Stem-A-School Equips 2,000 Students with Tech Skills across Osun Varsities
Stem-A-School, an edutech initiative focused on democratising access to science and technology, has concluded a multi-campus STEM tour across five universities in Osun State, reaching over 2,000 students with essential tech skills for today’s digital era.
The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) conference tour spanned Obafemi Awolowo University, Oduduwa University, Osun State University, Bowen University, and Redeemer’s University. Students engaged with experts in robotics, aerospace, and artificial intelligence, gaining exposure to the tools and trends shaping the 4th Industrial Revolution.
Founder of Stem-A-School, Victoria Oladosu, said: “The goal has always been to expand to more schools, and once we got that opportunity, we took it. Taking STEM to more universities is crucial if we are going to help create more innovators, and so that we won’t be left behind in today’s global AI race. STEM is the difference between where we are and where we want to be.”
According to the World Bank, STEM skills are crucial for countries navigating the challenges of automation, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation. Yet across Africa, fewer than 25 per cent of higher education students are enrolled in STEM fields.
Oladosu believes part of the gap lies in early exposure and engagement, a stance echoed by the World Bank, which noted that enhancing awareness and access is critical to closing the STEM gap.
The Osun tour featured contributions from policymakers, academics, and industry leaders, including the Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Osun State, Ayofe Olatunji; Coordinator, Lagos State Science Research and Innovation Council Secretariat, Lateef Alani; Dean of Engineering, Redeemers University, Olanrewaju Adesina; and Computer Engineering lecturer, Redeemers University, Janet Jooda.
“We live in an era of unprecedented technological transformation. AI, Robotics, Blockchain, and renewable energies are reshaping economies. But as we embrace this 4th industrial revolution, we must ask where Nigeria was in the past industrial revolutions and how we can ensure that we don’t miss out this time around,” Alani said.
Jooda said: “We have the population, but we need to harness it well. We can’t do this without STEM.”
Stem-A-School is preparing to launch its first STEM lab, starting with a university pilot. The lab will provide hands-on learning in fields like robotics and programming, moving the initiative beyond one-off events.
