CITAD Launches Artie Robot, Coding Training of Girls in Kano

Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has initiated an Artie Robot and coding training programme tailored for young girls in Kano State.

CITAD officials training girls at the event

This programme, designed to empower young female students is set to benefit 30 participants across three public secondary schools in its initial phase, as the official launch took place at Government Girls Secondary School Dorayi Karama.

Speaking at the event, Engineer Yunusa Zakari, executive director, CITAD represented by Buhari Abba, highlighted the programme’s objective to enhance the technological and coding skills of secondary school students.

He emphasised the importance of equipping young girls with the necessary skills to pursue careers in the rapidly evolving field of information technology.

Abdulrahman Babatunde, technical officer of Innovation and Creativity at CITAD, stressed the increasing relevance of coding and robotics skills for students, underscoring that learning to code opens up opportunities for innovation and empowerment.

Dr Kabiru Ado Zakirai, executive secretary of the Kano State Senior Secondary Schools Management Board (KSSSMB), noted the historical underrepresentation of women in STEM fields and expressed optimism that early exposure to robotics and coding could ignite a passion for these subjects among girls, paving the way for exciting career prospects in the future.

Malam Umar Yakasai , representing Dr Zakirai, urged students to leverage the knowledge gained from the programme to foster self-reliance.

Participants, including Maimuna Shu’aibu and Fatima Bashir, shared their learning experiences, highlighting various skills acquired, such as utilising robots for tasks like painting, drawing, and writing.