In a vibrant showcase of youthful ingenuity and purpose-driven ambition, the Teesas Summer School culminated with a dynamic pitchathon on Friday, 29 August, that brought together some of Nigeria’s brightest teens. Held across two venues in Lekki and Ikeja, the summer school ran two cohorts of three weeks each between July and August, and students aged 13 to 18 immersed themselves in a transformative learning experience that integrated entrepreneurial thinking, personal development, and academics. The result was a competition that celebrated ambitious ideas, a collaborative spirit, and the power of education to shape future changemakers.
The pitchathon featured a distinguished panel of judges, including Osayi Izedonmwen, Chairman and Founder of Teesas Education; Iyinoluwa Aboyeji OON, Co-founder of Andela and former Managing Director of Flutterwave; and a representative from a leading commercial bank.
The teens who made their presentations in groups demonstrated a desire to solve real Nigerian problems ranging from transportation to education, fashion and finance. Among the most notable ideas presented were a ride-hailing service aimed at providing greener and more affordable transportation, a “mess-free” pet care service, a recruitment service, a mentorship service, a bespoke fashion service and an education social enterprise desirous of addressing learning gaps of 15 million out-of-school children through tech-driven solutions. Also noteworthy was the infusion of technology in all the ideas presented. From ordering a bespoke retro outfit on an app to linking to a mentor to improve employability, the teens showed how technology can be integrated into every walk of life.
Izedonmwen expressed satisfaction with the summer school. He remarked, “These young individuals have demonstrated not only creativity but also an impressive understanding of the challenges our society faces. Their innovative solutions and the passion behind them are truly inspiring.” Aboyeji was likewise impressed by the drive shown by the youngsters.
The event was not merely a competition, but a celebration of learning and growth. Each group received feedback from the judges to help them refine their ideas and further develop their entrepreneurial skills. Younger children aged 8 to 12 had earlier submitted short video pitches, which were opened to public voting.
Beyond the pitches, soft skills learned as part of ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens’ enabled team collaboration, built their confidence and articulation, as they stood in front of the panel to sell their ideas. The emphasis on personal development was as crucial as the technical training, ensuring that these young innovators could communicate their visions effectively and work cohesively within their groups. Through this holistic approach to education, the Teesas Summer School once again proved its commitment to whole-child transformation and grooming of future leaders and innovators. Additionally, there were awards for the most punctual, engaging, amiable and inquisitive students across both cohorts and both venues.
The finale event concluded with a palpable sense of excitement and optimism in the air. Parents and mentors in attendance were visibly proud of their children’s achievements, highlighting the importance of nurturing young minds and encouraging them to think outside the box.
As the children return to their regular academic pursuits, after-school coaching continues at Teesas Learning Centres. Teesas Education offers comprehensive examination preparation programmes for a wide range of assessments, including WAEC, UTME, Post-UTME, IGCSE, GRE, GCE, IELTS, GMAT, SAT, and secondary school common entrance exams. Visit www.teesas.com to learn more.
