Nigerian Woman leads charge to close STEM gaps with Global Tech initiative

Ugo Aliogo

A Nigerian social innovator and youth development advocate, Grace Ihejiamaizu, is leading the charge to close the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) gap with her global initiative tagged Technovation Girls.

The initiative had 20 teams of girls between the ages of eight and 18 from undeserved communities in Cross River and Akwa-Ibom States appearing before panels of judges to pitch mobile app solutions built by them to address environmental challenges, access to healthcare, and education in the 12-week global technology and entrepreneurship programme.

Ms Grace, who is the South-South Nigeria chapter Ambassador, has been a driving force in breaking the gender barriers in the tech ecosystem and equipping girls with 21st-century skills.

When girls are given the tools and mentorship to innovate, they not only build apps, they build confidence, purpose, and a future where they lead’’ Grace stated.

Technovation, a global programme present in over 100 countries, invites girls to learn coding, mobile app development, and business planning, culminating in regional and global pitch events.

According to findings, for many of the participants in Uyo, it was their first time presenting ideas publicly — a significant step for girls often underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

The event was more than just a competition; it was a movement of empowerment. With the help of mentors, teachers, and community partners, the girls developed tech solutions addressing climate change, mental health, digital literacy, and gender inequality. Among the standout teams were those who included sign language in their apps to promote accessibility and inclusion.

For Grace Ihejiamaizu, who has spent the last decade working at the intersection of education, entrepreneurship, and youth empowerment, Technovation is more than a program — it’s a platform for reimagining leadership.

She said, “I believe Africa’s next generation of changemakers will come from the margins — from communities where girls are rarely told they can lead in tech. That’s who I show up for.”

Interestingly, Grace’s impact in the region is evident. Since she took on the role of Chapter Ambassador in 2019, participation in the South-South Nigeria Technovation program has grown significantly, drawing attention from educators, tech advocates, and development organizations alike.

Her work with Opportunity Desk and the iKapture Centre for Development has helped thousands of young people access global opportunities and digital skills training.

Grace is no stranger to global recognition. In 2015, she mentored Team Charis, the first Nigerian and African team to win the Technovation Global Pitch in San Francisco. Their inspiring journey was even featured in a documentary that premiered by Google on YouTube, spotlighting their innovation and the growing movement of girls in tech across Africa.

With this year’s RPE concluded, three of the top-performing teams will now proceed to the semi-finalist stage, with a shot at pitching at the Technovation World Summit.

As the world continues to address gender disparities in STEM, voices like Grace Ihejiamaizu’s—and the work being done in cities like Uyo and Calabar—are proving that meaningful change often starts with a small team of determined girls and a woman who believes in their power.