5 Nigerian Students Have Been Selected To Fly Nigeria’s Flag At The 2019 Global Robotics Olympics in Dubai

Five secondary students from schools across the nation have been selected to represent Nigeria in the 2019 edition of the Global Robotics Olympics in Dubai this October.

Kosi Ugoji, Gbemileke Ogunrayewa, Isaac Ibidun, Toluwaniyin Ojo-Osagie and Sonia Bendrewere were selected from 50 secondary schools across the country during a try-out session to fly the colours of Nigeria at the First Global Robotics Olympics.

The selected students pending the commencement of the competition will be grilled on the rudiments of robot design through exhibitory tutorials in maths, physics and engineering including programming especially using Java.

Scheduled for October, this will be the third time the country will be participating in this global competition. Founded by Dean Kamen, a philanthropic inventor, to inspire burning passion for science and technology, leadership and innovation among the growing population of global youths, the First Global Challenge sets in place the growing blocks for an Olympics-style robotics event.

Our continued sponsorship of the First Global competition is a testimonial of our belief in Nigeria and the Nigerian youth. As a nation with a growing youth population, this platform will further catalyse our potential to solve our own problems and some of the world’s greatest challenges using technology.

Faisal Jarmakani Managing Director, Aramex Nigeria and co-sponsor of the First Global Olympics

It is structured to exhibit the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skill for the innovation of the future. The global challenge focuses the minds of young people on overcoming the world’s greatest challenges with advancing technology.

The 2019 Global Robotics Olympics tagged ‘Ocean Opportunity’ draws attention to the critical issue of ocean pollution. In addition, it brings into perspective the ways technology can be deployed for the preservation of ocean and wildlife.

In Africa, we need children that can think and collectively file solutions to their problems. By guiding these children to develop the skills to be critical thinkers and problem solvers, Africa and indeed Nigeria, will learn to solve its own problems by itself. This is the only way we can compete evenly in a technology-driven world.

Mrs Remi Willoughby CEO, Roboglobal Educational Consulting and national coordinator of the First Global Olympics.

During the first-ever First Global Olympics in Washington DC, USA in 2017 Team Nigeria was placed 25th of the 163 competing teams from 157 countries, 3rd among the teams representing the 41 African countries in attendance.

A gathering of young people geared towards leadership, innovation, cooperation and understanding of the world’s most pressing issues is paramount to improving the quality of life on earth.