The Federal Government on Thursday encouraged Nigerians to look beyond obtaining university degrees and focus on skills acquisition and technological advancement.
This call was made by Baffa Dan Agundi, Director General of the National Productivity Centre, during the National Unity Robot Project held at the National Stadium in Abuja.
Agundi highlighted that many skilled artisans, such as vulcanisers, often earn more than graduates working in the civil service.
Similarly, the former majority leader of the Kano State House of Assembly advised parents against rushing underage children through school solely to secure early university admission.
He stated, “I believe Nigeria needs initiatives like this robotic programme. I don’t understand why parents are always eager to send their kids to universities to get degrees that don’t necessarily guarantee productivity. Creative schools can better harness their potential. The schools represented here today are committed to teaching our youth how to be productive from an early age.”
He continued, “The more we focus in this direction, the better for our country. When you look at artisans such as mechanics and vulcanisers, many don’t have degrees, yet they are able to provide for themselves while graduates struggle to find jobs. If you calculate the income of a street vulcaniser, you’ll find that they often earn more than a graduate employed by a government agency or state at any level.”
Agundi also noted, “We need to change our mindset and focus on productivity. That’s why I’ve introduced initiatives for NYSC members at my centre. We aim to equip them with skills so that by the time they finish their service, they can become independent, rather than just completing their service and leaving empty-handed.”
Dr Samira Jibir, President of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), echoed his views, stressing the importance of empowering young minds with skills. She expressed enthusiasm for Nigeria’s rapid technological advancements, particularly in robotics.
Jibir remarked, “The development of robotics in Nigeria mirrors global trends, integrating automation, artificial intelligence, and mechanical systems into sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, and education. Today, we stand at the brink of something extraordinary. Our students are part of a historic movement that can reshape our nation.”
She also urged parents to consider their children’s maturity before pushing them through school too quickly, warning of potential long-term consequences. Jibir called on relevant government agencies to enforce regulations in line with the Federal Government’s directives.
Harvest Ibrahim, the U-Robot project coordinator, explained that his team was motivated by the desire to inspire a new generation of Nigerian children. He shared that 10,000 participants, aged two to 15, were selected from various nursery, primary, and secondary schools to join the assembly team. Under the supervision of AI experts, these children will learn about identity definition, material sourcing, and robot assembly, beginning within 60 days of engagement.
Ibrahim said, “Globally, robots symbolise humanity’s efforts to recreate human abilities to improve life. Our aim is to foster a new generation of productivity-focused Nigerians through this exciting national project.”
He added, “While we may not be launching men to the moon yet, thousands of Nigerian children are poised to make a positive mark on the global stage through the National Unity Robot Project.”
