Schools from Lagos State have emerged as top performers at the 2025 Nigeria National Competition of the World Robot Olympiad, showcasing the state’s growing leadership in robotics education.
Themed “The Future of Robots,” the competition featured pupils across primary to senior secondary school levels, competing in categories such as RoboMission (Elementary, Junior, Senior) and RoboSports.
New Era Girls Secondary School led the pack by clinching first place in both the RoboMission Junior and Senior categories. Other Lagos-based schools—Eva Adelaja Girls Secondary School, Okesuna Junior High School, and Ojota Junior and Senior High Schools—also secured top positions.
In the RoboSports category, Lagos teams—Team Megamind, Team Imperial, and Team Cyberstorm—swept the top prizes, further highlighting the dominance of the state’s representatives.
According to organisers, the strong performance was a direct result of the Lagos State Government’s sustained investment in digital and STEM education.
Speaking at the event, Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Ali-Balogun, said, “Robotics is not just the future—it is the present. It’s already transforming sectors like medicine. We must incorporate it fully into our curriculum, and this achievement by our students shows we are on the right path.”
The event was organised by the Arclight Foundation as part of the global World Robot Olympiad initiative, which encourages innovation and critical thinking through robotics education.
Chief Executive Officer of Arclight Foundation, Abisola Obasanya, attributed Lagos’ success to its early adoption of robotics in public schools. “Lagos has consistently invested in robotics education. It’s no surprise that most of our winning students come from their public schools,” she said.
Obasanya emphasised that preparing today’s children for the future of work requires a shift from traditional learning to a focus on artificial intelligence and robotics. “If you must thrive in 2030, you must understand robotics and AI. But beyond that, we are building children who are solution drivers. These children will transform every space they find themselves in—whether as teachers, engineers, cleaners, or leaders,” she added.
She also noted that the foundation’s goal goes beyond hosting competitions. “Our real focus is not just the contest. It’s about the knowledge—how do we raise children who think differently, who build differently, and who solve problems uniquely?”
Founder of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Nigeria, Olusola Ayoola, also spoke at the event, calling for a nationwide integration of robotics into the school curriculum. “We must measure our advancement by our children’s ability to innovate and think critically. Without advanced training in robotics, we cannot expect advanced robotics solutions,” he said.
The World Robot Olympiad has become a major platform for Nigerian students to showcase their talents globally. Winning teams from the national competition often go on to represent Nigeria on the international stage.
Obasanya also shared the journey of Arclight Foundation from its origins as a LEGO distributor in 2011 to becoming a major player in STEM education. She highlighted the foundation’s four flagship centres: the Technology Centre, Teachers Development Centre, Research and Advocacy Centre, and School Transformation Centre.
“Even when STEM wasn’t popular in Nigeria, we were already teaching robotics, coding, and other creative skills. Our goal is to raise Nigerian children who can think and build their way into the future,” she said.
