The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has graduated more than 200 kids trained at the STEM Bootcamp for Kids (SB4KIDS) in Lagos.
The Director General, NITDA, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa, said that the event was aimed at bridging the existing gap in the educational sector.
Inuwa said that the Stem Bootcamp for Kids triggered NITDA’s interest and resonated deeply with the ongoing efforts towards implementing the National Digital economy policy for digital Nigeria.
Inuwa was represented by Mrs Jumoke Alaka, Manager, South West Zonal office, NITDA.
He said that NITDA’s mandate was to create a framework for the planning, research, development, and standardization application, coordination, monitoring, evaluation and regulation of Information Technology 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 Information Technology (IT).
‘’We are indeed proud to be part of this event.
‘’It is my pleasure to introduce to you 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 that 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 that as an NCAIR’s catch-them-young initiative, the SB4KIDS was a Bootcamp to inspire young Nigerians in STEM.
He said that through the SB4Kids, NCAIR engaged youngsters between the ages of 8 and 16 years in an immersive and well-articulated bootcamp.
According to him, the bootcamp is meant to coach and inspire youngsters to imbibe STEM passion and create an early interest in digital and emerging technolgies.
Inuwa said that the technologies would hopefully shape the children future careers in the fields.
NITDA SB4Kids is a yearly initiative conducted during the summer school holidays.
According to him, NITDA SB4KIDS has trained over 200 participants which will broaden the minds of children in critical thinking and high sense of curiosity in science and digital technology.
He said that the early involvement in technology and innovation would accelerate the development of the IT sector and create future leaders who would transform the Nigerian technology space and boost Nigerian Digital economy.
Soji Megbwun, co founder, Community Innovation hub, said it was where kids were picked from the street and trained on technology and training partners for NITDA.
Megbwun said that the enrolment was done by NITDA that placed the advert virtually on their website and social media platform.
He said the curriculum was designed by NITDA to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal and the training was for two weeks.
Mr Mayowa Ajiboye, Partner, TEF Community Innovation Hub, appreciated NITDA for bringing the training to Alimosho Local Government Area , a suburb of Lagos State.
He said that the kids had been impacted rather than taking the training in highbrow areas.
Oluwadamilola Davies, a native of the community Innovation hub, developed a smart walker which enables the virtually impaired people to detect danger and improvise their lives.
Ajibola Daniel, 11 years old, talked about his project, cartoon animator to project the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of no poverty.
Ajibola said that the animator would help to educate people on how to reduce wastefulness and promote the SDGs
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that about 10 children with outstanding projects were awarded with laptops and the over 200 children certified.
