The Oyo State Government has commenced a two-day training on Robotic, Coding and Artificial Intelligence for Public, Private Secondary and Primary School Students across the state.

The workshop, organized by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology was in collaboration with Coderena EDTECH, an educational outfit that promotes education for youth and digital literacy, with a focus on robotic, coding and artificial intelligence.

Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Salihu Adelabu, while declaring the training open on Wednesday at the Government College, Apata, Ibadan, said that the initiative was aimed at equipping students with the necessary skills to thrive in a technology-driven world.

He submitted that the workshop is a starting point to develop students in various schools in Oyo state in the area of robotic, coding and artificial intelligence.

The commissioner explained that it was important for individuals, particularly those in the teaching profession, to acquire knowledge about the emerging issues, technology and innovation to be able to compete favorably among their peers.

Speaking further at the event that featured the symbolic presentation of donated Robots and First LEGO league challenge kits sets worth Millions of Naira to twenty beneficiary schools, Prof. Adelabu, expressed the readiness of the state government to partner with credible private organizations to develop the education sector of the state.

He noted that the Education Ministry will continue to consider and include registered private schools in Oyo state in the government’s laudable intervention programmes, saying that students in both the private and public schools deserve equal opportunity.

In his remarks, the Board Chairman, Coredina EDTECH, Mr. Niyi Femi expressed concern over the inability of individuals to take advantage of technology at their disposal.

He hinted that the workshop would enable participants understand how best to make use of the critical materials to be given to them at the end of the workshop to solve problems in their immediate environments, and also prepare them for a mock competition on robotic, and artificial intelligence in Oyo state and National championship.

He lauded the leadership of the Oyo State Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology for the support and cooperation received till date, while describing the workshop as a platform to close the gap between private and public-school students.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, Salaudeen Al-ameen, from Oyo State School of Science, Ogbomoso, Olalere Favour , Loyola College, Ibadan and Alaka Balikis , School of Science, Oyo , said their participation is a rare opportunity, saying it would enable them to know more about technology and artificial intelligence in particular.