Nigerian Kids Get AI-Powered Folktale Coloring Books

Children in underserved Lagos communities are getting something many classrooms lack: coloring books that celebrate their own culture, powered by artificial intelligence.

Slum2School Africa partnered with Google to create "Stories from Our Home," a coloring book featuring Nigerian folktales and cultural stories. The project launched Tuesday at the Slum2School Innovation Hub in Lekki, where excited pupils participated in storytelling sessions and coloring competitions.

The book came to life through an "Imagination Workshop" where Nigerian comedians and actors shared childhood memories and traditional stories. Comedian Broda Shaggi led the creative team alongside entertainers Falz, Layi Wasabi, and Tobi Bakre. Google's Gemini AI then transformed these narratives into vibrant illustrations designed for young learners.

Inside the pages, children discover stories about Queen Moremi, the historic Walls of Benin, the Rivers Niger and Benue, and traditional celebrations like the Argungu Fishing Festival and New Yam Festival. These aren't foreign fairy tales but stories from their own backyard.

"Many of you know stories from other countries, but today we are giving you something that will help you learn about your own heritage," Slum2School founder Otto Orondaam told the children at the launch.

The gap this fills is real. Many Nigerian nursery classrooms lack basic creative tools like coloring books and crayons. Students learn without the hands-on materials that make education engaging.

The Ripple Effect

Each of the 1,000 children receiving the book also gets a "Dream Pack" containing crayons, notebooks, pencils, and other school supplies. It's a complete toolkit for creative learning, not just a single resource.

Broda Shaggi knows firsthand what this means. "I know what it feels like to grow up without these things," he said. "Being part of this project and seeing 1,000 packs go into the hands of these children means everything to me."

The launch event brought together representatives from Google Nigeria and UNESCO, highlighting how technology can serve cultural preservation. Actresses Nancy Isime and Bisola Aiyeola led storytelling sessions, bringing the tales to life before children picked up their crayons to add their own colors.

This is just the beginning: Slum2School plans future editions featuring more Nigerian storytellers and creatives, ensuring the next generation grows up knowing where they come from.