UNILAG teens win national Robotics Competition

The Kids and Teens arm of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Lab (AIRLAB) emerged winner in the recently concluded For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Robotics Competition held in Lagos and Abuja.

FIRST is a robotics community that prepares young people for the future through a suite of inclusive, team-based robotics programmes for children between four and 18 years that can be facilitated in school or in structured after-school programmes.

The competition featured various challenges including First Lego League (FLL) for children between ages eight and 12 and First Tech Challenge (FTC) for teenagers between 13 and 16 years.

The kids team made up of 11 pupils of UNILAG Women Society (ULWS) represented the school in the FLL, clinching the outstanding Engineering Award. The prize was awarded to the UNILAG team for building an efficiently designed robot; presenting an innovative project solution, which effectively addresses the season’s challenge as well as displaying and explaining great core values embodied by the team.  

Members of the team include Akintuyi Tamilore; Ojo Opeoluwa; Agbeyo Abolaji; Ogunlade Jesupelumi; Olapoju Damilola; Yinka-Banjo Joseph; Adegbenjo Mayomipo; Amiolemenfe Michelle; Amina Rouna; Faniran Oluwadarasimi and Idowu-Samuel Moses.

At the FTC, UNILAG was represented by Team Contech, comprising students from International School, University of Lagos (ISL) and neighbouring schools. They built robots from scratch, which attempted several challenges and hurdles.

The challenges were aimed at inspiring and empowering students from different backgrounds, locations and schools to build robots, which can solve problems, thereby activating innovative minds.

Coordinated by the Head of Robotics Laboratory, Dr. Chika Yinka-Banjo, both teams were coached by student volunteers at AIRLAB. The competition was brought to Nigeria by Coderina EdTech Foundation, a major sponsor of UNILAG AIRLAB.