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From CDEC Winner to Tech Innovator: The Inspiring Journey of Toluwase Shoniran, a SystemSpecs CDEC Ambassador

 

 

 

 

From CDEC Winner to Tech Innovator: The Inspiring Journey of Toluwase Shoniran, a SystemSpecs CDEC Ambassador

 It feels like a full-circle moment, reflecting on how far I’ve come since winning third place in your inaugural Children’s Day Essay Competition back in 2020. That competition was more than a moment for me—it was a launchpad – Toluwase Shoniran

In 2020, amidst the global uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, SystemSpecs launched the maiden edition of the Children’s Day Essay Competition (CDEC), giving young Nigerians a voice and a platform to envision a better future. Toluwase Shoniran, then a student at Baptist Academy Obanikoro, emerged as the third-place winner in the senior category with an essay that showcased his bold dreams for Nigeria’s technological advancement.

In 2020, during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, SystemSpecs launched the Children’s Day Essay Competition (CDEC) to empower young Nigerians with a platform to express their ideas and aspirations for a better future. Amidst the global uncertainty, this initiative became a beacon of hope, inspiring creativity and forward-thinking among the nation’s youth. That year, Toluwase Shoniran, then a student at Baptist Academy, Obanikoro, distinguished himself as the third-place winner in the senior category. His essay boldly envisioned Nigeria’s technological advancement, reflecting the innovation and ambition that CDEC seeks to nurture.

 

CDEC: Planting Seeds of Innovation for National Growth

CDEC was conceived as more than just an annual competition; it is SystemSpecs’ deliberate investment in the future of Nigeria by nurturing young talent. As a leading technology company, SystemSpecs recognizes that the nation’s future hinges on the ability to foster tech awareness, digital literacy, and innovation among young minds. Over the past six years, CDEC has grown into a beacon of hope, inspiring young Nigerians to think creatively and embrace technology as a tool for national development.

The inaugural 2020 competition, themed “Nigeria of My Dream: Making It Happen with Technology,” saw hundreds of submissions from brilliant young minds across the country. Toluwase’s essay was one of the outstanding entries, not just for its content, but for its clear vision of a tech-driven Nigeria.

“CDEC is our way of saying to young Nigerians: your dreams matter, your ideas count, and your potential is limitless,” shares Bukola Adeboye, Executive Director, Corporate Services at SystemSpecs. “It is about planting seeds today for a harvest of innovators, leaders, and change-makers tomorrow.”

 

Toluwase’s Remarkable Journey Post-CDEC

Winning CDEC marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey for Toluwase. Graduating in 2021 as the best UTME candidate and one of the top five performers in WASSCE at in his school, he secured admission to study Computer Engineering at the University of Lagos. His academic prowess was matched by curiosity and passion for technology.

In his own words:

After that unforgettable experience, I graduated from Baptist Academy Obanikoro in 2021 as the best UTME candidate and among the top five best performers in WASSCE. I’m now in my third year at the University of Lagos, studying Computer Engineering.

 “CDEC didn’t just reward me; it challenged me to push boundaries. Through it all, I’ve never forgotten where it started. That tablet you gave me in 2020 wasn’t just a prize—it was the spark. I still have it, and it’s been my constant companion, helping me dive into Python right after secondary school. That skill opened doors I didn’t even know existed, guiding me down the path to data science and machine learning.

Toluwase also quickly distinguished himself in the tech community:

  • Google Developer Student Club: Volunteered as a core team member and tutor.
  • Engineering Career Expo: Served as Deputy Team Lead for Sponsorship and Finance.
  • The Industry Discourse (TID) Datathon 2023: Led his team to victory with “Perihelion,” a GIS-powered solution for rural electrification.
  • Diceytech Datathon 2023: Excelled with Team HIIT, achieving the highest score in the Data Science category.

But it hasn’t just been about academics. Along the way, I have nurtured a passion for finance, economics, machine learning, data science, AI, and reinforcement learning. I’ve had the chance to explore these interests in and out of the classroom, from volunteering as a core team member and tutor at the Google Developer Student Club to my current role as Deputy Team Lead of Sponsorship and Finance at the Engineering Career Expo. It’s been an incredible ride so far.

 One highlight was leading my team to victory at The Industry Discourse (TID) Datathon in July 2023. Our project, “Perihelion,” used GIS data to pinpoint the best locations for solar minigrids to drive rural electrification. Later that year, I joined Team HIIT at the 2023 Diceytech Datathon, where we dominated the Data Science task (scoring the highest!) and finished as one of the top teams overall.

 Today, Toluwase is the founder of Clariphi, a startup leveraging AI to help organizations enhance knowledge management and accelerate growth.

Who knew a single device could have such an impact? Now, I’m channeling all of that into something even bigger – my newly incorporated startup, Clariphi. We’re building solutions to help organizations supercharge their knowledge bases and accelerate growth with AI. It’s bold, it’s exciting, and it feels like the culmination of everything I’ve worked towards.

 

The SystemSpecs Touch: Impact Beyond the Competition

Toluwase’s story is one of many testaments to CDEC’s lasting impact. The competition is not merely a contest; it is a catalyst for transformation. SystemSpecs has consistently invested in capacity building through various initiatives, including offering internships and NYSC placements, ensuring that young talents gain hands-on experience, mentorship, and the skills necessary to excel in their careers.

“We believe that young minds, when empowered, can change the narrative for Nigeria. Toluwase’s journey from a CDEC winner to a tech innovator underscores the importance of investing in youth,” says Mrs. Adeboye.

The sixth edition of CDEC, themed “How I Would Use Technology to Mobilize My Peers for a Greater Nigeria,” invites entries from students aged 9 to 16 to explore the capabilities of Tech as a tool for positive peer engagement. Submissions are open until April 11, 2025 via systemspecs.com.ng/2025-essay-competition.

 

A Full-Circle Moment: Giving Back to SystemSpecs

As Toluwase approaches his fourth-year industrial attachment, he expresses a deep desire to contribute to SystemSpecs.

I’m also incredibly proud of your continued commitment to empowering young minds, like the amazing Ekemini Effiong-Roberts, the 2022 winner of CDEC, and a close friend I mentored during that edition. It’s inspiring to see how far your impact reaches, and I’d love to support the initiative however I can. It would be an honor to give back to the organization that gave me my start. I’m eager to contribute my skills and learn from the best,” he shares enthusiastically.

At SystemSpecs, we are excited about Toluwase’s journey and the prospect of working with him during his internship. Our commitment to capacity building, nurturing young talents, and raising tech leaders remains unwavering. We believe that by investing in the youth, we are investing in Nigeria’s future.

Toluwase’s journey is a reminder that with the right support, young Nigerians can achieve greatness. SystemSpecs remains committed to this cause and we look forward to supporting his growth and development.

The SystemSpecs’ CDEC continues to provide an opportunity for our stakeholders to shape a legacy of innovation, empowerment, and transformation. By investing in young minds today, we lay the foundation for a future where Nigeria emerges as a global leader in technology, driving sustainable growth in our economy, communities, and beyond.