Emmanuella Mayaki, a 15-year-old Nigerian tech prodigy, is transforming the tech space in the diaspora. At age 13, she gained admission to Mary Baldwin University in the United States through the Programme for the Exceptionally Gifted, becoming one of the youngest Africans to achieve such a feat. Now, as a teen university student, Mayaki is on a mission to empower youth, especially girls, to embrace technology and make their mark in the world.
Mayaki’s fascination with technology began early in her childhood in Nigeria. Growing up, she was curious about computers and digital systems, which sparked her love for tech. Supported by her family, she began exploring programming languages at a young age. By 9, she had mastered Microsoft Office programs and started learning coding languages- the kinds many adults found challenging. She got the media’s attention when she built a free mobile app and website to teach ICT skills.
“I started using computers at the age of six. I was really interested in coding and fascinated by how you could create a lot of things with just minor codes and computer languages. That’s when I knew coding was for me,” she tells Channels Television.
At 13, she gained admission to Mary Baldwin University, where she is currently studying Computer Science through the Programme for the Exceptionally Gifted. However, before her admission to the States, Emmanuella, at 11 years old, took on a teaching role in the UK, teaching her peers digital skills, including Microsoft Office programs and introductory coding.
“My Dad and I found a place where I could learn Python and Java. After the FunTech experience, I went back to school. A teacher found out about my coding skills and wanted me to teach a group of students. We made fast progress.,” she said.
CodeKid ICT academy
Mayaki founded her ICT academy, “CodeKid,” in Abuja, Nigeria. This academy focuses on teaching coding and digital literacy, particularly to young girls. Through this ICT academy, she wants to bridge the digital skills gap in Nigeria by providing young learners with valuable tech knowledge. She considers herself privileged to have early access to opportunities and hopes the government can contribute to creating this opportunity for other young Nigerians.
The ambitious, talented, and impactful 15-year-old tech genius, now in love with tech, hopes to enter more advanced tech fields like machine learning and Artificial Intelligence. With young innovators like her leading the way, the future of technology in Africa is in safe hands.
