Student & Founder, Mun lya
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University
Deborah Fashida is a Mechatronics and Systems Engineering student at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, passionate about technology, sustainability, and expanding opportunities for young people.
She was a global finalist in the Schmidt Futures RISE competition for a project supporting digital learning for students with disabilities and previously represented Nigeria in the U.S. through the Kennedy-Lugar YES Program.
In 2023, Deborah founded Mun lya ("We Can"), a digital inclusion initiative training young people with disabilities in computer and coding skills, and later co-founded Youth Africa to bridge the digital divide in underserved communities. She is also a Civics Unplugged Fellow exploring how technology and civic leadership can drive lasting change.
She believes innovation starts with curiosity-and that empowering young people can transform communities from within.
