E-Business
UniAbuja, NITDA Inspire Students on Robotics Technology

University of Abuja played host to hundreds of Students at the Inaugural FIRST® LEGO® League Competition to stimulate the use of Technology in Education among young students in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Technology offers opportunities to stimulate growth, increase innovation and enable individuals and institutions to interact more productively within the global economy.
The visionary leadership of Professor Michael Umale Adikwu, vice-chancellor of the University, whose interest in stimulating young students’ interest in Science and Technology is effusive, upon realizing the possibilities require the need to put technology at the core and also as a part of a mix of productive changes and supporting capabilities, offered supports to the organizers.
The FLL program is a global initiative of a US organisation FIRST® and® LEGO® the Educational toys giant.
The program has an Abuja Based NGO Coderina Education & Technology Foundation as its Regional Operational Partner.
FIRST® LEGO® League, an innovation and robotics program, designed to get children excited about Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), and teach them valuable employment and life skills.
What is interesting about the FLL, and that which sets it apart from every other robotics program, is that it encompasses other elements such as Project where kids carry out actual research work to find innovative solutions to real life issues and it also hems-in Core Values – making kids responsible individuals as well as team players.
With such problems as a growing world population and limited resources as well as an increasing need for energy and the threats of pollution, there is no shortage of problems for engineers to solve.
However, as the number of challenges the world faces is on the rise at a tremendous rate, the number of educated people required to solve these problems must also increase at a tremendous rate.
Unfortunately, that is not happening; simply, the engineering profession is not supplying the number of professionals that the world requires.
But, the Coderina Day held recently at UniAbuja proved to be a defining date in the lives of hundreds of students around the FCT who turned up to compete in the inaugural FIRST® LEGO® League program at the University library.
According to Mr. Olajide Ajayi, a director at Coderina, “FIRST is a unique program that brings together five constituencies: the business community, professional engineers, high school administrators and teachers, universities, and the high school students. You’ve got all five constituencies, working together for the same common goal, and it is very special.”
He added that choice of the location, a newly built ultra-modern library, will forever have a historical significance to the CODERINA team as well as the host University.
“It went down as the first ever event to be held at the venue and also marks the first Abuja FLL regional. The students were entertained and feted. The choice of having the event at a University cannot be overemphasized as it serves to inspire the young students to aspire to higher education.
“Since the mission of FIRST is to inspire students to learn, there exists a symbiotic relationship between FIRST and engineering colleges and universities. In short, FIRST excites students and universities educate students.
“The event at Abuja followed another hugely successful one that took place at the indoor sports hall of the University of Lagos on the 14th of March.
“After only 8 weeks from the time the annual challenge is announced and teams receive their kit of parts to begin to carry out their research on a chosen topic relative to the annual theme, design, test and build their robots, teams enter a regional event where they compete with other teams.
“These competitions are wildly exciting, energetic and motivating. They have been described as ‘part robot-festival, part music-concert and all around fun.’”
Teams from seven Public/Government Schools, University of Abuja Staff School and four private Schools made up the 12 competing teams with each team parading ten team members and two mentors.
Teams were registered and presented with T-shirts with logos of sponsors FLL, SAP, NITDA, Coderina and the host, University of Abuja to wear for the event.
The competition started in earnest with a recital of the national anthem and a brief speech on what to expect during the day. Teams were handed am coordinators to direct them to each of the judging rooms for Project, Core values and robot design. While judging was going on the DJ supplied music to the large arena as students, parents, Stem Ambassadors and all present merry.
After the completion of judging the stage was set for the Robot game: a spectator sport for all to witness.
Three representatives of each team were called to each of the practice tables to finalise their preparation prior to moving to the main tables to compete and showcase what they have been able to do over the 8-week period.
They have worked assiduously on building robots and programming them to carry out designated missions on the thematic table.
After three rigorous rounds, two teams, NITDA Techno Group and NITDA Spiders emerged to compete in a best of 2 rounds finals.
With the finals concluded and a review of results of other components (project, robot game, robot design and core values.) by the head judge, Judge Advisor and the Lead judges.
They unanimously crowned the NITDA Techno Group as the overall champion.
Mr. Audu Sheidu, principal of University of Abuja International Secondary School got a special mention for his high level of interest and motivation of his students in getting them involved in the program.
The research project threw up some interesting topics e.g. “Teaching young girls about the ills and effects of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)” by Great Heights Academy and the “effects of Deforestation on the Society” by Students of the Government Secondary School Area 10 Abuja.
Other awards recipients include NITDA Spiders (Great Heights Academy Abuja) – Gracious Professionalism; NITDA Lion (Hillside School Abuja) – Robot Tech; NITDA Techno Group (Tudunwada Secondary School) – Robot Performance; NITDACrown (University of Abuja International School) – Judges Award; NITDA Crystallite (Government Secondary School Area 10 Abuja) – Project Award; Outstanding Volunteer Award went to Bello Saliu of Government Secondary School Area 10 Abuja and Outstanding Coordinator Award – Mrs Bankole of Banky’s School.
Ajayi said, “The true spirit of these competitions is not the outcome of the matches, but rather the purpose of the activity. ‘What is celebrated at FIRST is not who can gather the most points during a competition, but rather which teams can best inspire and motivate youth to pursue studies and careers in technology.’ Simply put what the Students learn over the course of the program would be more than what they win.
“It is pertinent to note that, during the course of the program and tournaments, FLL teams demonstrate gracious professionalism through their respect for each other, courtesy, sportsmanship and best behaviour at all times. As enthused by the team at FIRST “By celebrating technology and providing a forum to promote engineers as role models, theculture of the participants is changed. And, who knows, the culture of our society may change as well.” These are the Core Values of the FLL Program”
The event had in attendance some special dignitaries including Professor Mashi, deputy vice chancellor of University of Abuja, Yelwa representing NITDA, Representatives of FCT Universal Basic Education and the Secondary Education Boards, Principals/Administrator of some of the participating schools, Parents and a host of others.
“In the 2015 FIRST® LEGO® League TRASH TREKSM Challenge, 290,000 children ages 9 to 16* from over 80 countries will explore the fascinating world of trash.
From collection, to sorting, to smart production and reuse, there is more to your trash than meets the eye.
“Join FIRST LEGO League teams on a Trash Trek to discover the hidden (or not so hidden) world of trash!” Ajayi urged the Nigerian IT community.
He added that school administrators, State and Federal Ministries of Education are encouraged to embrace this initiative geared towards helping to shape the future of education in Nigeria.
E-Business
Minister Seeks Digital Tech Adoption to Improve Agriculture, Boost Food Security

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has called for the urgent adoption of digital technology in Nigeria’s agricultural sector to boost food production, curb rising prices, and reduce the country’s dependence on food imports.
Speaking on Thursday in Abeokuta at the Ogun Tech Forward Innovation & Startups Roundtable session, Tijani stressed that Nigeria’s vast arable land and large population could only be effectively harnessed through technological intervention.
He warned that without embracing innovation, traditional farming practices would remain inefficient and expensive, putting food security at risk.
“Technology innovation has already contributed 16 to 18 per cent, but we are aiming for 21 per cent. We need to introduce our technology into agriculture to produce enough food to feed ourselves
“Without technology, countries like Nigeria cannot practise agriculture effectively. We have the vast land, but without technology, we won’t do it well,” the minister said.
Tijani noted that the continuous rise in food prices and the country’s dependence on foreign exchange to import grains that can be grown locally is unsustainable.
He emphasised that leveraging tools such as mobile apps, drones, sensors, and data analytics could transform Nigeria’s farming landscape by enabling precision agriculture and providing real-time insights on soil conditions, pest control, crop health, and intruder detection.
He maintained that the deployment of such technologies would not only enhance farming efficiency and sustainability but also lead to higher yields, lower production costs, and ultimately, more affordable food for Nigerians.
The minister also made a broader case for inclusive innovation across the country, cautioning that Nigeria’s technological future cannot be shaped by a few urban centres alone.
He said the federal government would support emerging tech ecosystems, especially in states like Ogun, to ensure grassroots participation in the digital economy.
Tijani declared, “We can’t leave innovation in the hands of just a few cities. Every part of Nigeria, including towns and rural areas, must be part of the digital journey. The more people we carry along, the stronger we become as a country.”
Tijani, however, revealed that the federal government would back Ogun Tech Hub’s initiative aimed at creating 300 jobs through business process outsourcing as part of a broader vision to transform Nigerian states into ‘talent cities’.
He said, “If we don’t invest in our own people, we’ll keep depending on others for solutions. We must create space for local ideas to grow and become real businesses.”
The minister further called for the integration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and drones into key sectors, particularly agriculture, while advocating for the adoption of generative AI in education to support personalised, accessible learning across communities.
In his remarks, the President of the Ogun Tech Community, Adekunle Durosinmi, called on the federal government to provide strategic support to accelerate the growth of the state’s digital ecosystem.
He urged the minister to facilitate the establishment of a functional innovation hub and a permanent secretariat to nurture local startups.
Durosinmi highlighted the critical role Ogun State plays in Nigeria’s economic framework, describing it as a major industrial hub and strategic transport corridor linking Lagos with the rest of the country and West Africa.
He said that with 57 per cent of its 7.1 million projected population in the working-age category, Ogun State possesses immense potential for digital innovation, job creation, and youth development.
“Ogun State is uniquely positioned to become a national leader in technology and entrepreneurship. We have more than 29 tertiary institutions—more than any other state in the country—which makes us a natural home for innovation,” he said.
Since its launch in February 2022 and formal registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission, Durosimi stated that the Ogun Tech Community has organised various initiatives aimed at strengthening digital literacy, cybersecurity awareness, and grassroots tech engagement.
He noted that the community has created 19 active clusters, ranging from developers and mentors to women in tech and agritech specialists, all working together to drive inclusive growth in the tech space.
He reiterated the community’s alignment with the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill 2024, stressing that its programmes, governance structure, and advocacy are geared toward promoting digital literacy, supporting startups and SMEs, encouraging e-government services, and fostering responsible digital innovation.
He also stressed that collaboration between government, industry, academia, and the tech ecosystem is key to achieving national development goals.
He expressed appreciation for Tijani’s presence at the roundtable, describing it as a clear indication of the federal government’s commitment to inclusive innovation.
“We want to see such solutions replicated across the country. To accelerate this, we need your support. Ogun urgently needs a fully functioning physical secretariat and, importantly, a dedicated innovation hub to nurture and grow even more startups,” he said.
E-Business
NOTAP, REVASS Ink Agreement to Strengthen Tech Compliance

National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) has signed an agreement with Revass System limited to strengthen technology acquisition compliance through its regulatory framework and boost sustainable capacity in the country.
Speaking during the signing of the agreement in Abuja, Dr. Obiageli Amadiobi, director general and chief executive officer, NOTAP, said that the agreement is to reinforce NOTAP’s core mission of ensuring that technology imported into the Country serves the broader interest particularly in advancing local content development, nurturing indigenous capabilities and ensuring sustainable job creation.
In a statement made available to journalists by Raymond Ogbu, assistant chief information officer, NOTAP, the DG said that the major purpose of the agreement was for Revass Systems limited to design, develop, deploy and manage a secure and efficient digital revenue collection system for NOTAP that will be in compliance with NOTAP Act, Central Bank of Nigeria CBN financial guidelines, NITDA policies, and other applicable Nigerian laws.
The DG said that the app should enhance transparency, accountability, and operational efficiency in revenue collection and management as well as build the capacity of NOTAP staff through structured training and technology transfer initiatives.
Dr. Amadiobi stated that the agreement reflects a strategic approach to safeguarding Nigeria’s economic and technological independence by ensuring that every technology transferred into the country delivers tangible value to Nigerians.
“This partnership represents a pivotal step in ensuring that technologies coming into Nigeria are not only in compliance with Nigerian laws but also aligned with the country’s developmental priorities”.
“The goal of the agency is to ensure that every agreement NOTAP registers, contributes meaningfully to critical skills development, job creation and growth of local enterprises” she said.
The Director General reaffirmed that the milestone is in consonance with the strategic vision of the supervising ministry, the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (FMIST) as well as the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu to transform the country into a knowledge-based economy driven by local capabilities, productive collaborations, and build globally competitive talents.
“No meaningful developments could happen in critical areas of our economy without the deployment of technology hence the office is making every effort to deploy technology in all its operations to ensure efficient and timely service delivery” she added.
E-Business
NEPC, NBS Sign MoU on Data Capturing

Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate data collection from Informal Cross Border Trade.
Nonye Ayeni, executive director/CEO of NEPC, at the signing ceremony held in Abuja, Nigeria’s Capital said the event marked a major turning point in Nigeria’s quest to grow its export trade through the capturing of data in the informal sector.
“Existing trade data primarily capture activities within the formal sector, offering limited visibility into informal export trade transactions, despite their significant volume and economic impact. In 2024, formal export trade records indicate that 7.291 million metric tons of non-oil products valued at US$5.456 billion, were exported from Nigeria. This figure excludes informal export trade data”, she added.
She stated that the Informal cross-border trade is not just a distant, peripheral activity but real trade that fuels livelihoods, strengthens regional supply chains, and contributes significantly to our national and continental economic resilience.
According to her, “Informal export trade representing millions of dollars in goods and services has remained largely outside our official records. Informal export trade data collected by NEPC State offices from major corridors in Kano, Jigawa, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Lagos, Ogun, and Adamawa reveal transactions valued at over $31.8 million in some months of 2024”.
Ayeni disclosed that reports from the National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN), shows that over 1.6 million bags worth of the commodity were traded informally to neighbouring countries such as Ghana, Cote D Ivoire, Benin, Cameroon, Congo, and Niger Republic.
The NEPC boss pointed out that these impressive achievements were not captured in the national export trade statistics thus portending real implications for economic planning for the country.
“It weakens Nigeria’s voice in regional and global trade negotiations, it denies informal traders the recognition and support they need to thrive as well as diminishes Nigeria’s economic potential, especially the vital contributions of women, youth, and MSMEs”.
Ayeni explained that the collaboration between the Council and the NBS was borne out of the desire to correct the imbalance and capture the full spectrum of Nigeria’s export trade activity.
Adeyemi Adeniran, statistician general of the Federation, noted that the meeting of key players from national and sub-national agencies, regional institutions, international development partners, and the organized private sector, reflects the strong spirit of collaboration required to address one of the most pressing challenges in Nigeria’s trade data architecture, capturing and integrating data from informal trade and trade in services into the national framework.
Adeniran was of the view that the data gap severely impedes evidence-based policymaking, limits capacity to engage in fair trade negotiations, and undermines the accuracy of macroeconomic indicators adding that traditional trade measurement systems have long focused on formal, large-scale transactions while overlooking the vibrancy of informal trade routes.
He disclosed that informal trade in Sub-Saharan Africa contributes between 20 to 40 per cent of intra-African trade, with Nigeria accounting for a significant share due to its long and porous borders.
“These are not just gaps in data, rather, they represent gaps in our understanding of economic life and the well-being of millions of Nigerians who engage in these activities daily”, he said
Adeniran said the collaboration with NEPC, presents a timely opportunity to update and harness current trends, identify new opportunities, and design data-informed strategies to support trade formalization, enhance competitiveness, and ultimately foster inclusive economic growth.
“Capturing informal trade data will also help us design smarter border policies, enhance food security, facilitate small and medium enterprise development, and monitor regional integration efforts,” he added.
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