At the 10th Anniversary Ceremony of STEM METS held in Lagos, experts called for a stronger emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
CEO of STEM METS, Jadesola Adedeji, said that through engaging in STEM-based activities and programs, the organization has empowered thousands of young Africans, equipping them with the essential skills needed to thrive in the global economy.
Adedeji stated, “A decade ago, we began with a dream to make education more exciting, more hands-on, and most importantly, more transformative. We envisioned a world where learning went beyond textbooks cramming and regurgitating, to a world where every child can experiment, build, create, and imagine. In these ten years, this dream has become a movement where we have reached over 30,000 students, educating them with skills in robotics, coding, engineering, and more. Our programs have inspired young children to dream big, enabling students to innovate solutions for real-world challenges, and equipping educators with the tools to nurture the next generation of problem solvers.”
“Despite the systemic challenges facing Africa’s STEM education landscape, including limited resources and access to innovative teaching tools, STEM METS’ approach offers sustainable solutions, training 580 educators, the organisation had solidified its role as a catalyst for STEM educational reform.
The keynote speaker at the ceremony, Executive Director, MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya, emphasised the transformative power of STEM education, saying “Over the past decade, STEM METS has been a beacon of hope and opportunity through its various programs. The world around us is changing at an unprecedented pace with artificial intelligence, renewable energy, biotechnology, space exploration, and climate change solutions redefining lives, industries, communities, and the world generally. Our world has never presented us with as many possibilities as we see today. As we celebrate this milestone, let us reaffirm our commitment to a shared vision. A Nigeria where every child has access to quality STEM or STEAM education, where every young mind can innovate, and where every dream has the opportunity to become reality.”
The anniversary celebration honoured outstanding students recognised as future STEM leaders. These young innovators were awarded for their creativity, innovation, and exceptional achievements. This recognition not only celebrated their hard work but also reinforced STEM METS’ commitment to nurturing the next generation of problem-solvers and innovators.
The event also featured a captivating panel discussion on “Reimagining Education: Innovation, Challenges, and the Future.” Esteemed experts, including Molade Adeniyi, CEO of Teach for Nigeria; Titi Adewusi, Co-Founder of 9ija Kids; [TBC]; and moderated by Yemisi Ogunlade, Principal Consultant at Plumptre Advisory, shared insights on the future of education.