Lagos to train teachers, adjunct-instructors on robotics education

Lagos State ministry of basic and secondary education is to commence train-the-trainers exercise on robotics education for teachers in the state to prepare them for the commencement of robotics learning across schools in the state.

Jamiu Ali-Balogun, the Lagos State commissioner for basic and secondary education made this known during his address at the 2025 World Robots Olympiad, Nigeria national competition held in Lagos, when he disclosed that the new national curriculum is being tailored to accommodate robotics as one of the subjects in schools.

“Robotics being the future, we must incorporate it into our national curriculum, which has been done.

“The review is ongoing, but the template of this operational mechanism is yet to be passed to various states to operate,” he said.

However, the commissioner emphasised that the concerned bodies are still working out the synergy between the curriculum and the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO). Hence, the need to train the teachers who will inculcate the robotics knowledge in the youngsters.

“We are likely to invest heavily in training our teachers in this area. I will talk with the TESCOM so that they can have a line of training for the teachers.

“I will encourage all our trainers, most especially the teachers to be up and doing. We look for a way to identify and nurture them; even as the issue of robotics has taken another dimension,” he said.

Ali-Balogun reiterated the need to identify students who have the talents to key into the robotics and technological programmes right from schools, encourage, and develop them.

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He emphasised that by doing so, the government and stakeholders would be giving the students the needed platform to explore the present and the future, and to create a career path.

The commissioner reiterated that Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos State is always committed to improving every area of education in the state; stressing that the governor has given the students the opportunity to participate in international competitions.

“We are really committed to changing the face of our industry by changing the future of our students and the future of our people,” he stressed.

Abisola Obasanya, the chief executive at Arc Lights Foundation, the organisers of World Robots Olympiad competitions in Nigeria said that at the end of the 2025 Nigeria National Competition, winners will be picked at the different categories to represent the country at the global event in Singapore.

“We’re going to pick winners that are going to represent us at the international WRO in Singapore in November.

“The best students will have full sponsorship to represent Nigeria at the World Robotics and Technology Awards,” she said.

Furthermore, she revealed that the scholarship will cost over $10,000 (over N15.3 million) for the traveling logistics such as registration, accommodation, and air-fares, among others to Singapore and back.

Abisola Dokunmu-Adegbite, the Lagos State permanent secretary at the ministry of basic and secondary education described the World Robots Olympiad national competition event as a powerful reminder of the critical role strategic leadership plays in equipping young learners for the future of work.

“As we explore robotics, STEM education, and the transformative power of innovation, let us remain committed to building an ecosystem where Nigerian youth are not just consumers of technology, but bold creators and leaders of the global stage,” she said.