SID LAUNCHES 5-DAY ROBOTICS TOT TO EMPOWER EDUCATORS ACROSS ANAMBRA

By Henrietta Madichie

The Solution Innovation District (SID), in its continued drive to position Anambra State as a hub for digital excellence, has launched a transformative 5-day Robotics Training of Trainers (ToT) with Circum Technologies in Awka.

The training was designed to empower educators and youth mentors with the skills and tools to teach robotics and digital problem-solving to thousands of students across the state.

The program was formally declared open by Ms. Chinwe Okoli, Special Adviser to the Governor on Innovation and Business Incubation, who praised the initiative as a critical investment in the future of Anambra’s children.

“This is how we build a digital tribe, not by waiting for the future, but by shaping it ourselves. SID is not just teaching robotics, they are teaching innovation, creativity, and leadership.”

Running from July 1 to July 5, the ToT includes intensive hands-on training on robotics hardware, software programming, classroom facilitation, and curriculum development. Participants are learning how to assemble and code functional robots using platforms like Arduino, Scratch, and basic sensors, and are being guided on how to replicate the training effectively in their schools and communities.

The ToT marks the first phase of a broader program which will continue until August 30, 2025, during which trained facilitators are expected to cascade their knowledge by organizing local robotics sessions and competitions.

A participant, Mr.Ndife Shadrach Nwafor, a secondary school ICT teacher from Ihiala, expressed his excitement. “This training has demystified robotics for me. I now see how I can teach it even with minimal tools. Our students are about to enter a whole new world”.

Dr. Law Mefor, the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, on behalf of the state government commended the Robotics Training of Trainers (TOT) program being implemented under the Solution Innovation District (SID), describing it as a landmark initiative in Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s digital transformation agenda.

Mefor further stressed that the government is fully interested in creating an enabling environment where youths can thrive in Science, technology, engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

He called on the Ndi-Anambra, Community leaders, Parents and Stakeholders to support and encourage young people to take the advantage of such programs.

SID’s Robotics Program is part of the larger One Million Anambra Digital Tribe vision driven by Governor Soludo to eradicate digital illiteracy and empower youth with future-facing skills.

With the Robotics ToT underway, SID has once again demonstrated that when educators are empowered, communities thrive, and the future becomes programmable.

Henrietta is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State