Borno students develop teaching robot for areas affected by insurgency

From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri

A group of secondary school students in Borno State has developed a home-grown robot designed to deliver lessons to school children in communities affected by violence in the North East.

The robot, named MaxZulum, after the state governor, Babagana Zulum, was unveiled in Maiduguri at the graduation ceremony of participants of “Empowering Ideas, Empowering Communities” Artificial Intelligence Bootcamp and Data Analytics Fellowship, organised by the Borno State Information and Communication Technology Development Agency (BICTDA) and an indigenous IT firm, Maxzeeton Technology.

Executive Secretary of BICTDA, Alhaji Kabir Wanori, said the training was part of the state government’s drive, using digital skills to develop and transform young people to become economically independent.

He said the robot was a significant beginning and great innovation, and noted that it could open windows for wider application of robotics in different sectors.

“We want a situation where, in the future, robots can perform tasks in industries and other areas of life,” Wanori said.

Managing Director of Maxzeeton Technology, Abdullahi Usman Abbati, explained that the robot was designed and built by the students following months of training in artificial intelligence and robotics.

He said the programme, which started in September 2024, was initially planned to run for six months but was extended to allow the students develop practical innovations.

He said the project was conceived partly to address challenges in the education sector, especially in communities where shortage of teachers had affected learning and learning. 

He said the robot could support school children both at home and in the classroom, particularly in mathematics.

“The robot is designed to guide learners step by step, especially when they are faced with difficult mathematical problems,” Alkali said.

He said the robotics project has shown the capacity of young people to develop useful technological solutions when given the right training and opportunity.