STEM Africa Fest Empowers 3,000 Children in Lagos
The 2025 edition of the STEM Africa Fest, widely recognised as Africa’s largest STEAM-focused educational festival for children, recently concluded in Lagos, Nigeria, with remarkable participation and impact. Held on July 19, 2025, at the Landmark Event Centre, the festival brought together over 3,000 young learners from across the region for a full day of STEM-centric activities designed to cultivate curiosity, develop practical skills and ignite enthusiasm for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM).
Themed “AI for Good,” this year’s festival emphasised the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool for solving real-world challenges and enhancing creative problem-solving. Organisers sought to demystify cutting-edge technologies for children and demonstrate how emerging fields like AI, robotics and coding are not restricted to professional spaces but are accessible, fun, and deeply relevant to the next generation of innovators.
A key attraction of the event was its hands-on STEAM labs and interactive workshops. Participants rotated through themed zones that exposed them to fundamental and advanced topics such as AI and Machine Learning, Coding, Robotics, Drone Technology, Virtual Reality (VR), Engineering, Science Experiments, and STEAM-based crafts. These immersive sessions encouraged children to learn by doing, rather than merely observing, enabling them to build projects, solve challenges collaboratively, and understand how technology integrates with everyday life.
One standout highlight was a live AI demonstration led by Malik Afegbua, a globally recognised Creative AI Technologist and creator of The Elder Series, who showcased how AI can be harnessed creatively from animation to storytelling. This particular segment captivated many attendees, illustrating how technology can be both innovative and accessible.
Beyond structured learning activities, the festival incorporated engaging features like career talks, mentorship corners, and an exciting raffle draw. During the raffle, several children won tech devices, including tablets and smartwatches, reinforcing the event’s focus on digital inclusion and motivation.
The success of the 2025 STEM Africa Fest was bolstered by a strong collaborative effort. It was organised by 9ijakids and STEM-METS in partnership with a range of sponsors and supporters, including Argentil Capital Partners, Access Bank, First E & P, Oando, First Bank, Flour Mills, and Dorman Long Engineering, among others. These partnerships underscore a shared commitment to nurturing talent and expanding STEAM opportunities across Africa.
Since its inception in 2021, the festival has touched the lives of over 20,000 children, educators, parents and students across several countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia, Rwanda, Gambia, Kenya and Sierra Leone, making it an influential force in shaping future-ready skills and widening access to quality STEAM education across the continent.
