Enugu Secondary School Students Develop Teaching Robot To Tackle Japa Syndrome

Worried by the alarming rate of mass migration of Nigerian teachers to various parts of the world for greener pastures, secondary school students of Shalom Science and Technology Academy (SSTAC), Emene, Enugu State, have developed a teaching robot that can carry out teaching activities like human beings.

Named Nkuzi 1.0, meaning Teaching one point zero in English translation, has the capacity to offer teaching Activities for students anywhere in the world, particularly after its modification.

The school, which had last week, December 1st, 2025, to be precise, emerged winner in the just concluded 2025 Junior Engineers Technicians and Scientists Competition organized by the Nigeria Society of Engineers held at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State.

Briefing newsmen weekend in Enugu in the company of the school principal, Mr. Odaudu Thomas, and other Staff on some of the feats recorded so far in the academy, including the scientific breakthrough and recent Ibadan victory, Director of Administration, Mr. Tochukwu Onu, said the school is committed to nurturing and producing young Engineers who would take over from the aging ones.

He noted that the academy narrowly missed the first position last year in the national competition when it came second.

According to him, “Shalom Science and Technology Academy (SSTAC) is a pioneering Cambridge International STEM school located in Emene, Enugu State, Nigeria.

It was established by the Proprietor, Dr. Wilfred Onu, with a clear vision to nurture a new generation of scientifically minded, technologically skilled, and morally grounded young Africans, adding that “SSTAC stands today as one of the most forward-thinking secondary schools in the region.

“Born out of the legacy of Shalom Academy Nsukka (SAN)—a school that represented Nigeria internationally after winning national Olympiads in 2008 and 2009, stressing that the school was founded to bridge a critical gap, transforming strong theoretical brilliance into practical, 21st-century STEM competence.

“The school was purpose-built to give children early exposure to science, engineering, robotics, computing, innovation, and problem-solving, ensuring they can compete globally and contribute locally.

He expressed happiness that the school won the first position after presenting their Nkuzi 1.0 Teaching Robot that displayed many teaching activities during the competition.

The Director, Administrative averred that the migration of teachers popularly known as Japa Syndrome, insecurity, among other challenges necessitated their decision to bridge the gap.

He however, described the Nkuzi 1.0 robot as a device powered by artificial intelligence that assist in the teaching process especially when the teacher is weak and tired.

” It became necessary at the peak of the Japa Syndrome, Nkuzi 1.0 will not be at the airport to stop people who want to Japa but it became an alternative reality. It was designed to be able to perform teaching activities.

“So, the robot was designed to aid our teachers. The robot can lecture, the robot can take a lecture. We want to modify it to be more interactive.

He commended the proprietor of the college, Dr Wilfred Onu as well as Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State for promoting experiential learning method.

The students he hinted, started participating in the learning method long before it actually commenced officially in the state.

He explained that the Junior Engineers Technicians and Scientific Competition being hosted by the Nigeria Society of Engineers was meant to select schools and students that are intellectually high achievers when it comes to the areas of science, and technology Engineering and mathematics.

The Director of Administration said that the competition was intended to raise a crop of future engineers and other people who will help to build society.

In their separate comments, the two students who represented the school at the Ibadan competition, Miss Ibekwe Chimamanda and Master Onwu Emmanuel, expressed joy that they returned home victorious after clinching the first position.