Mariam Alamu empowers 150 girls in STEM education, ICT skills

No fewer than 150 girls from low-income communities in Kwara, Ogun, and Plateau States have been empowered in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and tech skills by Mariam Alamu, a curriculum specialist concentrating on educational technology.

The empowerment workshops, conducted weekly in the three states, exposed the participating girls to practical technical skills, while building their confidence and self-belief, showing them that they too can become leaders in STEM.

Each state had 50 participants engaged in unique and transformative training activities tailored to their specific needs and challenges.

In Kwara State, Alamu and her team of facilitators guided the participants through sessions on digital problem-solving and app development. Within just a few days of training, a group of girls successfully designed an app to connect small-scale farmers to local markets.

The app bridged a critical gap for farmers and also showcased the girls’ ability to apply their newly acquired skills to real-world challenges.

In Ogun State, the workshops centered around using STEM to solve everyday problems. After days of intensive training, the participants developed a prototype for a solar-powered reading lamp, addressing the issue of inconsistent electricity supply in their communities.

At the training, the girls learned the basics of renewable energy and applied this knowledge to create a practical solution that could be scaled to benefit more households.

This initiative not only sparked interest in engineering but also provided hands-on experience in sustainable technology development.

In Bokkos, Plateau State, the workshop featured interactive STEM modules designed to encourage innovative thinking. The participating girls were tasked with designing water filtration systems to address clean water challenges in their communities.

Additionally, a coding boot camp tailored specifically for teenage girls was conducted, introducing them to programming languages and enabling them to develop basic software applications. These activities combined practical problem-solving with foundational coding skills, inspiring the participants to explore careers in technology.

Speaking to journalists after the workshops, Mariam Alamu emphasized the importance of addressing the significant barriers faced by girls in underserved areas.

She highlighted the need to bring technology and education to the forefront of many communities. “Digital inclusion for girls and women in Nigeria is crucial in this age. My vision is a world where young girls can fully participate in the digital economy regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds, gender stereotypes, and barriers,” Alamu said.

She also revealed that the empowerment programs in the three states addressed critical issues such as the digital divide. Many rural communities that lacked access to technology were provided with laptops and digital tools in partnership with local schools and community leaders.

The curriculum specialist aims to reform the current curriculum in Nigeria to guarantee that everyone has access to quality STEM education to improve learning.

“We have to realize that integrating STEM into the curriculum could address Nigeria’s educational and economic challenges,” she added.

A participant in Ogun State, Wunmi Ojo, who had just finished secondary school, thanked the organizer of the workshop, noting that the training exposed her to the latest knowledge in ICT and STEM education, which she did not learn in school.

“It is an eye-opener for me and my friends here. Many of us don’t have the money to attend computer school. I just finished junior secondary school, and we have learned a lot. When school resumes, I will have more interest in science now,” Ojo said.

Similarly, Rukayat Muhammad, a participant in Kwara who had recently completed her secondary education, applauded the organizer, saying that the workshop reinforced her willingness to study engineering in the university.

“I have learned today that ICT is more than social media. It has opened my eyes to what we can do with the right ICT knowledge. You can see our group built an app to connect local farmers, it is so revealing to me,” Muhammad said.

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