STEM AFRICA FEST EXPANDS PROGRAMME FOR UNDERSERVED CHILDREN

Organisers of STEM Africa Fest have broadened their reach to provide free access to quality Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) education for children from underserved communities across Nigeria, as preparations intensify for the festival’s sixth edition.

Speaking at a recent media parley in Lagos, the organisers announced that at least 20 per cent of participants in the 2026 edition will attend free of charge, with full coverage for transportation and feeding through strategic partnerships with public schools, non-governmental organisations, and SOS villages.

The flagship Lagos edition is scheduled for July 18, 2026, at the Landmark Event Centre, under the theme “Building Future Innovators.” The programme will also roll out to other cities, including Ilorin, to deepen STEM penetration nationwide.

Co-founder Titi Adewusi, also Co-founder of 9ijakids, emphasised that inclusion remains at the heart of the initiative. “We believe access to quality education is a fundamental right for every child,” she said, highlighting a special focus on empowering girls in STEM.

Co-organiser Jadesola Adedeji described the festival as West Africa’s largest experiential STEAM event for children and young people. Activities will include interactive STEM laboratories, robotics showcases, coding challenges, AI workshops, drone technology sessions, and career talks.

Since its inception in 2021, STEM Africa Fest has impacted over 25,000 children, students, parents, and educators across Nigeria and several African countries. The expansion addresses the shortage of STEM professionals in Sub-Saharan Africa by making practical, hands-on learning accessible early.