The National Information Technology Development Authority (NITDA) has graduated over 200 children who have been trained at Lagos STEM Boot Camp for Kids (SB4KIDS).
NITDA Executive Director Malam Kasif Inuwa said the event aims to fill existing gaps in the education sector.
Mr. Inuwa said the Stem Bootcamp for Kids has sparked NITDA’s interest and deeply resonated with Digital Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to implement its National Digital Economy Policy.
Inuwa’s representative was Mrs. Jumoke Alaka, NITDA Southwest Zone Office Manager.
He said the mission of NITDA is to create a framework for the application, coordination, monitoring, evaluation and regulation of planning, research, development and standardization of information technology practices in Nigeria.
According to him, NITDA remains committed to supporting campaigns to diversify the country’s economy from resource-based to knowledge-based through information technology (IT).
“We are really proud to have participated in this event.
“I am pleased to introduce the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), a division of NITDA aimed at promoting R&D and innovation in emerging technology areas.
“NCAIR is one of NITDA’s special purpose vehicles created to facilitate the research and development of emerging technologies and their commercialization in Nigeria’s national interest sectors,” he said.
According to him, children from different sectors of society were trained by NCAIR, NITDA’s training institution on coding, artificial intelligence, robotics and drones.
Inuwa said the children were also trained in digital communications, embedded systems, the Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, and the 3D skill set needed for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
As NCAIR’s Catch Them Young Initiative, DG said SB4KIDS is a bootcamp to inspire young Nigerians with STEM.
He said that through SB4Kids, NCAIR has engaged young people aged 8 to 16 in an immersive and well-defined bootcamp.
According to him, the boot camp aims to mentor and inspire young people to soak up their passion for STEM and create an early interest in digital and emerging technologies.
Inuwa said he hopes technology will shape his children’s future careers in the field.
NITDA SB4Kids is an initiative held every summer vacation.
According to him, NITDA SB4KIDS trains more than 200 participants to expand children’s minds with critical thinking and high curiosity towards science and digital technology.
He said his early involvement in technology and innovation will accelerate the development of the IT sector, transform Nigeria’s tech space and create future leaders to boost Nigeria’s digital economy.
According to Soji Megbwun, co-founder of the Community Innovation hub, it was a place where children were picked from the streets to be trained on NITDA’s technology and training partners.
According to Megbwun, the registration was done by NITDA, which placed ads virtually on its website and social media platforms.
He said the curriculum was designed by NITDA to reach the Sustainable Development Goals and the training is two weeks.
TEF Community Innovation Hub partner Mayowa Ajiboye praised NITDA for bringing the training to the Alimosho Local Government Area outside Lagos State.
He said children were more affected than being trained in a noble field.
Oluwadamirola Davis, from Community Innovation Hub, has developed a smart walker that effectively enables people with disabilities to perceive danger and improvise.
Eleven-year-old Ajibola Daniel talks about his project, Cartoon Animator, projecting the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of ending poverty.
Ajibola said animators would help reduce waste and educate people on how to promote the SDGs
The Nigerian News Agency reports that around 10 children with outstanding projects have been awarded laptops and more than 200 children have received certification.
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