Young girls participating in the Technovation Challenge across schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been encouraged to take the lead in shaping Nigeria’s future through Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Mrs Stella Uzochukwu, Regional Ambassador of the Odyssey Educational Foundation, made the call during the Technovation Challenge, in Abuja on Thursday.
She lauded the creativity and achievements of girls who were developing tech-based solutions to real-world problems.
According to Uzochukwu, Technovation has trained more than 400,000 girls globally since its launch in 2010, teaching them to code, build mobile applications, and design AI-driven solutions to tackle challenges in their communities.
She stressed the importance of local ownership of STEM initiatives, particularly those targeting young girls.
“We can’t always depend on foreign support. If we build this ourselves, it will be truly ours and better,” she said, calling on stakeholders to show national pride and initiative in empowering the next generation.
Uzochukwu also highlighted the impact of recent cuts in U.S. funding due to changes in global NGO policies, which led to the shutdown of Diversity and Inclusion departments in tech companies and government agencies abroad.
As a result, she said, winning teams from Nigeria were unable to travel for this year’s finals.
“It’s sad, but it’s also a wake-up call. Only when we do it ourselves is it truly sustainable,” she added.
Also speaking at the event, Mr Agaba Dunia, Deputy Director of Science, Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reducing the gender gap in STEM.
He said this would be achieved through partnerships with non-governmental organisations to implement programmes that supported and empowered girls in science and technology fields.
“We strive to create programmes that build confidence and boost academic performance in girls.
“We also partner with organisations to provide scholarships, educational materials, and motivation,” he said. (NAN)
