The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) says it graduated more than 200 kids trained at the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) Bootcamp for Kids (SB4KIDS) in Lagos.
The Director-General, NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, said the event was aimed at bridging the existing gap in the educational sector.
Inuwa, represented by the Manager, South West Zonal office, Mrs Jumoke Alaka, said the SB4KIDS triggered NITDA’s interest and resonated deeply with the on-going efforts towards implementing the National Digital Economy policy for digital Nigeria.
He said NITDA’s mandate is to create a framework for the planning, research, development, and standardization application, coordination, monitoring, evaluation and regulation of information technology (IT) practices in Nigeria.
According to him, NITDA remains committed to supporting campaigns to diversify the country’s economy from a resource-based to a knowledge-based one through IT.
“We are indeed proud to be part of this event. It is my pleasure to introduce to you the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), the arm of NITDA meant to drive research and development and innovation in the areas of emerging technologies.
“NCAIR is one of NITDA’s special purpose vehicles created to promote research and development on emerging technologies and their practical application in areas of Nigeria’s national interest,” he said.
According to him, kids across spectrums of the society were trained by NCAIR, a training organ of NITDA on Coding, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Drone.
Inuwa said the kids were also trained on Digital Communications, Embedded Systems, the Internet of Things (IoT), Virtual Reality, and 3D requisite skill-set for the 4th Industrial Revolution.
The DG said as an NCAIR’s catch-them-young initiative, the SB4KIDS was a Bootcamp to inspire young Nigerians in STEM, and through it engaged youngsters between the ages of 8 and 16 in an immersive and well-articulated bootcamp.
He said the Bootcamp is meant to coach and inspire youngsters to imbibe STEM passion and create an early interest in digital and emerging technologies that would hopefully shape the children’s future careers in the fields.
NITDA SB4Kids is a yearly initiative conducted during the summer school holidays, and has trained over 200 participants to broaden the minds of children in critical thinking and high sense of curiosity in science and digital technology.
He said the early involvement in technology and innovation will accelerate the development of the IT sector and create future leaders who will transform the technology space and boost Nigeria’s digital economy.
…the Bootcamp is meant to coach and inspire youngsters to imbibe STEM passion and create an early interest in digital and emerging technologies that would hopefully shape the children’s future careers in the fields.
The Co-founder, Community Innovation hub, Soji Megbwun, said kids were picked from the streets and trained on technology, adding that the enrolment was done by NITDA, which placed an advert virtually on their website and social media platforms.
He said the curriculum was designed by NITDA to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the training was for two weeks.
Partner, TEF Community Innovation Hub, Mayowa Ajiboye, who appreciated NITDA for bringing the training to Alimosho Local Government Area, a suburb of Lagos State, rather than taking the training to highbrow areas.
Oluwadamilola Davies, from the Community Innovation hub, developed a smart walker which enables the virtually impaired people to detect danger and improvise their lives.
Ajibola Daniel, an 11 year old, talked about his project, cartoon animator to project the SDG 1 on no poverty.
Ajibola said the animator would help to educate people on how to reduce wastefulness and promote the SDGs
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that about 10 children with outstanding projects were awarded with laptops and the over 200 children certified.
