From May 14 to 16, 2025, FutureMap Foundation held a three-day Design Thinking Workshop at the Public Service Institute of Nigeria in Abuja. The event brought together 40 participants from across sectors including students, early-career professionals, startup teams, and public servants for a hands-on experience in solving real-world problems using design thinking.

Unlike traditional trainings, this workshop focused on a user-centered approach. Participants learned how to understand people’s needs, reframe challenges, and test ideas through rapid prototyping. Guided by expert facilitators, they worked in teams to build creative solutions to local issues with many going above expectations by designing working prototypes.

The feedback spoke volumes. Over 93% of attendees found the workshop relevant to their work. Most said they planned to apply the skills immediately. Scholarships made the workshop accessible, and the mix of backgrounds made the experience richer for everyone involved.

The energy in the room didn’t end on the final day. Many participants left with the confidence to lead change in their own communities, armed with new tools and a new way of thinking.