In a stride toward investing in the Global tech ecosystem and empowering young tech talents, GAIA, in partnership with TeCETEL, has successfully trained and graduated 40 participants from its Mobile Application Development Bootcamp, with 25 standout participants securing internships.
The digital revolution has undoubtedly created incredible opportunities yet significant challenges, particularly for young people navigating an ever-evolving job market. To meet this challenge head-on, GAIA launched a dynamic and intensive 2-week Mobile Application Development Bootcamp to empower tech enthusiasts with in-demand tech skills, mentorship, and career-ready tools.
The bootcamp, which began on March 17th, 2025, brought together participants from across the globe and ended on a high note with a virtual graduation held on April 7th, 2025.
The program was offered completely free, breaking financial and geographical barriers to access high-quality technical education.
We believe important tech skills should be accessible to everyone, not just a few. That’s why we made sure our program reached learners from all backgrounds and geographical locations.
We’re not just training, we’re helping people gain real skills that can lead to better careers and a brighter future. By giving more people the tools to succeed in today’s tech-driven world, we’re helping build stronger careers, communities, and economies.
“We aim to create a marketplace in Africa where employers globally see Nigeria as a destination for these skills, similar to how people think of India for software engineers or China for hardware. I think we’ve created that awareness during this training.” – Coach IB
About the Bootcamp
The GAIA bootcamp was beyond training, it was a career accelerator. Over 80 hours of hands-on learning, students explored core areas of mobile app development, backend engineering, and AI integration.
Don’t just take our words for it; here’s what our participants had to say.
I am feeling more excited and confident than when I started. – Simba Pfaira – Bootcamp Participant
Abubakar Hassan reflected on his bootcamp experience, and he said:
“On Day 1, I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness—eager to learn but unsure of what to expect. Now, I feel more confident and comfortable with the development process. I’ve gained practical skills, a deeper understanding of Android development, and a stronger sense of accomplishment.”
Their words reflect the true essence of the Bootcamp, and we are excited to see how it unlocks their fullest potential and helps them confidently take the next step in their careers.
Key highlights of the curriculum included:
Chapter 1: Introduction to Ionic Frontend/Mobile Development
Chapter 2: State Management & API Integration
Chapter 3: Node.js & Backend Development
Chapter 4: AI Chatbot & Advanced Features
Chapter 5: Deployment & Career Growth
“I am glad to have participated in this bootcamp. It helped me not just hone my skill, but opened my mind to new possibilities in technology.”
— Bala Benjamin Haruna – Bootcamp Participant
A Truly Global Bootcamp
More than 1,400 participants signed up from all over the world, representing 14 countries across 4 continents. It was a great reminder to us that the desire to learn, grow, and build a future in tech knows no borders.
Participants joined from:
China, Dubai, Ghana, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Morocco, Netherlands, Niger, Nigeria, Philippines, South Africa, Tanzania, USA
Participants with 75%+ attendance
Out of the 40 participants who met the attendance requirements, 25 participants went above and beyond, completing every module and their final projects.
Their hard work and commitment earned them well-deserved graduation certificates, marking a milestone in their journey.
Among the standout achievements of our graduates, two final projects truly captured the spirit of innovation and personal drive that defined this bootcamp.
Ajibola Esosa turned a simple, everyday struggle into a thoughtful solution. Reflecting on his experience, he shared:
“During the course of this bootcamp, I would sit for 6 to 8 hours straight, and when I’d finally stand, I’d get leg cramps.”
This discomfort sparked the idea for his project; a “Take a Walk” reminder app, designed to gently encourage users to care for their well-being by taking timely movement breaks.
It’s a reminder that inspiration often comes from the most human of moments.
Simba Pfaira brought a unique finesse to her final project. She built an Ionic React app powered by an Express server and a MongoDB Atlas database, all hosted online via Render. But it’s more than just tech—it’s a space for connection.
Her application invites users from around the world to share their cooking experiences. Users can register, log in, add and browse recipes, search by ingredients, and even get meal ideas with the help of Gemini AI. It’s an interesting fusion of technology, food and community.
Trainer & Mentor Spotlight
Coach Ibrahim Dauda, GAIA’s founder and lead mentor. A Microsoft Certified Solutions Architect with over 21 years of IT experience, Coach Ibrahim has mentored and coached tech talents globally for more than a decade.
“The idea for the mobile development bootcamp is to train people, enable them to gain skills to find work, and empower themselves continuously, and in turn, empower others.”
— Coach Ibrahim Dauda
Empowering individuals through in-demand skill development is not just an educational goal; it’s a transformative strategy for sustainable growth.
The mobile development bootcamp was designed to do exactly that: to equip participants with in-demand technical skills, giving them the tools to find decent and meaningful work and build lasting careers.
But the true power of this initiative lies in its ripple effect. When individuals become skilled and self-reliant, they don’t just stop at personal success; they pass that knowledge forward, creating a multiplier effect in their communities and industries.
This cycle of continuous learning and mentorship builds resilient economies, fosters innovation, and elevates entire societies.
In a world where technology is advancing rapidly, programs like this ensure no one is left behind, and instead, everyone has the chance to thrive, grow, and make a real impact.
The bootcamp was driven by a team of trainers who brought their expertise and dedication to every session. Their commitment to the participants’ growth was evident in how they showed up, the hands-on support, and patience as they unlocked new skills and achieved their full potential.
In the words of Ahmed, the Lead Instructor of the Mobile App Development Bootcamp;
“I was honestly surprised by how quickly many of them picked up the things, especially those with no previous coding background and experience. Within just a few days, they were already building simple components, and by the end, most of them had like working apps they could call their own. The level of confidence they developed in such a short time really impressed me.”
Najeeb Yusuf, who played an instrumental role as the tech support and worked alongside the lead instructor, also attested to the impact of the bootcamp in such a short time. In his exact words;
“The bootcamp was a miracle because it was so short and the impact was so, so big. It has strengthened my belief that the timeline is not always the determinant of the success of a training.”
A Partnership That Powered Possibility: GAIA x TeCETEL
A key driver behind the success of this bootcamp was GAIA’s strategic collaboration with TeCETEL, a world-class Centre of Excellence for Technology-Enhanced Learning in Africa.
Founded in 2021, TeCETEL is a visionary institution promoting inclusive digital learning in Nigeria. With this partnership, TECETEL reinforced their commitment towards eliminating barriers in providing quality education and administration.
At the graduation, Dr. Ilesanmi Ajibola, director of TeCETEL, recounted the participants’ commitment to learning. He said
“Completing a boot camp is no small feat, and each of us has shown tremendous commitment to learn and to grow. The skill we acquired and even the friendship that we formed will, of course, form a valuable asset in our future endeavors.”
The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Education, Zaria, Dr. Suleiman Balarabe, honored us with his presence at the graduation. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to providing quality education to the younger generation—our future leaders. Dr. Balarabe also expressed his delight with the bootcamp, emphasizing how impactful and beneficial it has been and will continue to be in the long run.
Final Words
We’re proud of every participant who showed up through the seemingly intensive training and graduated with excellence. Here’s to continuing the mission of building inclusive, accessible, and impactful tech education around the globe.
“Keep learning, keep doing research, and believe in yourselves—you can do it. If I could do it starting in 2004, I’m sure everyone else can too.”
— Coach Ibrahim Dauda
Coach Ibrahim’s final words to you is a reminder that the journey to success is built on consistent learning. No matter where you start or how challenging the road ahead may seem, every step you take toward growth brings you closer to unlocking your full potential.
The truth is, opportunity favors those who are prepared, and the only way to stay prepared is to keep pushing yourself, keep evolving, and keep showing up for the future you hope to see.
What’s Next?
The next chapter of your journey starts now!
Following this successful bootcamp, GAIA is preparing to scale its impact with more immersive, high-impact tech programs in 2025 and in the coming years.
Take that bold step today, enroll in our second cohort for the Introduction to IT course, and begin transforming your future.
Your potential is limitless, and the time to act is NOW.
[ https://gaiacademy.org/intro-it-course/ ]
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