A team of secondary school students in Borno State has successfully built and unveiled an indigenous, artificial intelligence-powered humanoid robot designed to serve as a classroom teacher in hard-to-reach and conflict-affected communities.
The functional prototype, officially named “Max Zulum” in honour of Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, made its public debut during a graduation ceremony in the state capital of Maiduguri.
The technological breakthrough emerged from an intensive six-month “Empowering Ideas, Empowering Communities” Artificial Intelligence Bootcamp and Data Analytics Fellowship aimed at leveraging digital innovation to counter acute teacher shortages across the region.
Designed to address severe teacher shortages caused by regional instability, the “Max Zulum” robot was developed by students from six local institutions to provide educational access in, at times, inaccessible areas.
While Borno State’s average learner-to-teacher ratio is 46:1, this number can soar to 124:1 in remote, conflict-affected schools.
“During the demo, we asked the robot ‘How does it solve mathematical solutions?’ and it walked us through the entire process, highlighting each step on the screen,” a student developer explained. Another participant, Fatima Abdulrahman, noted the project demonstrated the tangible impact of technology on their community.
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“After just six months of intensive training, our students have turned theory into a functional prototype that can support pupils both at home and in the classroom,” said Abdullahi Usman Abbati, Managing Director of Maxzeeton Technology, emphasising the project’s role in fostering local, homegrown AI solutions.
Highlighting the project as a key, foundational step in the region’s digital transformation, Engr. Kabir Wanori, Executive Secretary of BICTDA, expressed hope for further student-led innovations to address challenges in sectors like education and healthcare.
Following the launch, Maxzeeton Technology announced an expanded, 100-person cohort for its upcoming AI and robotics fellowship.
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Bio: Joseph Michael is an MBA graduate in Marketing from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology and a passionate tech enthusiast. As a professional writer and author at AIbase.ng, he simplifies complex AI concepts, explores digital innovation, and creates practical guides for Nigerian learners and businesses. With a background in marketing and brand communication, Joseph brings clarity, insight, and real-world relevance to every article he writes.
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