Osogbo, Osun State – June 10, 2025 – In a significant stride towards preparing Nigerian youth for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Stem-A-School, an edutech initiative dedicated to democratizing access to science and technology, announced today it has equipped over 2,000 students across five Osun State universities with crucial tech skills through a recently concluded month-long STEM tour.

Victoria Oladosu, the program’s founder, disclosed the achievement in a statement on Monday, describing the intervention as part of a broader effort to bridge the nation’s STEM gap. The May tour engaged students at Obafemi Awolowo University, Oduduwa University, Osun State University, Bowen University, and Redeemer’s University.

The initiative focused on hands-on learning in cutting-edge fields such as robotics, aerospace, and artificial intelligence. These sessions were led by a diverse group of experts, including industry professionals, academics, and policymakers.

“The goal has always been to expand to more schools, and once we got that opportunity, we took it,” said Oladosu. “Taking STEM to more universities is crucial if we are going to help create more innovators and ensure we’re not left behind in today’s global AI race.”

The World Bank highlights the critical role of STEM education for nations navigating digital transformation and the rise of artificial intelligence. However, a concerning statistic reveals that fewer than 25 percent of higher education students across Africa are currently enrolled in STEM fields.

Since its launch in 2021, Stem-A-School has reached more than 3,000 students through a variety of workshops, conferences, and targeted training programs, underscoring its commitment to fostering a tech-savvy generation.

Commenting on the Osun STEM tour, Ayofe Olatunji, the state’s Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, lauded the program, stating it effectively complements the state’s ongoing efforts to close the STEM gap.

Lateef Alani, coordinator of the Lagos State Science Research and Innovation Council Secretariat, also spoke at the event, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. “We live in an era of unprecedented technological transformation,” Alani remarked. “AI, robotics, blockchain, and renewable energies are reshaping economies. Nigeria must not miss out again.”

Janet Jooda, a computer engineering lecturer at Redeemer’s University, pointed to Nigeria’s large youth population as a potential advantage, provided it is properly harnessed. “We have the numbers, but we need the skills. We can’t do this without STEM,” she stressed.

The Osun State Government has pledged to intensify its collaboration with schools and innovators, as well as equip tech hubs and organize hackathons to boost student participation in STEM.

Oladosu reiterated that while awareness is crucial, consistent access to tools and hands-on learning is the ultimate driver of meaningful change. “We cannot stop at awareness,” she said. “To make a real impact, we need to give students consistent access to STEM learning tools.”

As part of its next phase, Stem-A-School is set to launch its first dedicated STEM lab, beginning with a pilot program in one university. This lab will offer students specialized training in programming, robotics, and other emerging tech disciplines.

“There is a lot of work ahead,” Oladosu acknowledged. “But I believe we are making progress, one school and one student at a time.”