Lagos Students Shine at 2025 World Robot Olympiad in Singapore

Lagos State has celebrated a major win on the global stage after its student teams delivered an impressive showing at the 2025 World Robot Olympiad (WRO) International Final in Singapore, securing top positions across multiple categories and ranking among Africa’s best.

The state’s 17-man delegation, led by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, joined more than 3,300 young innovators from 112 countries at what organisers described as the largest WRO edition yet. This year’s theme, “The Future of Robots,” challenged participants to design intelligent solutions for agriculture, sustainability, urban systems, healthcare, and space exploration.

Over three days, students competed in robot missions, innovation projects, and engineering challenges, with Nigeria also recognized as one of the highest users of WRO’s digital learning platforms.

Lagos teams stood out across the continent:

• Okesuna Junior Secondary School, Lagos Island placed 2nd in Africa in the Future Innovators (Junior) category with SMART GUARD BOT, an AI-powered electrical fault-detection robot designed for high-density communities. The team includes students Taiwo Oluwasemilore Elizabeth (13), Adegboye Esther Idunnu (15), and coach Mrs. Dorcas Ogundipe.
• Government Technical College, Ikotun emerged 3rd in Africa in the Senior category with a solar-powered precision-farming robot built on Lego and SPAR systems. The project aligns with SDGs 2, 7, 9 and 13, targeting climate-smart agriculture. Team members are Izahben Goodluck (15), Olawoye Solomon (15), and coach Mr. Olasupo Kolawole.
• New Era Senior High School, Surulere clinched 1st in Africa in the Robo Mission (Senior) category, demonstrating strong engineering execution. The team includes Adigun Mariam (15), Saliu Ameerat (15), and coach Mr. Akingbade Olalekan.
• New Era Girls Junior Secondary School, Surulere secured 2nd in Africa in the Robo Mission (Junior) category, represented by Ishaq Habeebat (12), Adigun Khadijat (13), and coach Mr. Ogundeyi Adewale.

Officials say the wins reflect Lagos’ expanding investment in STEM and robotics training, and the growing capacity of Nigerian students to compete globally. The Ministry added that the students’ solutions, from electrical safety to climate-smart farming, show how young innovators are beginning to design tools that respond directly to local challenges.

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The World Robot Olympiad remains one of the world’s biggest youth robotics events, aimed at inspiring problem-solving, creativity and hands-on STEM learning among children and teenagers.