STEM Africa Fest returns with bigger footprint across Nigeria

STEM Africa Fest is back for its sixth edition. This year, organisers are taking the programme beyond Lagos to reach more young Nigerians interested in science and technology. The flagship event will take place on 18 July at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos. Ilorin joins the programme for the first time, extending the festival’s reach beyond its traditional base.The 2026 edition will run under the theme ” Buiding Future Innovators”. It will give children practical opportunities to explore STEM instead of learning through classroom theory alone.

Learning beyond the classroom

Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, co organiser Jadesola Adedeji said the festival was created after organisers noticed a gap in STEM education. She said many children learn science and technology in school but have few chances to apply those lessons. “We wanted to create a space where children could build things, solve problems and see how STEM fits into everyday life,” she said.This year’s programme includes robotics demonstrations, coding challenges, engineering workshops and science experiments. Participants will also explore drone technology, game development and introductory artificial intelligence. Students will attend career talks during the festival. Parents, teachers and school leaders will also take part in sessions on introducing more practical STEM learning in schools. UNESCO has repeatedly highlighted the need for stronger STEM education across Sub-Saharan Africa. Many countries still face a shortage of skilled workers in science and technology.

Making the festival more accessible

Co-founder Titi Adewusi said accessibility remains a key focus for the organisers. She said about 20% of participants will attend free through support from partner organisations. Transport and meals will also be provided for children from selected public schools, NGOs and SOS Children’s Villages. Adewusi said the organisers also want more girls to consider careers in science, engineering and technology. Early exposure, she said, can help spark that interest.

Growing reach across Africa

Since launching in 2021, STEM Africa Fest says it has reached more than 25,000 children, parents, teachers and educators. Most participants have come from Nigeria. Others have travelled from Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia. Registration for this year’s festival is now open to schools, students, educators and families.