my journey. DSA didn’t just teach me machine learning; it opened doors and connected me to a supportive African AI community. I remember returning to Lagos and feeling inspired to create something bigger, something that could amplify this learning for others. That’s how AI Saturdays Lagos was born – a community initiative aimed at democratizing AI education, giving young Nigerians the tools and mentorship I was lucky to receive.
Since then, I’ve seen the impact firsthand. One participant joined our program with zero knowledge of AI, coming from a marine biology background. Through mentorship, persistence, and exposure to the right opportunities, she is now pursuing a fully funded PhD in computer science in the U.S., collaborating with top researchers, and interning at companies like Google DeepMind. Stories like hers remind me why community and mentorship matter.
My journey with DSA taught me that anything and everything is attainable if you keep putting in the work, reach out for mentorship, and seize opportunities. It showed me the importance of giving back, of creating spaces where African talent can thrive and lead. Today, I’m pursuing my PhD in Germany, co-organizing AI initiatives, and continuing to build communities that equip Africans to shape the future of AI on the continent.
DSA is a family. It connected me to people who believe in me, challenge me, and cheer for me, and it ignited a mission: to empower others, to lift as we climb, and to show that African-led AI innovation can thrive on a global stage.