Nigerian Govt Launches ‘Build-A-Thon Program’, Seeks Visionary Educators To Foster Tech Innovation In Schools

Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy has opened applications for teaching roles in its ‘Build-A-Thon’ initiative, aiming to empower tech-savvy educators to mentor the next generation of innovators in secondary schools.

Interested candidates are expected to be based in capitals from select North, East, and Western states.

Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, emphasized the initiative’s role in shaping future tech leaders, stating, “Our journey towards positioning Nigeria as the go-to-market for technical knowledge cannot be achieved without creating a knowledge pipeline that is represented by these young, impressionable minds.”

The Build-A-Thon program, in collaboration with the Raspberry Pi Foundation, seeks to introduce maker culture to senior secondary school students, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills through immersive learning experiences.

Scheduled for January 2024 across three locations, the program aims to engage 1,500 students from 150 schools, recognizing outstanding projects in various categories.

This initiative comprises technology labs, DIY boxes, and workshops to equip students with sought-after technological skills, including 3D printing, embedded systems, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things, ultimately enriching human capital and driving digital advancement in Nigeria.