How a 400-Level Nigerian Student is Building Nigeria’s Next Social Network

Abdulhameed Ugbede Yakubu is only 20 years old, but he is already proving that young Nigerians can use digital skills to turn big ideas into reality. He is a 400-level software engineering student at Bayero University, Kano, and today, he is working on what he hopes will become Nigeria’s next big social networking platform.

His journey started early this year when, through his scholarship, he was introduced to the MTN Skills Academy – a free online platform that teaches digital and financial skills. As part of his scholarship requirements, Abdulhameed was meant to take four courses. However, he went the extra mile and completed six, including courses designed by Google and Meta.

One course that stood out for him was the beginner module by Meta. “It was beneficial in teaching me navigation concepts for my project,” he explained. “The course used simple JavaScript and explained things in a way I did not see on YouTube.”

What he loved most about the platform was its flexibility. Sometimes he studied on his phone, other times on his laptop. At night, when the network was stronger, he would continue his lessons, determined to master the skills.

Today, Abdulhameed is applying all he has learned to build apps that solve real problems. He is primarily focused on software that protects users’ privacy and promotes authentic communication. “The platform gave me the foundation I needed to design better user interfaces,” he said.

However, the journey has not been without challenges. Like many students in Nigeria, internet data has been a big problem. “The platform uses many data, even my friends complained. If there were a special data plan for platforms like this, it would help a lot,” he admitted.

Despite this, he remains positive. He has been recommending the academy to other students. “I tell people about it because it works. The courses are practical, and you can use the knowledge immediately,” he said.

Abdulhameed’s story is proof that when young Nigerians are given the right tools, they can achieve great things. His accomplishment is proof that practical digital skills can complement classroom learning and open doors to the future. “If you are serious about learning something real, this is a great place to start,” he advised fellow students.