Nigerian social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has reportedly sponsored an 18-year-old self-taught roboticist, Darlyton Ovwieghosuotu, also known as Smartician, to study robotics in China.
VDM reportedly discovered the teenager on Instagram after he shared videos of appliances he built from scratch using locally sourced materials, including a washing machine, blender, wireless power bank and projector.
In a video announcing the development, VDM was said to have informed Smartician that his trip to China would be via EgyptAir and encouraged him to appreciate the significance of the journey, noting that it could be about a year before he returns to Nigeria.
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According to reports, VDM committed $50,000, said to be approximately ₦75 million, from a cash gift he received from a benefactor to support the initiative.
The funds were reportedly used partly to settle VDM’s personal debts, while the remaining amount was allocated to cover Smartician’s tuition, welfare, feeding, and travel expenses.
Smartician reportedly received his Chinese student visa on December 18, while final documentation and approvals were completed ahead of his planned relocation.
He is reportedly scheduled to resume his studies on October 12, 2026.
The sponsorship has drawn attention to the teenager’s inventive abilities and the potential of supporting young Nigerians with skills in science, technology and engineering.
