…as the country holds World Robot Olympiad national competition
Tech experts have emphasised that Nigeria’s emergence as a hub for technological innovation in Africa, lies in the ability of the country to put in place an education system that helps youth become innovative, creative, and solution-driven.
Olusola Ayoola, founder of Robotics Artificial Intelligence Nigeria (RAIN), in his keynote address at the 2025 Nigeria National Competition of the World Robot Olympiad (WRO), themed, “The Future of Robots”, organised by Arc-Lights Foundation on Tuesday, July 1, emphasised the need to have robotics in the education curriculum.
This he said will inculcate robotics knowledge in the youth if the country is serious about tech advancement.
“We must measure our advancements in the abilities of our young ones to innovate, to think beyond the box and view it; so the future of robots is inextricably linked to the future of our robotics education.
“We cannot have advanced robotics without having advanced training in robotics,” he said.
Abisola Obasanya, chief executive officer at Arc-Lights Foundation, disclosed that the foundation was established to push tech dreams among Nigerian young minds.
“We encourage the youth to be innovative, creative, besides, we inculcate STEM skills in them. We do this in an equitable way, working with the state governments, the local schools, with private schools; bringing everybody together to ensure that Nigerian youngsters get the needed tech exposure globally.
“Every year we organise this, we have regional competition throughout Nigeria, and from the regionals we have the nationals. This year, we have over 120 teams in the different categories,” she said.
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Obasanya explained that the 2025 edition is the first time the foundation is doing all the categories in WRO.
“We are doing the RoboMission, RoboSports, FutureEngineers, and FutureInnovators, all the four categories. We’re also having a symposium where we’re talking about the future of robots,” she noted.
Jamui Ali-Balogun, the Lagos State commissioner for basic and secondary education, said that robotics is about the present and the future people’s life, because it is present in the medical, and other professions.
“The use of robotics is very critical, especially in surgical operations; we must incorporate it into our national curriculum, which has been done,” he said.
However, the commissioner emphasised that the review is ongoing, and that the template of this operational mechanism is yet to be passed to various states to operate.
“We are still looking into that, and for us to identify our students who have the talents to key into this programme, it’s for us to encourage, nurture, and develop them,” he noted.
Abisola Dokunmu-Adegbite, the Lagos State permanent secretary at the ministry of basic and secondary education, advocated for an ecosystem where Nigerian youth are not just consumers of technology, but bold creators and leaders at the global stage.
“As we gather to explore robotics, STEM education, and the transformative power of innovation, let us remain committed to building an ecosystem where Nigerian youth are not just consumers of technology, but bold creators and leaders of the global stage.
“May the conversations and connections from here today inspire action, strengthen partnership, and ignite passion needed to drive sustainable development through education and technology,” she said.
The winners in the Nigeria National Competition according the various categories are for RoboMission Elementary, the first position went to Team NonPareil from NonPareil Montessori School; second position was secured by Team Imperial from Brightsun College, while the third position went to Team Thunderstorm from Brightsun College.
For the RoboMission Junior, the first position was won by New Era Girls Secondary School; while Okesuna Junior High School, and Ojota Junior High School secured the second and third positions, respectively.
The RoboMission Senior had New Era Girls Secondary Secondary School, winning the first position, Eva Adelaja Girls Secondary School, came second, and Ojota Senior High School won the third position.
The RoboSports category had Team Megamind in the first position, while Team Imperial got the second and Team Cyberstorm was placed third.
