Despite Challenges, Nigerian Students Develop Mobile App For Academic Purposes

By Usman Yakubu Usman

Armed with ideas, as a practicing software engineer, Femi Fatokun, a 200-level student of the Computer Science department in Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS), Nigeria, cooperated with other three team members from the same institution, on leveraging the plight of students in getting access to reading materials.

Despite the existence of an internet Google search, Femi and his team identified the gap and inaccessibility of other academic sources akin to the courses offered in their school. Channeling such motive, starting from early July 2023, juggling academic activities with personal research. After covering months, they finally launched a domain called “Schovela” on November 29, 2023.

“I pictured the problems associated with students trying to access academic materials. My goal was to solve the problems by creating the app”, Femi reminisced.

Schovela is a mobile app containing many uploaded handouts and other reading materials that can be accessed by downloading the domain from the Google Play Store or by scanning the QR Code.

The app is simple. It enables students to download educational sources for free. Inside the domain, there are various materials for many courses offered at UDUS. After rigorous examination of the app, this reporter found it easy to use, by installing and reading some GST materials in the content. To extend its visibility on campus, the web team initiated the effort of pasting the QR Code in the vicinity of the school.

According to data collated from the team leader, Femi, at the time of writing this report, the App currently has 114 users which are all students, with a total number of 172 educational materials uploaded.   

Also, as many students use phones on campus to read PDFs, Schovela, which has a centralized source of reading materials, serves as an alternative to other books and handouts.

Like Femi, the graphics designer of the team, Tijjani Shehu Ahmad, a 200-level student of the Computer Science department had a visionary outlook on the app. He foresaw it crossing the boundary of UDUS, reaching out to other universities across the country. His target did not lie with the students only, but even the lecturers alike. Both were meant to benefit from the innovation.

“It’s not only for UDUS students, but it’s currently available in UDUS, by January it will be available for Sokoto State University (SSU) Students and beyond. Everyone in the academic community can access it,” he said.

Collaboratively, John Johnathan, another 200-level Computer Science student and web developer on the team, felt elated about their achievement. His contribution to enhancing the content of the app had been his long-time dream.

The motivation that drove him to join the team was to create a “user-friendly interface” that would ultimately expand the accessibility of the domain.

Meanwhile, the team also revealed that the app was launched during the Tech event of the National Association of Computer Science Students (NACOS) UDUS, an event which was organized for students to showcase their projects.

Students’ Positive Reaction on The App

After using the newly created app, Mubarak Attahiru, a 100-level student from the Sociology department was jubilant on seeing the GST and other materials of his course.

“It’s a fantastic app. It will become easy for me to get all my handouts and easy to read even at home. And by using it, I will prepare well for my next level, UG2”, he said.

Expressing his delight, Mohammad Auwal, a 300-level student from the Department of English and Literary Studies said, “This app is unique! I can use it without waiting for the lecturers to give me materials”, he said. Mohammad added that the existence of Wi-Fi in school makes it easy for students to use the App.

“The app is going to be beneficial to me. I can access so many materials from it,” said Qozeem Adekunle, a 200-level student of Political Science.

Challenges Faced By The Team

Despite the success of the team, their grim challenges nearly made them abandon their efforts. And sometimes even wondering how to go about it.

Samson Onifade, the only 200-level student from the Economics Department, and a software developer on the team, said the lack of collaboration in getting access to academic materials to upload in the domain was a daunting task. This had been slowing the implementation of their project.

“Getting access to infrastructure, feedback channels for continuous improvement, and having collaboration opportunities with educators to tailor the development to educational needs are hard to come by. Their engagement will be instrumental for the project”, he explained.

Similarly, as an online Backen Engineer of Qshelter, after shouldering much of the bills with the meager income he was getting, Femi recounted both the technical and financial difficulties they faced.  

“When we began to face difficulties in getting access to some services like Web hosting, Email provider, access to Google Play store and Apple Account, I paid for Web Hosting and email, while my friend from the tech industry donated an Apple store account”, he revealed.

Students’ Union’s Commendation

Amidst the varied ordeals, the team informed the students’ union of their project. The Chairman of the Caretaker Committee (CTC), Mr Ibrahim Sanusi, applauded their decisive approach in bringing solutions to the challenges faced by their fellow students. 

“It’s a very good achievement, and to some extent, we are happy with the development brought to the university. These gentlemen did their best. What they did is for students, and it’s good”, he said.

Management Reacts

While speaking with this reporter, the Dean of Students Affairs Prof. Umar Aliyu urged the team to see him regarding the project. “The students should meet me in the office, such development is welcomed. The university is open for that, but we need to see them first”, he said.