IHS Nigeria, in partnership with the Kwara State Government and STEAM UP Kwara under the leadership of the Special Adviser on Education, Policy Formulation, and Human Capital Development to the Executive Governor of Kwara State Dr. Adetola Ariyike Salau, is bringing STEM Africa Fest, Africa’s premier Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) festival for children, to Ilorin for the first time. The highly anticipated event will take place at the Ilorin Innovation Hub, located in the Kwara state capital, on Saturday July 26th, 2025.
Said to be the biggest innovation hub of its kind in West Africa, the Ilorin Innovation Hub developed by IHS Nigeria in partnership with the Kwara State Government aims to be Nigeria’s leading destination for talent and technology development that will serve as a launchpad for young innovators across the country.
Now in its 5th year, STEM Africa Fest co-created by Titi Adewusi of 9ijakids and Jadesola Adedeji of STEMMETS has become one of the leading platforms for sparking curiosity and innovation in young minds across the continent. Since its inception in 2021, the festival has impacted over 20,000 children, educators, and families in Lagos, Abuja, Ghana, Rwanda, Kenya, Gambia, Zambia, and Sierra Leone — empowering them with practical knowledge in robotics, coding, AI, drone technology, science, and more.
two passionate educators committed to advancing STEM education for African children.
This year’s theme, “AI for Good,” is designed to ignite the imagination of children aged between 7 to 16, helping them discover how artificial intelligence and technology can be used to solve real-world problems and create a better future. The Ilorin edition will offer hands-on STEM activities, fun games, panel sessions from industry experts, and interactive showcases designed to make learning fun, impactful, and future-forward.
Speaking about the collaboration, the Senior Vice President and Chief Corporate Services Officer, IHS Nigeria, Dapo Otunla said “IHS Nigeria is proud to be a part of this STEM festival. As an organization we believe that education is a key pillar for driving the economic growth and development of any society. This is even more so when it involves digital technology which is reshaping the world and creating new opportunities. We are living in a revolutionary age with artificial intelligence (AI) and the children expected at the festival represent the future. This is the best time to pique their interests in AI and in technology as a whole”.
Why STEM Africa Fest Matters:
As the world rapidly evolves, there is a growing need to equip Africa’s youth with the digital and innovation skills necessary to thrive in the 21st-century workforce. STEM Africa Fest offers a unique opportunity for students, particularly those from underserved communities, to access world-class learning and envision themselves as tomorrow’s problem-solvers and innovators.
