The Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC), in proud partnership with IHS Nigeria, is gearing up to host the 2026 International Day of Women and Girls in Science celebration at Lagos City College, Sabo-Yaba, on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. This collaboration builds on a strong history of joint efforts to ignite interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) among young girls across Nigeria.
In 2025, W.TEC and IHS Nigeria delivered the International Day of Women and Girls in Science as a national programme, reaching 300 girls across three centres — 100 girls each in Lagos, Kano, and Enugu. One of the flagship events took place in March 2025 at Gbaja Girls High School, Surulere, Lagos, where over 100 female students participated in hands-on STEM workshops, career talks, and interactive sessions led by inspiring women role models. Through practical activities, creative showcases, and engaging discussions, students gained firsthand exposure to the possibilities within STEM and the critical role women play in innovation and national development. IHS Nigeria leaders encouraged the girls to dream boldly and embrace education, while W.TEC reaffirmed its commitment to closing the gender gap in STEM by equipping girls with confidence and future-ready skills.
Building on this nationwide impact, the 2026 edition will scale its reach further. The programme will engage 600 girls across three major cities — 200 girls in Lagos, 200 girls in Abuja, and 200 girls in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The Lagos celebration at Lagos City College will bring together 200 senior secondary school girls, comprising 100 students from the host school and 100 from Surulere Senior High School. In line with W.TEC’s commitment to inclusive access, transportation for visiting students will be fully provided at no cost, continuing the organisation’s long-standing practice of removing barriers to participation.
The Port Harcourt edition will similarly engage 200 girls in Rivers State, extending the programme’s impact to the South-South region and reinforcing W.TEC’s commitment to nationwide inclusion.
The 2026 programme will feature interactive science and technology demonstrations, a stimulating quiz competition, and a panel discussion with women professionals working across STEM fields. These sessions are designed to broaden academic exposure, strengthen confidence, spark curiosity, and deepen students’ aspirations to pursue STEM studies and careers.
W.TEC’s partnership with IHS Nigeria continues to demonstrate the power of corporate–civil society collaboration in driving meaningful, measurable impact. By bringing relatable female role models and hands-on STEM experiences directly into school environments, both organisations are actively reshaping perceptions of who belongs in STEM and empowering girls to see themselves as innovators and leaders.
With the support of the Office of the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary, Education District IV, and Lagos City College, W.TEC and IHS Nigeria are confident that the 2026 celebration will further reinforce shared commitments to educational excellence, gender inclusion, and future-ready skills — helping to nurture a generation of girls who are not just participants in science, but leaders within it.
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Lagos State Event: https://thenationonlineng.net/ihs-nigeria-w-tec-empower-400-girls-in-stem/
Abuja Event: https://dailytrust.com/fct-girls-urged-to-see-themselves-as-future-scientists/?noamp=available
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