kakalistiq.com reports that about sixtsty students of Government College Lagos (GCL), Surulere, took center stage as they showcased cutting-edge projects during the school’s STEM Demo and Graduation Day. These students, drawn from the Senior Secondary School section, had just completed a nine-week intensive training in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
The hands-on training, held at the newly equipped STEM Lab within the school premises, was facilitated by STEM Café, a tech-driven initiative of Nigeria’s premier innovation hub, Co-Creation Hub (Cc-HUB), in partnership with the SAIL Empowerment Foundation: a nonprofit founded by Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru.
The event, which held in grand style, welcomed dignitaries such as Senator Abiru, an alumnus of the school, Chief Impact Officer of SAIL Foundation, Mr. Deji Abisola, Tutor General/Permanent Secretary for Education District IV, Dr. Saheed Oladapo Ibikunle, Global President of Government College Lagos Old Boys Association (GCLOBA), Mr. Jibola Bakare, alongside school leaders, parents, and government officials.
Delivering a powerful keynote address titled “Empowering the Next Generation Through STEM Innovation,” Senator Abiru captured the spirit of the day:
“This Demo Day is not just ceremonial; it is a bold statement of what becomes achievable when we nurture curiosity and provide the tools to solve real-world problems,” he said.
“Our children are not just learning; they are building, experimenting, and stepping confidently into the future,” he added.
The STEM Lab, built within a historic block of the school, is one of the several innovation centers powered by SAIL Foundation. Others include the SAIL Innovation Lab in Ikorodu and the Innovation and Sports Centre in Orimedu, Ibeju-Lekki. These facilities aim to prepare Nigerian youths with the digital and scientific skills needed to thrive in the 21st-century tech-driven world.
Highlighting the vision behind the initiative, Abiru emphasized how STEM education falls under one of the three core pillars of his public service agenda: Endowment, Legislative Duty, and Facilitation & Empowerment.
“We are building platforms that give our children access to knowledge, mentorship, and modern learning spaces. The future belongs to those equipped with scientific literacy and digital competence,” he said.
According to Mr. Deji Abisola, the impact of the programme goes beyond the students at GCL. He noted that the initiative is also ongoing at the SAIL Innovation Lab in Ikorodu, where students from ten public secondary schools engage in termly learning cycles under the SAILors Programme.
“When the new school calendar resumes after the long break, the next cohorts at GCL and across all ten (10) schools will commence,” he explained.
Mrs. Ngozi Eneje, Vice Principal of GCL, expressed gratitude on behalf of the school community. She praised the forward-thinking collaboration that birthed the project and lauded the unwavering commitment of Senator Abiru and the SAIL Foundation to student advancement.
Mr. Jibola Bakare, President of GCLOBA, also extended heartfelt appreciation to Senator Abiru, commending his instrumental role in revitalizing the school and empowering the next generation.
The celebration concluded with a guided tour of the state-of-the-art STEM lab. Guests were taken through student-built models and digital projects, each reflecting months of problem-solving, design thinking, and teamwork.
Distinguished old boys and guests at the event included legal luminary Prof. Bankole Sodipo, SAN, retired naval officer Rear Admiral Leye Jaiyeola, Mr. AA Akinajo, Mr. Akin Ogunmowo, and Mr. Timothy Aluko, Chief Operating Officer at CcHub.
With projects ranging from eco-friendly prototypes to digital tools for everyday challenges, the Demo Day not only spotlighted the bright future ahead for Nigeria’s youth: it also marked a successful milestone in bridging education with innovation.
