Virtual reality what it means to you in Africa

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are not the same things

Basically, it is a computer-generated simulation that replaces one’s environment. On the other hand, AR is when the enhancement of one’s real-world with some virtual objects is used. This is when you get to add computer-generated content to your existing reality. Snapchat face filters or Pokemon Go are examples of AR.


According to Judith Okonkwo, founder of Imisi 3D, a virtual reality (VR) creation lab in Yaba, “Virtual reality is the one thing that has the greatest potential to completely transform the historic challenges we have had around education”.
In a classroom where students are restricted by walls and resources, employing virtual reality can create an immersive environment that can completely redefine learning. According to Adam Stone, “With a 3D, immersive experience, we can for the first time “be there” without being there. We can “handle” objects without touching them.”
In many Nigerian classrooms where there are hardly any learning materials to touch and students do not explore, the benefits of VR  cannot be overemphasized.
With VR and relevant content, students can understand abstract concepts better when they are visually represented. Hands-on experiments in controlled environments that are impossible to coordinate in real-life situations can also be made possible. From dissecting a cockroach or a lion in a virtual lab to traveling the world, nothing will be impossible.

VR has the potential to help Africa tackle major issues in education and healthcare, amongst other pressing issues the continent faces.

In education, many government-funded schools are over-populated with students combined with limited teaching and financial resources. with VR [as a learning aid] students can do experiments in virtual labs; explore the pyramids of Egypt, the human body or the solar system!Experiences that are not economically viable would be a possibility without ever having to leave the classroom or overburden a school’s already strained resources.
And since revamping the educational system is a recurring theme, VR would completely redefine learning in this area.

Even around the world, VR is still considered an emerging technology.

Despite this, Judith Okonkwo states that VR is only limited by the creator’s imagination.
And although the ecosystem gets new stakeholders with time, there is definitely more room on the table to figure out VR’s direction, particularly in Africa.
Especially around the issues of healthcare and education is trying to solve.

Widespread adoption for VR is slowly but steadily growing

Virtual Reality as a pursuit can be cost-intensive, coupled with the fact that the concept is still gaining traction. The adoption of VR in Africa is not going as quickly as this VR evangelist would like.
Encouraging stories from VR content creators to shine a light on the possibilities of Virtual Reality.
A notable achievement such as showing a 360 VR Nigerian documentary at the international Venice Film Festival highlights VR’s growing popularity.
And proponents such as Nubian VR build educational content for Virtual Reality supported by UNICEF Innovate spur the movement forward.

Infrastructure and funding are just the tip of the iceberg for challenges hindering VR adoption

Finding people with the skills and expertise in Extended Reality (XR) technologies, (everything from AR to VR) is a major challenge in Africa.
This is despite the fact that there exists a global demand for people with talent in this particular field.
Besides that, there are currently no government policies or incentives to pursue Virtual Reality as a business in the region. Bear in mind that the challenges of starting and running an enterprise in most parts of Africa are difficult in the best circumstances.

VR is currently the best shot at providing quality education to all students. As with most edtech initiatives, it will require partnerships with relevant stakeholders. The government, instructors, VR developers, and entrepreneurs all have a role to play.
Creating unique content for the Nigerian educational system will involve furnishing individuals with the required skills as well as getting local education content producers involved. Currently, Imisi 3D is building AR/VR communities to ensure this can be achieved and is also offering free scholarships for the Udacity VR Developer Nanodegree. Efforts like this can and should be supported and replicated.
Quality education is now within the reach of every Nigerian child. It is time to embrace virtual reality in the classroom.

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