The Federal Government has been urged to increase investment in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and digital skills for Nigerian youth to address the country’s challenges of unemployment and poverty.
Speaking during the opening of the 2024 Kwara STEM Funfest, themed “Innovate Green: STEM Paths to a Sustainable World,” in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, the Executive Director of Webfala Digital Skills for All Initiative (WDSFAI), Nafisat Bakare, emphasized that equipping young people with essential skills in STEM education would shape Nigeria’s future workforce and entrepreneurial landscape.
The event, organized and hosted by WDSFAI, attracted over 1,200 participants, including students, teachers, parents, and industry experts from across the state.
Bakare highlighted that the STEM Funfest, an annual event, aims to ignite young people’s passion for STEM, nurture their dreams, discover talents, and spark creativity.
She also stated that the theme of this year’s edition reflects her organization’s commitment to fostering not only technological advancement but also sustainability and environmental consciousness.
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“As we face global challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, and environmental degradation, the role of STEM in creating innovative, sustainable solutions has never been more important. Through this event, we hope to inspire young minds to see how STEM can be a powerful tool for creating a better, more sustainable future,” she said.
In his keynote address, the Vice-Chancellor of Summit University, Offa, Professor Abiodun Aibinu, emphasized the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in fostering sustainability.
Represented by Dr. Abdulwaheed Musa, a lecturer at Kwara State University (KWASU), Professor Aibinu discussed AI’s applications across sectors such as agriculture, energy management, environmental conservation, and healthcare. He urged the government and policymakers to leverage the potential of AI to drive sustainable development in Nigeria.
The 2024 Kwara STEM Funfest featured a variety of activities, including hands-on workshops, panel sessions, exhibitions, and a debate competition among secondary school students. The highlight of the event was the presentation of prizes to the debate winners.
Eshiet Esther Samuel of Mollys School, Ilorin, emerged as the winner of the debate competition, receiving a cash prize of N150,000. Ojukurolola Ooreofe of Eucharistic Heart of Jesus Model College, Ilorin, and Ahmed Nana-Aisha of Flora Schools, Ilorin, finished as the first and second runners-up, receiving N100,000 and N50,000, respectively. All three winners also received laptops, courtesy of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
