NITDA trains 178 young Nigerians on robotics, emerging tech
Nigeria’s Digital literacy received a boost on Friday as National Information Technology Development Agency(NITDA) trained 178 young Nigerians in its just concluded 10-Days Stem Bootcamp for Kids (SB4Kids) initiative.
Director General/CEO, Mr Kashifu Abdullahi in his remarks during the closing ceremony said the training has entrenched in its participants required technological knowhow in line with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) of federal government.
Kashifu said the agency has continued to play central role in assisting, encouraging young tech innovators in Nigeria.
He disclosed that there is a need for a new strategy and innovative approaches to STEM education, such as the introduction of Artificial intelligence (AI), Robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), and other emerging technologies into the Nation’s educational system.
Kids across spectrums of the society were trained by the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), a training organ of NITDA on Coding, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Drone, Digital Communications, Embedded Systems, the Internet of Things (IoT), Virtual Reality, and 3D requisite skill-set for the 4th Industrial Revolution.
“The STEM Bootcamp for Kids (SB4Kids) is part of NITDA’s effort towards implementing the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), particularly the NDEPS’s pillar –Digital Literacy and Skills.
“We are all aware that the Nigerian government is committed to transforming the education system to improve the quality of our graduates to provide a secure future for all our citizens.
“The government’s vision places education at the heart of the development of the citizenry and future economic success”, Abdullahi said.
He further said that NITDA SB4KIDS has trained almost two hundred participants, with 96 junior kids and 82 senior kids. He added that During the entire program, all participants were provided meals for lunch, writing materials and all necessary care to ensure that our youngsters had a very pleasant experience and a fun environment to aid their learning.
“Skilled NCAIR members took them through various technologies, on a journey requiring critical thinking and a high sense of curiosity in the world of science and digital technologies.
“For, we at NITDA believe that the early involvement of youngsters in technology and innovation will accelerate the development of the technology sector and create future technology leaders who will transform the Nigerian technology space and boost the Nigerian Digital Economy”, Kashifu stated.
The National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) is one of NITDA’s special purpose vehicles created to promote research and development on emerging technologies and their practical application in areas of Nigerian national interest.
