NITDA trains young Nigerians on robotics
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Nigeria’s digital literacy has been boosted with the training of 178 young Nigerians in the just concluded 10-Days Stem Bootcamp for Kids (SB4Kids) initiative.

The camp closed on Friday was organized by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) with the Director General, Malam Kashifu Inuwa, giving an assessment in his remarks at the closing ceremony in Abuja.

He said the training was anchored in the participants, requiring technological know-how in accordance with the federal government’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS).

Kashifu said the agency continued to play a pivotal role in helping and encouraging young tech innovators in Nigeria.

He revealed that there was a need for a new strategy and innovative approaches to STEM education in the nation’s education system.

He suggested introducing artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT) and other emerging technologies into the curriculum.

“The STEM Bootcamp for Kids (SB4Kids) is part of NITDA’s efforts to implement NDEPS, especially the pillar of NDEPS: 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 and provide a secure future for all our citizens.

“The government’s vision places education at the heart of civic development and future economic success,” he said.

He went on to say that NITDA SB4KIDS trained nearly 200 participants, with 96 juniors and 82 seniors.

“Proficient NCAIR members took them through different technologies, on a journey that required critical thinking and a high sense of curiosity in the world of science and digital technology.

“The early involvement of young people in technology and innovation will accelerate the development of the technology sector and create future leaders who will transform the Nigerian technology space and boost the Nigerian digital economy,” said Inuwa.

National Director of the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) Yau Garba praised NITDA’s DG and encouraged the children to practice and apply what they had learned.

“The vision you set out for ICT is what guides us in this country today and we clearly know the right place to start is with our government.

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“That’s why we came up with this initiative, because we think we’ll have leaders in the future.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NCAIR is one of NITDA’s special vehicles established to promote research and development of emerging technologies and their practical application in areas of national importance of Nigeria.

Children from all spectrums of society were trained by NCAIR, a training body of NITDA in the fields of coding, artificial intelligence, robotics and drone.

They were also trained in digital communication, embedded systems, the Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality and the skills required in 3D for the 4th industrial revolution.



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