Sixty pupils of Government College, Sirulere, Lagos, showcased innovations as they concluded a nine-week STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education programme powered by SAIL Empowerment Foundation.
The training, facilitated by STEM Café, initiative of Co-Creation Hub, technology and innovation centre, equipped senior secondary school pupils with skills to build real-world solutions.
During the Demo and graduation at the school, the young innovators presented their projects before an audience that included Co-founder of SAIL Empowerment Foundation and senator representing Lagos East, Mukhail Abiru; foundation’s Chief Impact Officer, Deji Abisola; Global President of Government College Lagos Old Boys Association, Jibola Bakare; and Board Member of Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, Saheed Ibikunle.
Other dignitaries were Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary of Education District IV, school administrators, teachers, parents, and top officials.
In his keynote address: “Empowering the Next Generation Through STEM Innovation,” Abiru, an alumnus, described the programme as a symbol of what public-private collaboration can achieve in education.
“This Demo Day is not just ceremonial; it is a bold statement of what becomes achievable when we nurture curiosity and provide 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 said the STEM Lab, retrofitted and fully equipped by the SAIL Foundation, was strategically built within a legacy block of the school as a tribute to his own educational beginnings.
“This is where my foundation was laid 50 years ago,” he recalled. “Exposing our children to innovation early is the only way to prepare them for global relevance.”
The lab forms part of a growing network of innovation centres established by the Foundation, including the flagship SAIL Innovation Lab in Ikorodu and the SAIL Innovation and Sports Centre in Orimedu, Ibeju-Lekki.
According to Senator Abiru, these projects align with one of the three pillars of his legislative focus, Endowment, alongside Legislation and Facilitation & Empowerment.
“We are building platforms that give our children access to knowledge, mentorship, and modern learning spaces,” he said. “The future belongs to those equipped with scientific literacy and digital competence.”
He further revealed that over 1,900 youths have benefited from various tech training programmes, and more than 6,000 teachers have been impacted through the SAIL Teachers Fellowship. The senator announced that a new, larger STEM facility is under construction in Ibeju-Lekki, scheduled for commissioning later this year or early next year.
Abiru also appealed to the corporate world and private sector players to support initiatives that nurture young talents, especially in foundational learning areas, rather than focusing resources primarily on entertainment.
“We must focus on young talent at the foundational stage and combine orthodox teachings with practical STEM exposure to shape a better future,” he emphasized.
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Speaking at the event, Chief Impact Officer of SAIL Foundation, Mr. Deji Abisola, disclosed that the programme is not limited to Government College Lagos. He said the Foundation also runs a similar STEM initiative at the SAIL Innovation Lab in Ikorodu, where students from 10 public secondary schools participate each term under the SAILors Programme.
“The next cohorts at GCL and the participating schools will resume after the long break as part of our ongoing commitment to digital education,” he said.
Vice Principal of Government College Lagos, Mrs. Ngozi Eneje, commended the collaborative efforts that birthed the initiative. She praised Senator Abiru and the SAIL Foundation for their foresight and commitment to educational transformation.
Global President of GCLOBA, Mr. Jibola Bakare, also expressed deep appreciation to Senator Abiru for his “unparalleled contributions” to the growth and development of the college.
The event concluded with a tour of the fully-equipped STEM Lab, where dignitaries inspected student-built prototypes and interacted with the young innovators.
Other notable old boys of the school in attendance included Prof. Bankole Sodipo, SAN; Rear Admiral Leye Jaiyeola (Rtd); Mr. A. A. Akinajo; Mr. Akin Ogunmowo; and Mr. Timothy Aluko, Chief Operating Officer of Co-Creation Hub.