In a heartwarming event that highlighted the importance of fostering digital literacy and innovation among young minds, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has emphasised the agency’s unwavering commitment to empowering the youths to shape Nigeria’s destiny through technology.

Inuwa said this during the closing ceremony of NITDA STEM Bootcamp for Kids organised by the Agency in collaboration with Future Map Foundation, which brought together enthusiastic students between the ages of 12 – 16 from various schools across Jigawa State.

He said, the 10-day Training Programme held simultaneously in Rivers, Jigawa, and the FCT, is to nurture children’s interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines, while exposing them to the endless possibilities that digital technology offers.

Inuwa acknowledged the significance of STEM in today’s world, noting that technology had become the driving force behind global innovation and economic growth, underlining the urgency for young Nigerians to embrace digital literacy to secure a prosperous future.

“Today, the world is driven by technology, and those who possess the knowledge and skills to harness it will lead the way. Nigeria has an abundance of talent, and by investing in STEM education from an early age, we can unlock our country’s potential and compete on the global stage,” said Inuwa.

READ ALSO: NITDA Committed to Creating Life-transforming Opportunities for Girls, Women in Nigeria 

The DG also shared personal anecdotes and insights from his journey as a technology enthusiast who eventually became the head of a prominent IT agency. He encouraged the students to dream big and take advantage of the digital resources available to them.

“I started as a young enthusiast like you, with a passion for technology. I became a millionaire while doing my mandatory youth service. Today, I have the privilege to lead NITDA, an agency dedicated to shaping the nation’s digital future. The power of technology is in your hands, and I implore you to explore it to the fullest,” he said.

The NITDA boss further stressed the importance of creativity, innovation, and problem-solving, which he deemed essential skills for the future workforce, adding that the STEM Bootcamp offered a range of hands-on activities and workshops. Students had the chance to explore robotics, coding, and virtual reality, sparking their interest in the world of technology.

Meanwhile, at the similar STEM Bootcamp for Kids closing ceremony in Abuja, Inuwa, who represented by Acting Director of Corporate Planning and Strategy, Dr. Aristotle Onumo stated that with Information and Communications Technology (ICT) tools available kids’ fingertips, they will prepare to change narrative and break barriers that hinder them from making progress towards actualising their dreams.

He said the training will enable the children to be conversant with emerging technologies, enhance creativity, innovation and the intellectual capabilities to be great in proffering solutions to problems, especially now that digital technologies have no barrier in age, gender, and experience.

Inuwa noted that programmes like this, which falls under the digital literacy and skills pillar of NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2021-2024), intervene in the development of digital technology by supporting, promoting, and facilitating digital skills and literacy.

According to him, these programmes also develop innovative solutions for adoption and use in every facet of national life. By 2030, the agency aims to achieve 95% of Nigerians digitally literate population.

The event received praise from parents, educators, and local officials who recognised the value of such initiatives in equipping young Nigerians with the skills needed to succeed in a digital world.

Participants who demonstrated remarkable dedication and exceptional skills throughout the rigorous training program were rewarded with Computers and Tablets as tokens of recognition for their outstanding performance, while Certificates of achievement were bestowed upon 790 beneficiaries, irrespective of their individual performance levels.

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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has successfully equipped 282 young minds with cutting-edge technology knowledge, promoting digital inclusion across all age groups.

This educational initiative, known as NITDA’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Boot Camp for Kids (SB4KIDS), ran from August 21 to September 2, catering to children aged 8 to 16 years.SB4KIDS, an NITDA initiative, aspires to foster a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) among youngsters while cultivating an early interest in digital and emerging technologies.

The National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), an NITDA subsidiary, took the lead in organizing and executing this program.The comprehensive training program delved into diverse areas of ICT, including Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Coding, and Virtual Reality.

These sessions were designed to bolster digital inclusion and set the stage for a tech-savvy future.Mr. Kashifu Inuwa, the Director-General of NITDA, encouraged the children to explore the boundless opportunities in the digital realm.

He emphasized that the digital world knows no limits and aimed to enhance their talents and creativity for the future.

READ ALSO: Digital Economy: NITDA Coordinates Nigeria’s Participation at G20 Ministerial Meeting 

Inuwa also emphasized the importance of responsible internet use, advising the young participants to keep their parents informed about their online activities and use their newfound knowledge positively.

Parents were not left out of this guidance, as they were urged to monitor their children’s internet usage and ensure it remained a positive experience.

Mr. Garba Ya’u, the Director of NCAIR, urged the children to apply their newfound knowledge creatively.Two enthusiastic participants, Brown Zowe and Elizabeth Bassey, attested to the program’s effectiveness in enhancing their robotics and drone operation skills, expressing gratitude to NITDA for this valuable opportunity.

Awards were presented to recognize the outstanding achievements of deserving children who excelled during the training.

This initiative unfolded simultaneously across multiple locations, including Jigawa State in the North West, Port-Harcourt in the South South zone, and Abuja in the North Central region, furthering NITDA’s commitment to digital inclusivity and education.

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TECHDIGEST – Nigeria’s Digital literacy has received a boost with the training of 178 young Nigerians in the just concluded 10-Days Stem Bootcamp for Kids, SB4Kids, initiative.

The camp which closed on Friday was organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, with the Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, giving an appraisal in his remarks during the closing ceremony in Abuja.

He said the training had entrenched in its participant’s required technological knowhow in line with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, NDEPS, of Federal Government.

Mr Kashifu said the agency had continued to play central role in assisting and encouraging young tech innovators in Nigeria.

He disclosed that there was a need for a new strategy and innovative approaches to STEM education into the Nation’s educational system.

He suggested the introduction of Artificial intelligence (AI), Robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), and other emerging technologies into the curriculum.

“The STEM Bootcamp for Kids (SB4Kids) is part of NITDA’s effort towards implementing NDEPS, particularly the NDEPS’s pillar – Digital Literacy and Skills.

“We are all aware that the Nigerian government is committed to transforming the education system to improve the quality of our graduates to provide a secure future for all our citizens.

“The government’s vision places education at the heart of the development of the citizenry and future economic success,” he said.

He further said that NITDA SB4KIDS trained almost 200 participants, with 96 junior kids and 82 senior kids.

“Skilled NCAIR members took them through various technologies, on a journey requiring critical thinking and a high sense of curiosity in the world of science and digital technology.

“The early involvement of youngsters in technology and innovation will accelerate the development of the technology sector and create future leaders who will transform the Nigerian technology space and boost the Nigerian Digital Economy,” Inuwa said.

The National Director of National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, NCAIR, Yau Garba commended NITDA D-G and encouraged the children to practice and put to use what they had learnt.

“The vision you have set up for ICT is what is guiding us in this country today and we know clearly that the right place to start is with our government.

“That was why we came up with this initiative because we feel that in the future we will have leaders.”

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.

Kids across spectrums of the society were trained by NCAIR, a training organ of NITDA on Coding, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Drone.

They were also trained in Digital Communications, Embedded Systems, the Internet of Things (IoT), Virtual Reality, and 3D requisite skill-set for the 4th Industrial Revolution.

NAN

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