Education
Why KFSD is Investing in Nigeria’s Future Innovators – Akinremi
Joel Ajayi
Over 90 secondary school students have benefitted from the 2025 STEM Construction Summer Camp (SCSC), an initiative of the Kaiser Foundation for Social Development (KFSD) in partnership with GIZ, designed to inspire young Nigerians to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Speaking during the Abuja leg of the third phase of the programme, Omotara Akinremi, programme consultant for KFSD and CSR lead at Construction Kaiser Limited and Hermann E. Kaiser Limited, explained that the camp was created to revive interest in STEM while equipping students with both technical and soft skills.
“For four days, we have exposed students to the value of STEM through hands-on activities, career talks, and site visits. Many young people are no longer pursuing STEM-related careers, so we introduced this initiative to bridge the gap. Beyond STEM, we also focused on integrity, communication, and teamwork, while industry experts shared practical knowledge on masonry, carpentry, and civil engineering,” Akinremi said.
Participants also visited a construction site in Asokoro, Abuja, where they gained first-hand experience of how projects are executed. According to Akinremi, the camp has achieved its objectives, as students left with new knowledge, confidence, and motivation to pursue STEM.
This year’s programme, held in Jos and Abuja, trained a total of 95 students — 30 each in the first two phases and 35 in Abuja. To ensure continuity, KFSD and GIZ plan to establish STEM clubs in schools, with private sector mentors supporting students through consistent engagement.
Akinremi further noted that KFSD tracks past participants through their university years and even provides scholarships for outstanding students. She highlighted the case of an alumna, now a lawyer, who recently shared on LinkedIn how the camp shaped her career journey.
Fifteen-year-old Etefia Esther Godwin from Government Science and Technical College, Garki, described the camp as “exciting and inspiring.”
She said: “The programme taught me how to pursue my dreams and not be afraid of challenges. We also learned practical skills, made new friends, and visited real construction sites. I want to thank KFSD and GIZ for organising this programme because it has truly inspired us.”
Now in its third phase, the SCSC continues to prove how industry, development partners, and schools can work together to nurture Nigeria’s next generation of innovators, builders, and problem-solvers.
Education
Inclusive Education Boost as Deaf-Tech, Federal University of Lafia Roll Out Master’s in Disability Studies
Joel Ajayi
In a major step toward advancing inclusive education in Nigeria, Deaf-in-Tech, an initiative of Data-Lead Africa, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal University of Lafia (FULAFIA) to establish a Professional Master’s Degree in Disability Studies.
The signing ceremony, held at Deaf-in-Tech’s headquarters in Abuja, featured a goodwill message from Prof. Adaka Terfa Ahon, Director of the Centre for Disability Studies, who represented FULAFIA’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Shehu Abdul Rahman. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to championing disability and inclusion in its academic innovation and planning.
The new Master’s programme will adopt a hybrid learning model, with online classes complemented by in-person sessions at Deaf-in-Tech’s training facility in Abuja. It is designed to build expertise in disability-inclusive governance, education, and development across sectors.
Executive Director of Deaf-in-Tech and Co-Founder of Data-Lead Africa, Dr. Arowolo Ayoola, described the collaboration as a “structural shift” in how institutions and professionals engage with disability issues. “The inclusion journey must begin with knowledge, and we are proud to partner with a progressive university like FULAFIA,” he said.
Beyond the postgraduate programme, the partnership will also establish a Deaf-in-Tech Club on FULAFIA’s campus — the first of its kind — to empower Deaf students with technology skills, mentorship, and innovation opportunities. Additional initiatives include a ₦1 million academic excellence reward for any Deaf student who graduates with a First Class, as well as the development of a disability-accessible website and digital database for the Centre for Disability Studies, built to WCAG 2.1 global accessibility standards.
The alliance underscores both institutions’ commitment to building inclusive systems and celebrating excellence, while positioning Deaf-in-Tech as a catalyst for bridging the gap between disability and the digital economy.
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