On 19 July 2025, the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos buzzed with the infectious energy of over 3,000 young people eager to explore, experiment, and engage at the fifth edition of STEM Africa Fest. Branded with the inspiring theme “AI for Good”, this year’s gathering stood out not just as a festival, but as a powerful movement—one illuminating the possibilities that pop up when creativity meets science, when curiosity sparks innovation.
Since its beginnings in 2021, STEM Africa Fest has steadily grown into Africa’s largest STEAM-for-children festival, impacting more than 20,000 participants across Nigeria and beyond, including Abuja, Ghana, Zambia, Rwanda, Gambia, Kenya, and Sierra Leone. In Lagos this year, the focus was on equipping young minds with hands-on experience in artificial intelligence, coding, robotics, drone technology, virtual reality, and other STEAM disciplines—geared not only at skills acquisition but at nurturing tomorrow’s leaders.
Table of Contents
A Festival of Discovery: Where Learning Meets Play
The “AI for Good” theme wasn’t an abstract concept—it came alive in the workshops and labs throughout the event. Children engaged in:
- AI and Machine Learning sessions, discovering how algorithms learn and make decisions.
- Coding and robotics, as they built simple programs and mechanical creations.
- Virtual Reality experiences, transporting them to digital worlds.
- Science experiments and crafts, where curiosity had tangible form.
- Drone-flying challenges and engineering tasks, turning imagination into movement.
More than ticking boxes, the event was about immersive discovery—sparking that “aha!” moment when a theoretical idea becomes something real and playful.
One of the standout moments was a live AI demonstration by Malik Afegbua, a globally recognised Creative AI Technologist and creator of The Elder Series. His demonstration showed how artificial intelligence can be harnessed for creative storytelling, combining imagination with technology in a way that left many in the audience wide-eyed with wonder.
Beyond structured sessions, the atmosphere was festive and joyous. A raffle draw raised the thrill factor—with prizes like tablets and smartwatches going to lucky winners Olayinka Samuel Favour and Fisaju Joel Champion—reminding attendees that joyful learning is powerful learning.
Voices Behind the Vision: Leadership, Passion & Partnership
At the heart of STEM Africa Fest’s success are its founders and organisers, whose words echoed the festival’s deeper purpose.
Mrs. Jadesola Adedeji, co-founder of STEM Africa Fest (and co-organiser), reflected on the transformative spark she sees anew each year:
“Each year, STEM Africa Fest reminds us of what is possible when children are given the space to explore, question, and build. This isn’t just about STEM—it’s about unlocking potential and preparing a generation of young Africans to lead boldly in a tech-driven world.”
Adding to that sentiment, Titi Adewusi, co-founder of 9ijakids and fellow co-organiser, emphasised the festival’s role in town-hall of innovation:
“STEM Africa Fest is more than a one-day event—it’s a gateway to preparing Africa’s next generation of problem-solvers, innovators, and critical thinkers. The skills gap is a shared challenge—and we believe partnerships such as STEM Africa Fest are the way forward to address it.”
Indeed, cross-sector partnerships have played a key role in bringing the vision to life. This year’s festival was powered by collaborative support from 9ijakids and STEM-METS, with backing from sponsors including Argentil Capital Partners, Access Bank, First E & P, Oando, First Bank, Flour Mills, and Dorman Long Engineering.
Beyond One Day: Legacy, Growth & Impact Across Africa
The impact of STEM Africa Fest extends far beyond the one-day event. Since launching in 2021, the festival has:
- Touched lives of 20,000+ children, students, parents, and educators
- Spanned multiple cities and countries across West, East, and Southern Africa.
Each destination adds new stories—of young dreamers programming robots, of parents marvelling at newfound confidence in their children, of communities awakening to the power of STEAM education.
In our rapidly tech-driven world, Africa’s youth hold immense potential. STEM Africa Fest is more than a programme—it’s a catalyst. It’s where curiosity is nurtured, where futures begin to take shape, where the seeds of innovation are planted in fertile minds.
Conclusion
STEM Africa Fest Lagos 2025, under the banner of AI for Good, was a vibrant blend of fun, learning, and inspiration. Over 3,000 children immersed themselves in STEAM activities that made science tangible and thrilling—from coding and robotics to virtual reality and AI storytelling. Guided by visionary organisers like Mrs. Jadesola Adedeji and Titi Adewusi, and powered by strong partnerships, the festival continued its legacy of empowering African youth—not just for today, but for a future they will lead.
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