17-year-old Kano-born Abdulmuiz Iguda has spoken about how he invented three mobile applications following his passionate interest in coding and programming.

Abdulmuiz said he largely learnt on YouTube and Google before expanding to other learning and practice that is making him perfect in App creation.

He said he has created two apps which are available on Play Store and was working on the third app.

“I developed a special interest in ICT, particularly coding. My journey in the Artificial Intelligence-related area of technology began when I learned about coding on YouTube and Google, and also my participation in coders’ group chats via social media sites.

“Singlehandedly, I was soon able to come up with some apps that were later uploaded to Play Store.

“I learned the process from different places and all are from social media. Like I used to consult YouTube tutorials, Facebook groups, and WhatsApp platforms that are mainly concerned about how to create applications through coding and programming,” Abdulmuiz said.

With interest in coding and programming since childhood, the young boy said his future plan is to invent more applications including home automation apps, robotics and others that will cut across the world.

A graduate of Day Science Secondary School, Kofar Nasarawa in Kano, Abdulmuiz said he was using his mobile phone to create the app before getting his first laptop computer which he now uses.

In the last two years, the 17-year-old boy said he created three applications: Learn KIVY, ADVERTISEIT, VIPShow; while the first two are available on Play Store, the third is on its way.

He said: “Learn KIVY  is a software that teaches interested persons, especially young ones, how to start exploring the world of coding through understanding the programming language. It teaches mostly the know-how of Firefox to beginners and younger children.

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“The second one is ADVERTISEIT, and this is an online marketing app that allows people to sell and buy products from the comfort zone of their homes. The app provides online stores where they place their product and the prospective buyers’ visit and order.

“I am working on a more complex app named VIPShow (Very Important Persons’ Show). VIPShow is a social networking app that allows users to chat, comment, like, follow and share photographs, images, and videos with friends and the intended audiences.”

Abdulmuiz stated that his VIPShow can host over 200,000 concurrent connections, saying he is hoping to compete with world leading social media platforms.

He added that he paid $25 to create an account on the Play Store which later enabled him to upload his applications.

“Because my parents discovered that I have interest and talent in the coding and programming system, they always support me to do that. So, whatever is not beyond their earning they support me with it to pursue my ambition. They gave me $25 US dollars and I got my apps uploaded,” the 17-year-old boy said.

Abdulmuiz added that over 100 people have so far downloaded his Learn KIVY app and that he had disabled the ADVERTISEIT to allow him to improve it and merge it with the VIPShow to make it work better.

He, however, said his ambition is to become an IT specialist who will invent applications that will be useful across the world.

He said: “I work day and night to get things done better for myself and the future. So, I want to see myself as a big ICT consultant in the near future. I have the courage, interest and dedicated mind to do all these. Imagine if I become better than this in terms of age, knowledge, resources, and experience. I will surely do better.

“I also want to secure admission in the best universities that excel in AI, Machine Learning, and robotics, and establish an ICT hub that specializes in Coding, AI, and robotics.”

Abdulmuiz said he already sees his skills as a job spinner, calling for support of the government and the private sector to explore and expand.

“I will be glad if relevant authorities in Nigeria, NGOs, Organised Private Sector (OPS) and individuals would support my humble project to fruition.

“I will be useful in developing national initiatives towards making African youths coding friendly (coding for kids, coding simplified, coding YouTube classes) and as well work with the industry and experts for my personal development,” the 17-year-old boy stated.

The Star