Nigerian Oxford Student Starts Free Summer school in Kano, Creates Access to Top Global Varsities

Haruna Inuwa, from Kano State, Nigeria is currently pursuing a PhD in Energy Systems and Transition at the University of Oxford. He founded the FITILA summer school program designed to equip students with the skills, mentorship, and exposure needed to compete on the world stage, unlocking opportunities for bright students who dream of studying at […]

Haruna Inuwa, from Kano State, Nigeria is currently pursuing a PhD in Energy Systems and Transition at the University of Oxford. He founded the FITILA summer school program designed to equip students with the skills, mentorship, and exposure needed to compete on the world stage, unlocking opportunities for bright students who dream of studying at Oxford, Harvard, MIT, and other prestigious institutions.

In this interview with Daily Trust Newspaper, Haruna shares his inspiring journey from navigating the challenges of securing a world-class education to creating a pathway for others. He discusses the vision behind the summer school, the impact it’s making, and his hopes for the future of education in Nigeria.

Can you tell us more about this summer school and what inspired you to start it in Kano?

The Fitila Summer School is not just another holiday program; it’s a carefully architected Launchpad designed to ignite the latent potential of young minds in Kano State. Inspired by the transformative impact of world-leading institutions like MIT STEM and Oxford Colleges Summer Schools, we are pioneering a short-term, intensive academy that delivers quality education, hands-on projects, and crucial practical skills in STEM, literacy, and creative arts.

This initiative, potentially the first of its kind in Northern Nigeria, if not the entire nation, is driven by a profound belief in the brilliance within our youth. Having experienced firsthand the life-altering power of exceptional education – from my early days in Kano to my current studies at the University of Oxford, I know the untapped capabilities that exist here. Fitila Summer School is about providing the very platform these bright young individuals need to not only unlock their potential but also to connect with and learn from scholars at the world’s most prestigious universities, including Oxford, MIT, Harvard, and Cambridge.

What are the personal experiences that led you to create this initiative?

My journey is deeply rooted in Kano, a place that shaped my understanding of both the yearning for and the barriers to quality education. Growing up in a community facing significant socio-economic challenges, the dream of a world-class education often felt distant.

My own early struggle to even enroll in primary school, facing rejection at age three simply because local public schools lacked facilities for younger children, only intensified my thirst for knowledge. Despite sitting on the floor with limited resources, I excelled. This personal experience of navigating educational hurdles, coupled with the transformative impact of accessing top-tier education – becoming the first in my neighborhood to achieve a first-class degree, distinction in my Master’s, and admission to both Oxford and Cambridge on a full scholarship – fuels my unwavering commitment.

Founding “Inspire Young People,” my community NGO, where we have mentored over 200 youth and distributed 4,000 books, and developing a recognized sustainable energy model for Kano, are all expressions of this deep-seated passion. The Fitila Summer School is the next chapter in this commitment, a direct response to the need I witnessed and experienced, a bridge to the opportunities I was fortunate to find.

What is the curriculum or focus of the summer school?

The Fitila Summer Academy is a dynamic 3- to 4-week program meticulously designed for primary (ages 8-12) and high school (ages 13-18) students in Kano State. Our curriculum is strategically focused on building capacity in critical areas: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), Entrepreneurship, and Creative Arts. Inspired by global benchmarks like the MIT STEM Program and the Ashoka Youth Venture, our approach emphasizes hands-on projects and practical, low-cost activities that are both engaging and relevant to the local context of Kano.

We aim to address educational gaps, cultivate a spirit of innovation, and actively promote gender equity. The program will culminate in a vibrant community showcase, where students will present their projects, many of which are designed to contribute to local development.

How do you plan to fund this initiative, and what are your strategies for long-term financial sustainability?

Our vision is to make the Fitila Summer School accessible to all talented students, particularly those from marginalized communities, and therefore, the program is designed to be offered free of charge. Initially, funding will be a personal commitment, supplemented by potential sponsorships from forward-thinking educational institutions eager to partner with us by sponsoring their students.

We also welcome individual sponsorships from parents who recognize the immense value of this opportunity for their children. Looking ahead, our strategy for long-term sustainability involves building strong collaborations with key stakeholders: education champions, non-governmental organizations, and individuals who share our passion for advancing quality education in Nigeria.

By forging these partnerships, we aim to create a robust and enduring financial foundation that will allow the Fitila Summer School to thrive and expand its impact for years to come.

How will you measure the success and impact of the program?

While this inaugural year is a pilot, we have clear and ambitious metrics for success. We aim to see at least 80% of students demonstrably improve their skills in their chosen track. Beyond individual growth, we aspire to see 10 or more student projects adopted or scaled by local schools or the wider community, showcasing the practical impact of their learning.

A core commitment is to gender equity, with a target of 50% female participation and a measurable increase in their confidence within STEM and entrepreneurship. We also aim for strong community engagement, expecting over 100 parents and community members to actively participate in our showcase events.

Finally, to ensure lasting impact, we aim to facilitate the establishment of at least 5 student-led clubs to foster continued learning and collaboration beyond the summer program.

What are your projections for the growth and expansion of the summer school?

Our ambition for the Fitila Summer School extends far beyond this initial cohort. We envision this as the first step towards establishing a recurring and expanding platform for youth empowerment in Kano and potentially across Northern Nigeria.

In the short term, we aim to increase student intake year-on-year, diversify the program tracks based on evolving needs and interests, and deepen our partnerships with local and international institutions. Our long-term vision includes potentially establishing a year-round Fitila Impact Hub, offering continuous learning opportunities and mentorship.

We also aspire to develop a model that can be replicated in other underserved communities, creating a network of impactful educational initiatives that collectively contribute to a brighter future for Nigerian youth.

What specific outcomes or results do you hope to achieve through this initiative?

The Fitila Summer School is driven by a clear set of desired outcomes. Primarily, we aim to cultivate a tangible improvement in critical skills among our students, with a benchmark of 80% showing significant progress in their chosen area.

We want to move beyond theoretical learning and see student projects translate into real-world impact, with at least 10 projects being adopted or scaled within the community. Creating gender equity is paramount, and we aim for equal participation of girls, coupled with a boost in their confidence in traditionally male-dominated fields like STEM and entrepreneurship.

We believe in the power of community, and we aim to actively engage over 100 parents and community members in our program. Finally, our ultimate goal is to create a sustainable learning ecosystem, evidenced by the formation of at least five student-led clubs that will ensure the learning and collaboration continue long after the summer concludes. Ultimately, we hope to ignite a spark – a “fitila” – within these young minds that will illuminate their path towards future success and leadership.

What challenges have you faced so far in setting up the summer school, and how have you overcome them?

As with any pioneering initiative, we have encountered our share of challenges in establishing the Fitila Summer School. Limited resources have been a key consideration. To mitigate this, we are committed to utilizing low-cost, locally sourced materials and are actively seeking partnerships with schools to leverage their existing facilities as venues.

Addressing potential gender disparities requires a proactive approach; we are implementing targeted scholarship opportunities for girls and ensuring that our program features inspiring female role models in various fields.

Security concerns are paramount, and we are addressing these by implementing strict safety protocols and carefully selecting secure and accessible venues. Finally, we recognize potential parental skepticism towards new educational models. To overcome this, we are prioritizing clear and consistent communication, holding community meetings to explain the program’s value, and planning impactful showcase events where parents can witness firsthand the incredible achievements of their children.