‘Why Nigeria Must Invest in AI, Emerging Technologies’

High School presents Humanoid Robot developed by own students to Minister

By Kingsley Unah

Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and technology, Geoffrey Nnaji has said Nigeria and other countries in Africa could only compete globally if they make deliberate investments in advanced technology, especially in Artificial intelligence (AI).

The Minister who stated this when a delegation of Glisten International Academy Abuja, led by its Chief Executive, Dr Samira Jibir visited him in his office Abuja on Thursday, said the country could make remarkable advancement in its drive to bolster the Social-economic viability, recalibration the security system and engage all sectors in an industrial revolution if it makes robust investments in advanced technologies and AI.

On the day, the Glisten International Academy delegation had presented a robot they invented, named ‘Mairabot’ to the Minister.

Dr Samira, during the presentation said Mairabot, a Humanoid robot developed and invented by students of the school is a highly intelligent robot that is capable of performing specific tasks such as drugs administration, interaction with patients via a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Screen and temperature recording.

She said it is the product of the deployment of cutting edge technology advancement, citing the immense support the school received from the Ministry especially during the Covid-19 Pandemic when the Students bravely invented the renowned Humanoid robot.

Responding, the Minister said the world is in the era of emerging technologies such as Artificial intelligence, Medical learning and Biometrics, adding that the newly invented robot Mairabot by the academy is a laudable innovation which is capable of impacting positively on the continent and the world at large.

Nnaji further stated that education is a legacy that should be bequeathed the younger generation for a better future, adding that parents should encourage their children to leverage on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in order to achieve their dreams. To this end, he assured the school of the ministry’s all round support to it’s good gesture that is targeted at projecting the image of Nigeria to the world positively.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr James Sule, said that a collaborative effort with the ministry of Education and other relevant stakeholders will be put in place to ensure that Mairabot technology study is incorporated into the curriculum of both Primary, Secondary and tertiary Institutions of the country for future benefits.

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