The United States government has concluded a STEM mentorship programme for 30 secondary school girls in Ibadan, Oyo state.

The mentorship programme, christened EduChamps, was initiated by alumni of the 2021 U.S.-sponsored TechWomen program. 

As a way of giving back to the society, the alumni, with the support of the U.S government, embarked on the mentorship programme for 30 high school girls in African Church Grammar School, Ibadan.  

Jennifer Foltz, U.S. Consulate Deputy Public Affairs Officer at the programme explained that EduChamps would furnish young girls with “mentors from a range of fields who can help them gain skills and boost their confidence to consider higher education and careers in STEM”. 

Noting that STEM education is paramount to any country’s economic success, Ms Foltz said “We are excited to support this initiative that serves as an inspiration for young girls to consider STEM subjects in their future careers in order to solve global challenges.”  

In the same vein, Damilola Asaleye, a TechWomen Fellow stressed that EduChamps would bridge the wide gender parity in the technology sector.

“With EduChamps, we are taking action to improve inclusiveness and narrow the gender gap in the STEM field,” she said.

At the programme, the girls were counselled on the various career opportunities in the tech sector, some of which include upcycling, automotive engineering, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and space science.

The U.S through the initiative reiterated its commitment to “advance gender equality across sub-Saharan Africa, through activities that promote opportunities for women, access to health and education services, and efforts to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.”

The American government has invested millions of dollars in the TechWomen programme launched in 2011 as a platform for empowering women leaders in the technology field.

The programme brings together women in Northern California with their counterparts in the Middle East, Central Asia, North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, for a professional mentorship at leading technology companies in the U.S.