By Juliet Umeh

A post-event report by Women in Technology in Nigeria, WITIN, has revealed that schools nationwide have started establishing robotics clubs, coding classes, sustainability projects and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, STEM innovation hubs to give Nigeria’s education system a facelift. 

The group however said this new development is a direct fallout of the  WITIN Girls’ National Summit and STEM Exhibition held in Abuja recently.

The summit, which gathered girls, educators, policymakers and technology leaders, featured projects developed under the theme “Innovate for Impact: STEM Solutions for a Sustainable Future.” Participants were required to choose a United Nations Sustainable Development Goal and design STEM solutions addressing real issues in their communities.

The competition received 265 entries at the state level, followed by regional exhibitions in Sokoto, Borno, Kano, Anambra, Oyo, Delta and Ogunh States. Twenty-five teams advanced to the national finals in Abuja.

Executive Director of WITIN, Martha Omoekpen-Alade, said the programme has triggered renewed interest in STEM among girls. She said: “This is more than an event. It is a transformation. Girls from rural and urban schools are returning with renewed confidence. We are seeing classrooms transformed into mini innovation hubs.”

Alade explained: “At the national finals, Trinity Secondary School, Onitsha, emerged overall winner with a waste-management solution named SACHA.

“Federal Government College, Maiduguri, came first runner-up with a Sustainable Smart City design, while Governor’s Girls College, Kano, was second runner-up with a solar-powered truck prototype.

“The summit attracted participation from key government and industry figures, including the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani; ITU Secretary-General, Ms. Doreen Bogdan-Martin; and heads of NITDA, NIGCOMSAT, USPF and the Internet Society Nigeria Chapter. Eleven Nigerian universities also provided mentorship and technical guidance.”

WITIN reports that several of the showcased prototypes are already attracting interest from investors and organisations exploring opportunities to deploy the solutions.