As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Premiere Academy, Abuja, has hosted the 2026 edition of its Annual Technology Leadership Fair, an inter-school technology and innovation summit that offers primary school pupils, especially budding information technology enthusiasts in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) a platform to improve their knowledge level, and showcase their skills and outputs.
Designed to contribute to the full realisation of Article Four of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals which centres on Quality Education, the Annual Premiere Academy Technology Leadership Fair seeks to concretize the importance of inculcating modern technology trends into present day education to enhance sustainable growth.
The theme of this year’s edition was “Artificial Intelligence: Is it Making Children Smarter or Lazier? Should Pupils Learn How AI Works Before Leaving Primary School?”. It featured, as a major highlight, an inter-school technology debate in which brilliant young debaters drawn from primary schools across the FCT engaged in thoughtful arguments, evidence-based reasoning, and forward-looking perspectives on how artificial intelligence is shaping learning and intellectual development.
The participating schools included Lakeland School, Destiny Christian Academy, Focus Academy, Joachcare Academy, Living Fountain International School and Val De Mauris Academy, among others.
The event also paraded other notable segments such as talks, exhibition and networking.
In his keynote remarks towards the close of the event, Principal of the School, Mr. Chris Akinsowon, stressed the profound impact which education can have on shaping the future by nurturing young minds and fostering their passion for innovation.
According to him, Innovation in education is not only about adopting new tools but largely about shaping how young minds think about the future.
”Helping pupils to develop a strong foundation in technology from an early age is an important role of education as a means of empowering young minds to harness the power of technology for positive societal changes and sustainable development,
“From AI to data science, the possibilities for personal and societal rejuvenation are endless. It is therefore left to us, as parents and talent moulders, to inspire the next generation of innovators so as to unlock their full potential”, he enthused.
Mr. Akinsonwon praised each participating school for canvassing remarkable insights, reinforcing the idea that the next generation is more than ready to participate in conversations shaping the future of education and technology.
He described the contest as more than a Debate but a vision in action. He said Premiere Academy’s investments in hosting the debate contest was not a one-off event but a reflection of the School’s nobler and broader philosophy of preparing students for a world driven by innovation, inquiry, and intelligent technology.
”By creating platforms where students analyze emerging technologies rather than passively consume them, we are cultivating thinkers, problem-solvers, and future leaders who can engage confidently with global advancements.
”In today’s rapidly evolving world, exposure matters and we must intentionally introduce students to conversations about artificial intelligence, ethics, and technological literacy to make them count among those who are ready and empowered as tomorrow’s changemakers.”
He pledged that Premiere Academy would continue to stand at the intersection of education and innovation, to regularly offer students experiences that move learning beyond textbooks into real-world relevance because, in his words, “the future belongs to students who understand it before they step into it”.
In another development, Premiere Academy and the Nigerian Info 95.1 FM have partnered to mark the 2026 edition of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science with a Live programme featuring students of the Abuja School as guests.
The students, Sodiq Shukurat, Mutfwang Larissa and Sopirinye Jaja, were hosted as guests on a Nigeria Info 95.1 FM Live discussion programme to share thoughtful perspectives on the theme of this year’s celebration, reflecting on how the integration of artificial intelligence, social science, STEM, and finance can shape a more inclusive future for young women.
The students also spoke about the school’s commitment to empowering girls through quality education, innovation-driven learning, and opportunities that build confidence in scientific and technological fields.
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is globally dedicated to promoting full and equal access to participation in science for women and girls. The 2026 edition which held on Wednesday February 11, with the theme, “Synergizing AI, Social Science, STEM and Finance: Building Inclusive Futures for Women and Girls,” highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing inequality and advancing sustainable development.
FCT-based Girl-child Rights activist, Joan Adiukwu, observed that the students’ on-air contributions demonstrated clarity of thought, intellectual curiosity, and a strong sense of purpose which reflected and reinforced the importance of nurturing young female voices in conversations that shape the future of science and society.
”The students’ outstanding performances served not only as a celebration of the global observance but also as a proof to the impact of intentional academic environments that encourage girls to explore, question, and lead in science-related disciplines,” she submitted.
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