By Paul Joseph
Olajide Ademola Ajayi, the founder of the Coderina Foundation, has awarded international sponsorship to the top five schools in the recently concluded 2025-2026 First Lego League National Championship in Abuja.
At the AI sporting event, Mr. Ajayi emphasised the importance of early engagement in technology, highlighting the need to support young people in artificial intelligence (AI) as it becomes increasingly important globally.
While congratulating the winners, he reaffirmed Coderina’s commitment to inspiring youth in AI education and promoting digital literacy and innovation.
He expressed appreciation for the high level of participation from teachers across the country, stating, “Next year, you will see more AI solutions and projects emerging from this event.”
The founder also commended the Nigerian government for its support in advancing technology.
In the interview, Nigerian Minister of Education Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, represented by Dr. Adenike Olodo Muyibat, the Director of Technology and Science Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, reiterated the government’s commitment to youth-focused technology initiatives.
She emphasised the necessity for Nigeria to adapt to the global shift towards artificial intelligence, noting that increased interest among young people has led to greater government investment in STEM, TVET, and emerging technologies.
“The introduction of AI has simplified many processes, and exposing youth to this field opens doors to innovation,” the minister stated.
She thanked Coderina for its collaboration with the Ministry of Education and highlighted training initiatives aimed at empowering teachers.
Awards were presented to participants in different categories, recognising their dedication throughout the championship. One participant, Kadijat Ibrahim from Government Secondary School Mabushi in Abuja, expressed her joy and surprise after winning the “Best Engineering Student” award.
“I’m thrilled because this is my first time here. I didn’t expect this; I just came to gain some experience,” she shared, moved to tears.
The event showcased innovative robot designs through regional competitions, with winners advancing to national and international levels, promoting teamwork and creativity in technological solutions.
This programme serves as a premier platform for young innovators to showcase their skills. The championship aims to enhance AI skills and STEM education among Nigerian youth, focusing on team collaboration as participants complete complex missions in robot games.
Building on previous events, Nigerian teenagers are making significant strides in the global technology arena, particularly in innovation and youth-led problem-solving.
The 2026 event, organised by Coderina in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education, continues to enhance technology education as essential for Nigeria’s future workforce. Young competitors confidently transformed classroom knowledge into practical solutions and real-world innovations.
Participating students from across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, including federal, unity, state, and private schools, witnessed the event rapidly becoming a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s advancement in artificial intelligence, robotics, and global technology leadership.
As the 2025-2026 First Lego League National Coding and Robotics Championships conclude, five top schools have been selected to represent Nigeria in the global competition, joining participants from the United States, Canada, Rwanda, and Australia.
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