Tinubu Sets Course For Advancing AI, Robotics Skills In Nigerian Youth

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s technological innovation and productivity through the proficiency of Nigerian youths in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics engineering.

This initiative, among others, commenced with the donation of 50 laptops and 50 industrial training course licenses, valued at over N80 million, to students at the Government Science and Technical College, Garki, Abuja.

Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) Lagos is next in line, with the program set to expand to other schools nationwide, according to Abiola Arogundade, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational, and Entrepreneurship Education (OSSAP-TVEE), who disclosed this on Wednesday.

According to her, the President believes today’s globalized world necessitates that Nigerian youths be well-equipped with skills in AI and robotics engineering to be globally competitive and contribute actively to the nation’s industrial growth and productivity.

She emphasized that the success of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda depends on establishing a strong foundation for industrial growth and productivity, which is why he is committed to advancing innovation in technical education in the country.

While handing over the laptops equipped with software to support a six-month training program in AI and Robotics Engineering on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at the school premises, according to a statement by Henry David, Assistant Chief Information Officer, Federal Ministry of Information on Thursday, the Presidential aide also stressed the need to promote technical, vocational, and entrepreneurship education to enhance the advancement of technical and entrepreneurial skills among students.

“We are giving licenses to 25 students for each of these courses who will each also receive a laptop which is already configured with the appropriate software to enable the beneficiaries to do the course effectively”.

“It is the beginning of a journey into stimulating innovation in technical education in the country which is one of the major pillars of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration,” Arogundade said.

Envisioning the beneficiaries as future entrepreneurs in robotics and AI, Arogundade urged the students to seize the training opportunity and use their acquired skills to become self-sufficient and contribute to the nation’s technological advancement.

Drawing parallels with leading countries in robotics and AI, she encouraged the students to strive for excellence, asserting that Nigeria has a bright future in these fields.

She also expressed gratitude to De Lorenzo International for its generous support and looked forward to continued partnership with the company.

“The initiative represents the beginning of a journey towards stimulating innovation in technical education in the country, aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration.

“The donations of laptops and training course licenses symbolize a significant step towards fostering innovation, enhancing technical education, and empowering students to become key contributors to Nigeria’s technological landscape,” she noted

In his reaction, the school’s Principal, James Musa Kuta, expressed delight at the initiative, describing it as the right step by a government committed to the industrial growth of the country.

“It is a privilege that our youths are being captured at this age to engage in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence. Anywhere you go now all over the world it is the in thing and if the youths are perfect in them, they will fit in any part of the world,” he said.

The beneficiary students pledged to make the most of the opportunity by becoming experts in their chosen fields and training other youths in their careers