Aba, Abia State — October 6, 2025.
The first-ever EdTech Indaba 2025, themed “Smart Learning for a Smart Future,” successfully held in Aba, Abia State, bringing together Nigeria’s brightest minds in education, technology, and innovation to discuss the transformative power of EdTech in shaping the future of learning.
Organized by Ashpot in collaboration with the Abia State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, and fully supported by the Abia State Ministry of Science and Technology, the summit gathered hundreds of teachers, students, school leaders, EdTech founders, and government representatives at one venue to explore how technology can revolutionize education in Nigeria and beyond.
The event was a vibrant celebration of creativity, innovation, and digital transformation in teaching and learning — marked by inspiring talks, practical workshops, interactive breakout sessions, live demos of cutting-edge products, and engaging competitions that showcased the power of technology in education.
A Vision Born from a Passion for Change
The idea for the EdTech Indaba was conceived by Ashpot, a technology company based in Aba, Nigeria, with a strong track record in developing digital solutions for education and business.
According to Psalms Kalu, CEO of Ashpot and Convener of the EdTech Indaba, the summit was birthed out of the desire to create a platform where educators and technologists could collaborate, learn, and share innovative ideas to modernize the Nigerian classroom.
“Education is the foundation of national development,” said Kalu. “We cannot talk about building a smart future without first building smart classrooms and smart teachers. The EdTech Indaba is a rallying point for educators to understand how technology can make learning more effective, inclusive, and engaging.”
The summit’s theme, “Smart Learning for a Smart Future,” captured the spirit of the event — a call to embrace innovation in teaching and learning as a pathway to preparing students for a rapidly evolving digital world.
The Opening Session: Setting the Stage for Smart Learning
The event kicked off promptly at 10:00 a.m., with a workshop session on “Introduction to Artificial Intelligence for Teachers” facilitated by Precious Onyemachi, an experienced educator and digital learning expert.
This hands-on session introduced teachers to the basics of AI and its applications in education — from automating lesson planning to using AI-driven platforms for personalized learning. Participants learned how simple AI tools could make classroom instruction smarter, faster, and more tailored to individual students.
By the end of the session, many teachers expressed newfound excitement about AI, realizing that it was not a far-fetched futuristic idea but a tool already within their reach.
“I never thought AI could be this relatable,” said Mrs. Ada Nwoke, a teacher from Umuahia. “Now I know how to use ChatGPT and other AI tools to generate lesson plans and improve classroom assessments.”
Welcome Address and Keynote Session: A Call for Educational Innovation
Following the workshop, the Welcome Address was delivered by Psalms Kalu, who officially declared the event open. His address centered on the summit’s theme — urging teachers to think differently, adopt new tools, and see technology as a friend rather than a threat.
He noted that the success of Nigeria’s education sector depends largely on how teachers and institutions adopt technology.
“Smart learning is not about gadgets; it’s about mindset,” Kalu emphasized. “If we change how we think about education, we can change how we teach — and that will change what our students become.”
The highlight of the morning session was the Keynote Address delivered by the Honorable Commissioner for Science and Technology, Dr David Kalu, who commended Ashpot for the initiative and reaffirmed the state government’s support for innovation in education.
In his address, the Commissioner noted that the Abia State Government is committed to creating an environment where technology-driven education can thrive. He announced new initiatives aimed at training teachers and providing digital resources to schools in rural and urban areas alike.
“The EdTech Indaba aligns perfectly with our vision,” he said. “We are building an Abia where every child, no matter their background, can have access to quality education powered by technology. This summit is a strong step in that direction.”
Another resource person, Mr Frank Onyekachi of Frankbotics Technologies, spoke on the "Artificial Intelligence in Education: Driving Teacher Efficiency, Student Success, and Smarter School Administration", addressed how Artificial Intelligence can provide an exclusive solution in every aspect of education from teaching to administration.
Unveiling of EarlyStart: Coding Made Fun for Kids
One of the most anticipated moments of the day was the unveiling of EarlyStart, a new mobile app developed by Ashpot to introduce children to coding through interactive storytelling and gamified lessons.
The app, designed for children between ages 6 and 17, simplifies programming concepts into bite-sized challenges, helping students learn coding logic, problem-solving, and creativity in a playful way.
As part of the unveiling, a short video demonstration was played, showing how EarlyStart enables kids to build simple animations, create mini-games, and learn the basics of algorithms using fun characters and colorful interfaces.
The unveiling received an enthusiastic response from the audience, particularly teachers who saw its potential for use in primary and secondary schools.
“EarlyStart is the kind of tool we’ve been waiting for,” said Mr. Chijioke Emmanuel, a STEM teacher from Aba. “It’s engaging, age-appropriate, and aligns with modern learning goals. I can’t wait to introduce it to my students.”
Live Demo: Schoolzy – Making School Management Smarter
Following the EarlyStart unveiling was a live demonstration of Schoolzy, Ashpot’s flagship school management software, presented by Udoka Ubong.
Schoolzy is an all-in-one solution that helps schools manage classes, exams, finances, staff, parents, and communication in one digital ecosystem. The demo illustrated how Schoolzy streamlines operations and provides powerful analytics that help administrators make data-driven decisions.
Participants were impressed by its simplicity, mobile-friendliness, and adaptability to different school types.
“We built Schoolzy for African schools,” Udoka explained. “Whether you’re managing a nursery school or a full college, the platform adjusts to your structure. It’s school management made easy.”
Interactive Sessions, Workshops, and Breakout Rooms
After lunch, the event transitioned into a series of interactive workshops and breakout sessions that gave participants a chance to learn specific digital skills.
Some of the sessions included:
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“Getting Started with Google Classroom: Creating and Managing Your First Virtual Class” – facilitated by Levi Nzubechi
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“Smart Lesson Planning with Google Keep and Google Calendar” – by Precious Onyemachi
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“Building Your Professional Brand as a Teacher with LinkedIn” – by Nmachi Umezuruike
These sessions were hands-on and participants followed along with their smartphones and laptops, learning to apply the tools directly in real-time.
Panel and Speaker Sessions: Voices of Innovation
The summit also featured engaging speaker sessions where thought leaders in education technology shared insights on innovation, digital literacy, and the future of work.
Speakers discussed the challenges of integrating technology in low-resource schools, the need for teacher training, and how government policy can support sustainable innovation.
A highlight of this segment was a panel discussion where educators and entrepreneurs shared real-life success stories of digital adoption in Nigerian schools. The panel emphasized collaboration between teachers, tech startups, and government agencies as the key to meaningful change.
The Blooket EdTech Quiz: Learning Through Fun
Adding a dose of excitement to the summit, the Blooket EdTech Quiz session got the crowd buzzing with friendly competition.
Teachers and students formed teams to answer questions on technology, education trends, and digital literacy. The session blended learning and fun perfectly — as participants laughed, debated, and cheered through each round.
Winners were awarded Wi-Fi routers, laptops, and other tech gadgets, courtesy of Ashpot and supporting partners. The atmosphere was electric as the prizes were handed out, symbolizing both achievement and motivation for continuous learning.
“I didn’t expect to win anything,” said Mr Kelechi Azubuike, one of the quiz winners. who was awarded a brand new HP 7th generation laptop. “But beyond the prize, I learned a lot about educational tools I never knew existed.”
Media Presence: Magic FM and Enyimba FM Bring the Indaba to the Airwaves
Two of Aba’s most influential radio stations — Magic FM and Enyimba FM — were on-site to cover the event live. They conducted interviews with key participants, captured audience reactions, and broadcasted real-time updates, ensuring that even those who couldn’t attend in person could tune in to the discussions.
The radio hosts lauded Ashpot’s vision, describing the EdTech Indaba as “a timely intervention for Nigeria’s education sector.”
Looking Ahead: The Teachers’ Digital Literacy Bootcamp
At the close of the event, Ashpot announced the Teachers’ Digital Literacy Bootcamp, a three-week post-summit training designed to help teachers build stronger digital skills.
The program will include online learning sessions, self-paced digital projects, and weekly check-ins, ensuring that teachers not only learn tools but master their application in the classroom.
“The summit was the beginning,” said Psalms Kalu in his closing remarks. “The real transformation happens when teachers return to their classrooms and begin applying what they’ve learned.”
Closing Ceremony: A Celebration of Progress
The event ended on a high note with a final prayer, certificates of participation, and group photographs capturing the smiles and energy of the day.
Teachers, students, and guests lingered afterward — networking, sharing contacts, and brainstorming new ideas for digital collaboration.
For many, the EdTech Indaba 2025 was more than a conference — it was a community experience that sparked new dreams of what education could become.
Key Outcomes and Impact
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Increased Awareness: Over one hundred teachers gained firsthand experience with digital tools for smart learning.
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Government Commitment: The presence and participation of the Abia State Commissioner for Science and Technology reaffirmed state-level commitment to EdTech.
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Teacher Empowerment: Participants left inspired to integrate technology into daily classroom teaching.
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Product Launches: EarlyStart and Schoolzy were officially unveiled, positioning Ashpot as a leader in Nigeria’s EdTech landscape.
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Media Amplification: Broad radio coverage through Magic FM and Enyimba FM extended the summit’s reach to thousands of listeners.
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Future Pipeline: The Teachers’ Bootcamp and partnerships formed at the summit set the stage for ongoing professional development in education.
About Ashpot
Ashpot is a Nigerian technology company focused on building digital solutions for education, enterprise, and community empowerment. Its flagship products include Schoolzy, a complete school management system, and EarlyStart, a coding app for kids that makes learning to code fun and accessible.
Through its initiatives, Ashpot is driving digital transformation across schools, empowering teachers, and shaping the next generation of smart learners.
Conclusion
The success of The EdTech Indaba 2025 has cemented its place as a landmark event in Nigeria’s education and technology space.
More than just an event, it has become a movement — one that connects classrooms, communities, and innovators with a shared vision: building a smart learning culture that prepares young Nigerians for a smart future.
As the applause fades and participants return to their schools, the conversation continues — in classrooms, online groups, and new collaborations born out of this historic summit.
The message remains clear: the future of education is smart, and it starts now.