Funmilayo Adeyemi
Students from across the country have gathered in Abuja to showcase robotic solutions developed to tackle climate change challenges affecting the world.
Speaking at the 2025 Robotics for Good Youth Challenge in Abuja on Thursday, the Founder and CEO of NextRobotic Academy, Kemisola Bolarinwa, explained that the challenge was initiated by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Bolarinwa stressed the need to encourage students to embrace robotics, a key emerging technology of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“We want them to come up with a solution, a robotic solution that can help in climate change.
“Now we have natural disasters like floods, there’s an earthquake, and we need to rescue people that are victims.
“So what we want them to do is deploy those robots to those venues, rescue those victims, and take them to a safe place,” she said.
Bolarinwa added that winners from both the junior and senior categories would go on to represent Nigeria at the grand finale of the global competition in Geneva, Switzerland, in July.
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, emphasised the importance of collective efforts in fostering an environment that supports Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.
Olawande was represented by the Director-General of the Committee of Youth on Mobilisation and Sensitisation, Chief Obinna Nwaka.
He noted that investing in education and providing opportunities for young people would not only equip them with essential skills but also lay the foundation for a new generation of leaders.
“Today, we celebrate the brilliance and creativity of our youth. The young minds present here are not just participants; they are trailblazers, innovators, and problem solvers.
“They embody the vibrant spirit of Nigeria’s future, a future that is bright with possibilities, driven by innovation, and anchored in the principles of social good.
“Their participation in this challenge exemplifies the commitment of our youth to tackling pressing global issues, from climate change to healthcare, through the lens of robotics and artificial intelligence,” he said.
The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Abdullahi, said the agency was supporting the challenge to identify young talents early and nurture them into future champions.
Represented by Dr Femi Adeluyi, Assistant Director at NITDA, he said the agency was focusing on inclusivity to support all aspects of a child’s development.
“In fact, there’s a programme called Digital Literacy for All, which has been championed by NITDA, and we’re also taking care of the teachers.
“We’re partnering with NUC, the coordinating arm of polytechnics, various stakeholders, and the NYSC.
“We realise that if the teachers are not trained, it’s difficult for them to pass on the knowledge to the students, so we’re addressing that as well,” he said.
Some of the student innovators expressed confidence that their innovations would help solve many of the country’s challenges.
Perpetual Umeohanu, an SS3 student from Federal Government College, Ikirun, Osun State, said the competition had helped improve her understanding of technology.
Her team developed the Disaster and Rescue Bot to assist victims of natural disasters.
“Our robot is trying to help injured and stranded victims of natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, and the like.
“So robotics and technology have actually increased my understanding of the events and phenomena happening around me,” she said.
Miguel Odjobo, a Year Five pupil of Bellanor International Community School, Abuja, who worked on a recycling project, said his project aimed to reduce waste pollution.
“I’ve noticed that many people are polluting the earth with garbage. So, I’m making this project to help the world become a better place for us,” he said.
The challenge featured more than 30 primary and secondary schools from across the country competing in the event. (NAN)
