Robotics challenge empowers youth yo combat climate crisis

The Robotics for Good Youth Challenge Nigeria 2025 has kicked off, inspiring young innovators to develop robotic solutions for climate-related disasters.

Spearheaded by Founder and CEO of Next Robotics Academy, Kemisola Bolarinwa the initiative is part of a global program by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a United Nations agency focused on digital technology.

Held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Abuja, the competition has attracted 1,500 participants, including 40 teams of young innovators from across Nigeria. Contestants are designing robotic systems to aid disaster response, from rescuing victims of natural disasters to tackling environmental pollution.

Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Youth Development, Engr Ayodele Olawande, represented by the Director General of the Committee of Youth Mobilization and Sensitization (CYMS), Chief Obinna Nwaka, emphasized the importance of STEM education in empowering Nigerian youth.

“Today, we celebrate the brilliance and creativity of our youth. They are not just participants; they are trailblazers, innovators, and problem solvers. Their commitment to tackling global issues, from climate change to healthcare, through robotics and artificial intelligence, is commendable,” Olawande stated.

He also highlighted the Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA), recently launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a platform to support young Nigerians in STEM fields.

Also speaking, Assistant Director at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr Femi Adeluyi reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to AI and robotics education.

“NITDA, through the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, is actively supporting this competition, from judging to logistics. We want Nigeria to not just participate but to compete and win on the global stage,” Adeluyi said.

He stressed the importance of training teachers in AI and emerging technologies, citing NITDA’s Digital Literacy for All program, which collaborates with universities, polytechnics, and the NYSC.

The competition has drawn participation from 23 schools across Nigeria, with some joining virtually due to travel constraints.

Contestants, divided into junior and senior categories, will compete for the chance to represent Nigeria at the VEX Robotics World Championship in May 2025 and the AI for Good Summit in Geneva, Switzerland, in July.

Participants showcased a range of innovative projects, including disaster response robots and recycling solutions.

Umeohanu Mmesoma Perpetual, an SS3 student from Frederick Gorman College, Osun State, introduced her team’s Disaster and Rescue Robot, designed to assist victims of earthquakes, tsunamis, and other natural disasters by providing medical care and shelter.

Miguel Odjobo Kome Ovie, a Year 5 student, presented a recycling game aimed at reducing waste pollution, inspired by his daily observations of littered streets.

Beyond the competition, Bolarinwa emphasized the transformative role of AI and robotics in Nigeria’s economy, particularly in healthcare, education, and agriculture.

“We want these young innovators to deploy robots in real-life disaster response, rescue victims, and transport them to safety. This competition lays the foundation for them to build real-world solutions in the future,” she said.

While concerns persist about AI and automation replacing jobs, she reassured that robotics is meant to assist, not replace, human workers.

“For every job AI takes, it creates another. Robots handle repetitive tasks, not replace workers,” Bolarinwa stated.

The Robotics for Good Youth Challenge Nigeria 2025 marks a crucial step in positioning Nigeria’s youth at the forefront of global technological advancement, ensuring they are equipped to innovate, compete, and lead in the digital era.