Embracing artificial intelligence will bridge the gap in Nigeria’s education system – Expert

Embracing artificial intelligence will bridge the gap in Nigeria’s education system – Expert

The Founder of STEM Collaborators, Mrs. Adeola Akinsulure has affirmed the need to embrace the use of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI), in order to bridge the gap in Nigeria’s Education System.

The educationist made the remarks during a one-day capacity building for students under Education District VI, in collaboration with the American Corner, Ikeja.

Setting the pace for the event, Amanda Brown, Deputy Public Affairs Officer, U.S Consulate General Lagos, gave an insight into the training.

“On behalf of the U.S Consulate General in Lagos, I want to start by acknowledging one of our 12,000 Vibrant U.S. Government exchange alumni, Adeola Akinsulure.

“She is an alumni of the Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Programme.

“We are so proud that she has brought back new skills and has given them to her community to enhance the incredible work she has been doing in the STEM and education sectors.

“I am excited to welcome all of you students, facilitators and everyone passionate about the future to this exciting programme on Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (Al).

“It’s no secret that the world is changing, Robotics and AI are at the forefront of that change.

“Today’s programme is designed to ignite your curiosity, spark your creativity and equip you with the knowledge and skills to become leaders in an ever evolving world” she added.

The event which had as its theme: “Ignite E.DVI 2024: Robotic and Artificial Intelligence”, was well attended by selected students from different schools under Education District VI.

Mrs. Akinsulure, a Biology teacher at Omole Senior Grammar School and the convener, narrated what prompted her to stage the training.

“I came up with the programme after discovering that some international students that I teach use Robotic and Artificial Intelligence in their studies. This gap informed my decision to introduce something similar here in Nigeria to further enhance our education system.

According to the STEM Expert, technology is the way forward and all hands must be on deck to groom students that can compete globally.

The high point of the event was the practical knowledge ranging from Space Exploration to robotic programming, and understanding AI applications in sectors such as health, education and transportation amongst others.

The US consulate through American Corner also played a key role in the actualisation of the capacity building.

Speaking to journalists during the event, Adeniyi Ogunbanjo, Director, American Corner Ikeja, said the US Mission in Nigeria was very passionate about up-skilling younger Nigerians.

” We believe that exposing these students to robotic and Artificial Intelligence while they are still young is the way to go.

“The collaboration is one of the many ways the US Mission in Nigeria is giving back to the people and we will continue to do so”. The Director echoed.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Omolara Oladejo,
Human Resource Manager of Fantien Nigeria Limited, identified with the students.
” I want to urge you all to brace up and focus on the gains of the training.

“We all know that there are so many things that young people can do online to make legit money.

“I want to strongly appeal to you all to shun internet scam or fraud, but rather focus on the positive angles of Technology to aid your career”.She stressed

STEM Experts such as Adewale Kayode, Seun Leo, Dr. Oluwabanke Adewusi, Adeeko Olalekan and Adeola Eka, Digitech expert exposed the students to the rudiments of the training.

Also in attendance were the alumni of the Fulbright TEA in Nigeria.

The beneficiaries were students of Omole senior grammar school, Ikeja Senior high school,GRA Ikeja, Ikeja Junior High school, GRA Ikeja,Agidingbi Senior Grammar School and State Senior high school, GRA.

Others were students from Ilupeji Senior Secondary School, Mushin, Igbo-Owu Senior Secondary School, Mushin, Bolade Junior Grammar School, Oshodi, Oke-Afa Senior Comprehensive High School and Ikeja Senior Grammar School, Bolade Oshodi.

At the end of the training, Wellington Olabanji of Omole Senior Grammar School, Mary Adeniyi of Ikeja Senior High school and Decoco Nasrullah of State Senior high school went home with prizes for their outstanding performance.