On 17 July 2025, a compelling alliance was forged in Abuja as leading figures from Nigeria’s energy and development sectors launched a visionary programme aimed at increasing girls’ participation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education. Titled the STEM Project, the initiative united key partners to open educational doors for girls aged 11–14 across federal government colleges, spanning all geopolitical zones of the country.
The event, held yesterday in the nation’s capital, was more than a ceremonial launch—it was a statement of intent. By empowering young girls with hands-on STEM education, this programme hopes to not only kindle curiosity and confidence but also challenge gender stereotypes and create a diverse pool of future innovators.
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A Coalition of Purpose
The initiative is the result of a strategic collaboration between Solar Sister Nigeria, an organisation known for its women-led clean energy distribution, and the ExxonMobil Foundation, bringing together grassroots innovation and global development expertise. Parents, educators, tech advocates, and policymakers gathered to witness and celebrate the start of a movement poised to challenge traditional cultural narratives and invest in girls’ potential.
Objectives with Impact
With explicit goals to:
- Spark early interest in STEM by providing hands‑on opportunities with real-world tools and resources.
- Build confidence and resilience, particularly among girls who may lack exposure or role models in scientific and technological fields.
- Create pathways to innovation, showing participants that a future as scientists, engineers, or technologists is within reach.
Programme architect Olasimbo Sojinrin, CEO of Solar Sister, emphasised the power of experiential learning: “It’s one thing to talk about science; it’s another for girls to see, touch, explore and imagine themselves as the next generation of inventors.”
Voices from the Vanguard
Ozemoya Okordion, ExxonMobil’s Media & Communications Manager, underscored the importance of sustained investment: “To cultivate national progress, we must invest in our girls. STEM education is a key avenue to inclusive growth and leadership.”
From the non-profit sector, Carolyn Seaman, founder of the Girls Voices Initiative and a TechWomen alumna, called the launch a timely intervention that can shift Nigeria’s gender gap in STEM.
Meanwhile, Jacqueline Malenga, COO of the Visiola Foundation, highlighted the global imbalance: women remain drastically underrepresented in science and engineering. She noted that Nigeria’s low female enrolment is part of a much larger challenge
Chioma Ome, Country Director at Solar Sister Nigeria, eloquently articulated the deeper mission: “We’re not simply sharing tools—we’re giving girls the belief that they can change the world.”
Why This Matters
Nigeria faces persistent structural challenges:
- Low female representation in STEM despite the national need for diverse talent.
- Socio-cultural barriers limiting girls’ ambitions in technical fields.
- Insufficient early exposure to engaging STEM education in rural or underserved areas.
Nigeria’s teenage pregnancy rate remains among the world’s highest, diverting many girls away from school and particularly from STEAM (STEM + Arts) subject. The STEM Project, by reaching girls across federal colleges in remote zones, aims to address these impediments directly—offering a practical and inclusive remedy.
What the Programme Will Deliver
Over the next six months, the STEM Project will equip more than 300 schoolgirls aged 11–14 with immersive, practical STEM learning. The roll-out includes:
- Toolkits featuring basic engineering kits, programmable devices, and interactive science experiments.
- Structured support sessions led by trained female mentors.
- Regular workshops to track progress, nurture problem-solving skills, and strengthen peer bonds.
The programme’s design taps into the power of collective learning—small group mentorship overseen by women achievers in STEM ensures a supportive and relatable environment.
Connecting with Broader Initiatives
This effort parallels several ongoing national and global STEM campaigns. In February 2025, Delta State’s Nnoli Akpedeye STEM Scholarship launched workshops and competitions for girls in Warri, signalling a growing momentum beyond educational hubs. In May, PanAfricare, funded by ExxonMobil, introduced the INSPIRE Project, which supports STEM toolkits in underserved schools across six states, ensuring at least 65% of beneficiaries are girls.
Furthermore, industry voices like the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) are advocating for policies and gender-responsive STEM frameworks. Their recent webinar, marking the International Day of Women in Engineering, underscored low female representation—just 15% of registered engineers are female in Nigeria.
Nigeria now stands at a pivotal point, where NGOs, private sector actors, and educational institutions align behind a unified vision of equity and empowerment.
Sustainability and Future Prospects
Beyond the launch, organisers have committed to:
- Scaling the programme to reach additional schools, leveraging learning to improve future iterations.
- Engaging policymakers to craft inclusive STEM education policies and ensure curriculum integration.
- Tracking outcomes, including student engagement levels, subject performance, and progress into advanced education.
By demonstrating tangible benefits—such as increased interest in STEM, higher confidence levels, and stronger academic results—the project seeks to form a template for nationwide adoption.
Lessons from Peer Initiatives
Earlier efforts like the INSPIRE Project provide key lessons: interactive toolkit deployment must coincide with teacher training and follow‑up support for maximum impact. APWEN’s recommendation for gender-responsive policies and mentorship structures also guides this strategy.
A Message to Girls Nationwide
Implicit in this launch is a transformative message: technology and science are not off-limits for female students. With investment from both private and development sectors, girls across Nigeria now have a seat at the STEM table. As Sojinrin said, “These are tools for tomorrow’s innovators.”
It’s a message of affirmation, opportunity, and long-term impact—one that Nigeria and the world must amplify.
The Road Ahead
This cross-sector initiative embodies a hopeful shift—from symbolic gestures to actionable change. If executed thoughtfully, with attention to mentorship, policy engagement, and measurement, the STEM Project may well light the spark for Nigeria’s next generation of women leaders in science and technology.
The immediate task is clear: spark curiosity, foster confidence, and sustain support. The broader goal is equally compelling: closing the gender gap in STEM and creating a future where the next Anne‑Marie Imafidon, Joana Maduka, or Ogutu Okudo discovers her passion in Nigeria’s classrooms—a future born in workshops like these.
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