Africa’s digital future will depend on how well young people are exposed to the tools they need to build, test, and solve real problems. Early access to emerging technologies continues to shape how prepared students are to participate in that future.  

Against this backdrop, CWG Plc partnered with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE) to deliver Build-A-Thon 2026, a week-long programme introducing secondary school students to Robotics and the Internet of Things (IoT). The initiative reached over 1,000 students across six states and nine locations, giving them direct, hands-on exposure to how modern connected systems are designed and built. 

For many of the students, this was their first time working with robotics and IoT in a structured setting. Through guided sessions, they explored sensors, circuitry, programming logic, and automation, gradually understanding how different components come together to solve practical problems.  

The approach was hands-on. Students worked in teams, tested ideas, adjusted, and built solutions with support from facilitators along the way.  

“One of the things we care deeply about at CWG is creating opportunities that can make a real difference. When young people are exposed to technology early, it changes how they think about what is possible for them. That is why initiatives like Build-A-Thon matter to us.”  
— Afolabi Sobande, Group COO, CWG Plc  

As the week progressed, their learning took shape in working prototypes built to address everyday challenges. During the final showcase, teams presented solutions designed around automation and IoT applications.  
 

Some of the standout projects included a smart garage system that detects vehicles and controls access automatically, a smart waste bin designed to support better waste management, and other solutions focused on security and everyday utility use cases.  

Beyond the technical output, the programme reflected a quieter but important shift: how quickly students adapted to thinking in systems, collaborating under constraints, and communicating their ideas more clearly as the week went on.  

“What stood out for me was how the students approached the process. Over the course of the week, you could see them become more confident, more curious, and more deliberate in how they approached problem-solving. That transformation is what makes programmes like this truly impactful.”  
— Efe Ukpebor, Head, Brand, Marketing and Communications, CWG Plc  

The Build-A-Thon did not end with presentations. Its real outcome is in the exposure it created; more than 1,000 students now have a clearer sense of how robotics, IoT, and connected systems work in practice.  

Through its partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, CWG Plc continues to support initiatives that make technology more accessible and skills development more practical for young Nigerians.  

At CWG Plc, the focus remains on creating more entry points into technology through awareness and through real, usable experiences that help young people build confidence in what they can create.