The Executive Director of Girls in STEM Trust, Ms Victoria Nxumalo, on Thursday, praised Nigeria’s leading role in promoting Robotics and Artificial Intelligence education across Africa.
Nxumalo made the remarks during her keynote address at the launch of the 2025 World Robotics Olympiad, held at the Muson Centre, Lagos Island.
The 2025 WRO Nigeria/Africa event was organised by the non-governmental organisation, Arc-lights Foundation.
The foundation has been at the forefront of promoting robotics education in Nigerian schools.
The theme of the 2025 WRO was ‘The Future of Robots, Robotics STEM and Nigerian Curriculum,’ which Nxumalo said resonates deeply with Nigeria’s national vision.
Nxumalo stated that Nigeria and Zimbabwe are the only two African nations leading the charge in advancing robotics education on the continent.
She highlighted the importance of integrating robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and digital innovations into the education system to transform Africa’s technological landscape.
“One of the most important steps is to incorporate robotics education into the curriculum,” Nxumalo said, stressing that this would help students understand how technology shapes the world.
She explained that such experiences would lay the foundation for solving complex technological challenges and preparing future innovators in the field.
Nxumalo commended Nigeria for its role in advancing robotics education across Africa, noting that both Nigeria and Zimbabwe are spearheading this technological revolution.
Both countries have found ways to engage young minds in robotics education and problem-solving, with Nigeria’s education bodies embracing robotics as a key skill for the 21st century.
She added that robotics education fosters creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration from an early age, offering students more than just technical skills.
Nxumalo also emphasised the importance of encouraging young women and girls to participate in robotics education and STEM fields, as they are often underrepresented.
She explained that providing mentorship, training, and role models enables young women to compete on international platforms like the World Robotics Olympiad, breaking barriers along the way.
The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr Kashifu Abdullahi spoke on the strides the agency has made in supporting technological advancements in Nigeria.
Abdullahi affirmed that NITDA would continue to support stakeholders working to drive technological development in the country, with robotics playing a pivotal role.
He stressed that robotics is transforming industries, from healthcare and manufacturing to agriculture and logistics, driven by a convergence of hardware, software, and artificial intelligence.
“At NITDA, we recognise robotics as a dynamic field of innovation, collaboration, and digital empowerment that can shape the future,” Abdullahi said, aligning the agency’s vision with President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.
Abdullahi also reaffirmed NITDA’s commitment to integrating robotics into Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda to foster national development and solve real-world challenges.
He emphasised that robotics education is key to preparing Nigeria’s youth for the digital economy, by instilling skills like engineering, coding, and AI to tackle future challenges.
He noted that NITDA had identified robotics education as one of its six key focus areas, investing in research, innovation, and collaboration to support educational platforms across Nigeria.
“We aim to build a robust, inclusive, and sustainable digital economy that benefits every Nigerian,” Abdullahi said.
He urged industry partners and policymakers to embrace the opportunities robotics offers.
Abdullahi, was represented by Dr Falilat Jimoh, Head of Innovation and Digital Inclusion for NITDA’s South West zone, who, in her capacity, commended the organisers of the 2025 WRO Nigeria/Africa in Lagos.
Jimoh praised the Arc Lights Foundation for its unwavering commitment to advancing robotics education in Nigeria, which has enabled Nigerian talent to shine on global platforms.
Mrs Abisola Obasanya, Managing Director of Arc Lights Foundation, highlighted the organisation’s success in introducing robotics education to over 500 public and private schools nationwide.
Obasanya stated that since 2011, Arc Lights has led Nigerian delegations to the WRO International events, showcasing Nigerian talent in cities such as Abu Dhabi, Kuala Lumpur, and Sochi.
She added that the 2025 WRO will feature a new mandate that includes the Coaches Association of Nigeria (RoboCAN), offering a platform for cutting-edge innovations in robotics and STEM.
The 2025 WRO Nigeria/Africa attracted numerous stakeholders from the education sector, with over 120 schools in attendance, further cementing the country’s commitment to robotics education.
