Borno students build robot teacher to help children learn

By Hamisu Kabir Matazu, Maiduguri

A group of secondary school students in Borno State has built a robot that can teach children, especially those living in communities affected by insecurity or places where there are not enough teachers.

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The robot, named *Max Zulum*, was unveiled on Tuesday during the graduation ceremony of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Bootcamp and Data Analytics Fellowship in Maiduguri.

The students spent six months learning coding, robotics, artificial intelligence and data analytics before working together to create the robot.

According to the organisers, the robot is designed to help pupils understand difficult subjects like Mathematics by explaining answers step by step. It can answer spoken questions and display solutions on a screen attached to its body.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Maxzeeton Technology said the project shows what young Nigerians can achieve when they are given the right training and opportunities.

He added that the robot is a sign that local students can create technology that solves real problems in their communities.

The Executive Secretary of the Borno State Information and Communication Technology Development Agency (BICTDA), Engr. Kabir Wanori, said the robot is only the beginning. He expressed hope that more young people would develop similar inventions for education, healthcare, agriculture and other sectors.

One of the student developers, Al-Mustapha Kabir Matazu, explained that the robot is about 1.2 metres tall and can listen to questions, respond with spoken explanations and show step-by-step answers on its screen.

“We asked the robot how it solves Mathematics questions, and it explained every step clearly,” he said.

Another student, Fatima Abdulrahman, who won the bootcamp’s innovation award, said the programme changed the way she sees technology.

“I now believe I can build tools that will help children continue learning even when schools are not safe,” she said.

The invention could be useful in Borno State, where many schools have struggled with insecurity and a shortage of teachers over the years.

The students hope their robot will make learning easier and inspire more young Nigerians to use technology to solve problems in their communities.