Precious Obogo
More than 3,800 children, parents, teachers, and STEM enthusiasts gathered at Landmark Event Centre on July 18 as STEM Africa Fest 2026 transformed science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into one of the country’s largest practical learning events for children.
Held under the theme, “Building Future Innovators,” the sixth edition of Africa’s largest STEM festival for children featured 46 exhibitors, and welcomed participants from over 119 schools into a full day of discovery, experimentation, and creativity. Rather than simply observing, children built, tested, solved problems, and experienced how innovation comes to life through robotics, artificial intelligence, coding, engineering, science laboratories, drone technology, and entrepreneurship.
Speaking on the vision behind the festival, Co-founder of STEM Africa Fest, Mrs. Jadesola Adedeji, said:
“Children are naturally curious. We simply asked ourselves what learning would look like if they had the chance to explore, build, and discover things for themselves. We felt there had to be a better way to bring STEM to life beyond the classroom, and that’s the thinking that has shaped STEM Africa Fest from the very beginning.”
The festival highlights included STEM laboratories, coding bootcamps, drone demonstrations, engineering challenges, AI storytelling, science experiments, the Young Innovators Showcase, Adire innovation workshops, Chess in Slums Africa, Abacus Mental Mathematics, and a STEM Trivia session hosted in partnership with Maltina.
Also commenting on the festival, Co-founder of 9ijakids and organiser of STEM Africa Fest, Mrs. Titi Adewusi, said:
“Children are already learning these concepts in school. Our goal is to help them experience them. If they’re learning about robotics, we want them to build one. If they’re learning about artificial intelligence or 3D printing, we want them to see what those technologies look like outside the pages of a textbook. Those experiences stay with children long after they leave the festival.”
Since its launch in 2021, STEM Africa Fest has reached more than 20,000 children, parents, and educators across Nigeria and other African countries, helping redefine how young people experience STEM education across the continent.
This year’s edition was supported by 9ijakids, STEM-METS, Golden Penny, Argentil Capital Partners, Access Bank, FirstBank, LEBARA, Nigerian Breweries, VDL Technologies, Iwosan Health Systems, and other valued partners, reinforcing a shared commitment to expanding access to practical STEM education across Africa.