Six-year-old Nigerian student, Damilare Akano, has achieved the remarkable feat of becoming Africa’s youngest Microsoft specialist, earning a Certiport international certification. This impressive accomplishment came after he surpassed over 200 students who participated in ‘Nextgen IT Experts’, a month-long summer camp organized by New Horizons.

Tim Akano, the Managing Director of New Horizons, expressed that Damilare’s success was not unexpected and truly embodies the standard of excellence for which New Horizons is renowned. He highlighted the organization’s significant role in shaping Nigeria’s ICT workforce, stating, “Over 75 per cent of those who work in the ICT departments of corporate Nigeria today passed through New Horizons training either in our partnering universities or in one of our training centres across Nigeria. We are happy to have solved one problem for Nigeria.”

During the ‘Nextgen IT Experts’ summer camp, young participants were immersed in a simulated work environment designed to provide practical experience. The curriculum was extensive, covering a wide array of skills including Microsoft Office-based applications, Multimedia, Robotics Engineering, Drone Technology, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and Coding. The program incorporated industry-leading assessments utilizing Microsoft’s innovative project-based testing, which offered students and professionals real-world exercises to thoroughly evaluate their comprehension of Microsoft Office.

Damilare Akano, a primary one student at Scholar Crest International, Lagos, particularly distinguished himself in the Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2016 examination. Displaying superb knowledge, he secured the top position with an outstanding score of 871 out of 1000 points. Following closely were 10-year-old Master Toluwalese Kwaku in second place with 825 points, and 8-year-old Master Kolawole Akano in third with 800 points.

With this achievement, Damilare Akano officially became the youngest in Africa in 2019 to attain such a professional qualification from Microsoft. New Horizons further noted that he is also one of the youngest individuals worldwide to achieve this distinction. The certification guarantees that every certified user has demonstrated comprehensive command over the full features and functionality of Microsoft Office, thereby preparing them effectively for future academic pursuits or workforce opportunities.

Akano’s exceptional accomplishment has garnered widespread recognition and acclaim from both the press and the general public. This feat is expected to greatly motivate other young students, providing inspiration to delve deeper into the world of technology. Programs such as ‘Nextgen IT Experts’ are crucial, potentially serving as the spark that the next generation of Nigerian youths and students need to empower them to confidently chart their own course within the dynamic tech space.