Omolabake Fasogbon

Foremost telecom service provider, IHS Nigeria Limited, has stepped up efforts to drive Nigeria’s digital adoption by equipping children with emerging technology skills via the STEM Africa Fest initiative. 

Over 500 youngsters, including educators, benefited from the two-day exercise that was held at Ilorin Innovation Hub, with IHS partnering with STEAM UP Kwara and the Kwara State Government to execute the exercise for maximum result. 

Themed, “AI for Good”, the training, which spans public and private institutions ignited curiosity among the beneficiaries, while furnishing them with future-ready skills ranging from artificial intelligence to robotics, drone Technology, coding, 3D printing, virtual reality, and science experiments, amongst others. 

The exercise fulfils the objective of STEM Africa festival, which sought to ignite passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEAM) disciplines in African youth and foster a brighter future through hands-on learning and real-world problem-solving.

Speaking, Special Adviser to the Minister of Education on STEMM and Corporate Sector Engagement, Dr. Adetola Salau, stated that the initiative underscored how innovation and education unite to create opportunities. 

“It’s more than just an event, it’s a launchpad for transformation”, she declared. 

Also, the Director of Sustainability at IHS Nigeria, Titilope Oguntuga reiterated the company’s continued readiness to support innovation and development of Nigeria’s digital economy. 

“From using AI to assist the visually impaired, to improving healthcare and education, our children must be active contributors to the development of technology, not just consumers in this evolving digital economy,” she said. 

The Director of Human Resources at IHS Nigeria, Ejemen Okojie, remarked further on the initiative as one that the company promotes toward growth across strata, in alignment with its core values. 

Commenting, a co-organisers of STEM Africa Fest and founder of STEM METS, Jadesola Adedeji stated, “We believe the future of Africa is rooted in what we do with our children today. This festival is about equipping them with the tools and mindset to thrive in a world shaped by technology.”

The two-day event featured a mini AI boot camp and STEM Teacher Training, focusing on transdisciplinary teaching, hands-on activities, and practical feedback. Additionally are interactive booths, workshops, and panel sessions, amongst others. 

In addition to the skills imparted, IHS also donated free routers with one-year data subscriptions to all participating public schools, ensuring access to online learning long after the event. 

Outstanding participants were also rewarded, including Akande Destiny who bagged a N100,000 prize for emerging winner of the 9ijakids AI contest, and Olabode Ireoluwa who won a brand-new tablet in a raffle draw. 

 Also applauding the initiatives were the educators, including Abubakar Wahab of Sango Secondary School who said, “We’re especially grateful to IHS Nigeria for the routers. They’ve not only brought the internet to our school but opened the door to a world of knowledge.”

The post IHS Empowers over 500 Ilorin Teens with  Tech Skills appeared first on THISDAYLIVE.

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