Avishkaar National Robotics Contest: Nigerian Students Shine at STEM Challenges

Funmi Ogundare

Winners emerged at the 2024 maiden edition of the Avishkaar National Robotics competition in Nigeria in partnership with WAAQ Fusion Integrated Services.

The competition themed, ‘The Rise of the Machines’, aimed at inspiring and promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education among students in Nigeria, witnessed pupils and students from about 10 schools showcasing their skills in Robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and coding to tackle real-life problems.

It featured three categories: IRC (Robotics construction), Makeathon (Engineering Innovation), and Gameathon (coding challenges) for the primary, junior, middle, and senior leagues.

The global Avishkaar Robotics League 2024 competition will see winners representing Nigeria in the second stage at the Avishkaar International Robotics Competition in Delhi, India.

Mrs. Quadrah Ololade Jimoh, co-founder of WAAQ Fusion Integrated Services, explained that the competition aimed to prepare young learners for a tech-driven future by integrating problem-solving and creativity into education.  

“We want Nigerian students to be 21st-century compliant by exposing them to robotics and coding. This initiative is about developing solutions for global challenges while inspiring innovation in our youth. This competition is more than just an event. It’s a platform to inspire the next generation of problem-solvers and innovators who can shape the future of Nigeria and beyond,” she stated.

Director of Olive Crescent Scholars, one of the participating schools, Mrs Aminu Ibrahim Maryam, emphasised the Avishkaar kits, which enabled hands-on learning and equipped students with coding, engineering, and problem-solving skills. 

According to her, the competition reflects the impact of STEM education in developing critical thinkers and innovators, so I had to ensure my school was part of it.

Mr. Olanrewaju Jimoh, Director and co-founder of WAAQ Fusion, stressed the need for government support in STEM education.

“The government needs to do more to support STEM education. While private schools are adopting these technologies due to competition, public schools are still lagging behind. Collaboration and grants are essential to making robotics and coding education more accessible.

“This competition is more than just an event. It is a platform to inspire the next generation of problem-solvers and innovators who can shape the future of Nigeria and beyond,” he said. 

Jimoh added that his organisation plans to make the competition an annual event and expand it to include participation in other global STEM initiatives such as the World Robotics Olympia.

“We are also hoping to streamline planning to give winners sufficient time to prepare for international contests,” Jimoh noted.