UI Don Develops KoEDE App to Revive Yoruba Language Learning Among Children

Computer scientist at the University of Ibadan (UI), Dr. Ronke Sakpere

UI Don Develops KoEDE App to Revive Yoruba Language Learning Among Children

A computer scientist at the University of Ibadan (UI), Dr. Ronke Sakpere, has developed a mobile application, KoEDE, aimed at strengthening Yoruba language learning among children through gamified digital tools and innovative pedagogy.

Sakpere disclosed this in Ibadan while speaking on the motivation behind the project, noting that the initiative responds to growing concerns about the decline in fluency in indigenous languages among Nigerian children, especially in urban areas where English dominates communication at home and in schools.

Addressing Declining Indigenous Language Fluency

Nigeria is home to over 500 indigenous languages, yet experts have continued to warn about weakening intergenerational transmission, as many children increasingly struggle to speak their mother tongues fluently.

Although the National Policy on Education recommends the use of mother tongue instruction in the early years of schooling, implementation has remained inconsistent due to structural, curriculum, and resource challenges.

Dr. Sakpere explained that the idea for KoEDE was conceived in 2022 during her participation in the Empowering The Teacher (ETT) Fellowship Programme at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), United States.

“I enrolled in a technology design course at the MIT Media Lab, which required us to develop a project. After reflection, I realised that many children back home do not speak their native languages fluently,” she said.

Gamification and Constructivist Learning Approach

According to Sakpere, KoEDE was built using gamification principles and constructivist pedagogy, making language learning interactive, engaging, and learner-centred.

The app features:

Puzzles and word games
Sentence formation exercises
Touch-and-drag interactive tasks
Structured learning across beginner, intermediate, and expert levels
Audio pronunciation guides and visual illustrations

She explained that the app includes a reward-based system, where learners earn points for correct answers. Unlike traditional rigid assessment models, it does not heavily penalise wrong responses, encouraging sustained participation and confidence-building.

“It also allows learners to study at their own pace, supported with visuals and audio to strengthen pronunciation and comprehension,” she noted.

Collaboration and Funding Support

The final phase of the four-year development project was executed in collaboration with the Yoruba Centre, University of Ibadan, an institution renowned for teaching Yoruba both locally and internationally.

Sakpere revealed that the project initially faced funding constraints until 2024, when it received a grant from AlumNode, under the auspices of the Klaus Tschira Stiftung, a German foundation. She described the funding as critical in enhancing the app’s technical infrastructure and covering human resource costs.

Public Launch and Future Expansion

The KoEDE app has been uploaded to the Google Play Store and has undergone internal testing by more than 20 students ahead of its official public launch scheduled for February 23.

Currently focused on Yoruba language education, Sakpere disclosed plans to expand the platform to other major Nigerian languages, including Igbo and Hausa, in subsequent versions.

“In the next version, we hope to introduce synchronous learning features that will allow learners to interact in real time. We also intend to integrate relevant Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to personalise learning,” she said.

Strengthening Indigenous Languages Through EdTech

Education stakeholders say initiatives like KoEDE highlight the growing role of Educational Technology (EdTech) in preserving indigenous languages and promoting cultural identity in a rapidly digitising world.

By combining technology, pedagogy, and cultural heritage, KoEDE represents a significant step toward ensuring that the Yoruba language remains vibrant and accessible to younger generations.