A remarkable 10-year-old from Enfield is showing just how far curiosity, creativity and a love of coding can take you after becoming a BBC Make a Difference Awards finalist while building award-winning video games, hosting her own radio programme and inspiring other young people to embrace technology.
Zanna Orunsolu, a long-standing Ninja at Code Ninjas Enfield, first joined the centre in August 2022 at the age of six. Encouraged by her mother to explore a wide range of interests, she discovered a passion for coding that has become one of many creative outlets alongside writing, broadcasting and public speaking.
Since then, Zanna has built an impressive portfolio of coding achievements. She won the global Fiero Code Arctic Adventure Competition, claimed the overall global title in the Code Ninjas Summer Game Jam with her original game Camp Quest, published an introductory coding book for young children and was selected as a finalist in the prestigious BAFTA Young Game Designers Awards – an incredible achievement as the other nine finalists were 14 years old whilst Zanna was just 10. Most recently, she was named one of just four finalists in the BBC Three Counties Radio Make a Difference Awards Young Hero category.
For Zanna, however, one moment stands out above all the awards. Ahead of announcing the BBC Make a Difference Awards finalists, the BBC team visited her home to learn more about her journey and achievements. During their visit, they asked to play one of the games she had created through her coding journey.
“It was a moment that perfectly captured what I love most – creating something that others can experience and enjoy. That made me just as happy as becoming a finalist,” Zanna explained.
Away from coding, Zanna is also an accomplished young author and broadcaster. She presents her own monthly radio programme, The Zanna Zone, where she explores issues affecting young people, including artificial intelligence, education, creativity and technology. In one recent episode, she interviewed Dr Renee Romeo, Centre Director and Co-Owner of Code Ninjas Enfield, alongside two fellow Code Ninjas students, discussing how artificial intelligence is shaping the future and why it is important that young people learn to understand technology rather than simply use it.
“One of the things that makes Zanna so special is her genuine curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. She’s always loved exploring new ideas and creating things, and coding has become one of the many ways she expresses that creativity,” said Dr Romeo.
“Watching her develop her coding skills over the past few years has been a real privilege. She approaches every challenge with determination, asks thoughtful questions and is always looking for ways to improve. Seeing her produce award-winning games and achieve recognition on a national stage has been wonderful for everyone at Code Ninjas Enfield.
“What makes me proudest isn’t simply the awards she’s received, but the way she continues to use her skills to encourage other young people to think creatively, ask questions and embrace technology with confidence.”
Dr Romeo believes Zanna’s story also reflects something many parents are looking for when choosing extracurricular activities: “Every child is different. Some come to us because they love gaming, some are fascinated by technology and others simply want to try something new. Parents are increasingly looking for activities that encourage creativity, problem-solving and resilience while allowing children to pursue something they genuinely enjoy. Coding offers all of those opportunities, and Zanna is a wonderful example of how a child’s interests can continue to grow when they’re encouraged to explore them.”
Code Ninjas Enfield teaches children aged 5 to 14 how to code by building their own video games in a fun, supportive and social environment. Through its game-based curriculum, young people develop programming skills alongside creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving, learning to become creators of technology rather than simply consumers.
Families interested in finding out more can visit Code Ninjas Enfield at Upstairs Revival Christian Church, 47 London Road, Enfield EN2 6DS, or visit the website
Reflecting on her journey so far, Zanna hopes more young people will discover just how creative coding can be: “When I first started coding, I didn’t realise how many amazing things you could create. I think coding is really fun because you’re only limited by your imagination!”
