Professor Toyin Falola, one of Africa’s most distinguished historians and intellectuals, has led a coalition of renowned scientists and innovators in advocating for the early introduction of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education for African girls. The call was made during the latest edition of the widely respected Toyin Falola Interviews, a virtual platform that continues to provide a robust space for thought leadership on critical issues affecting Africa and the diaspora. 

Held under the theme ‘African Women in Science and Technology’, the panel featured a diverse and highly accomplished group of scholars and practitioners: Dr Veronica Okello, Senior Lecturer, Department of Physical Sciences, Machakos University, Kenya; Professor Catherine Ngila, Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences (FAAS) and member of the Academy of Science of South Africa; Dr Ibraheem T. Badejo, Senior Director, New Ventures at Johnson & Johnson Innovation, Boston; Professor Lucie T. Tchouassi, Mechanical Engineering Department, New Jersey Institute of Technology; and Dr Wumi Sadik, Nigerian-American professor, chemist, and inventor, also of New Jersey Institute of Technology. 

The session spotlighted persistent gaps in female representation in STEM fields across Africa and the urgent need to intervene early in the educational journeys of African girls to create a pipeline of empowered innovators. 

Dr Ibraheem T. Badejo opened with a personal narrative of resilience and mentorship. Arriving in the United States with just $50, he recounted how the guidance of a committed mentor transformed his trajectory—eventually leading him to helm billion-dollar innovations at one of the world’s leading healthcare companies. 

“There’s immense power in mentorship,” said Badejo. “When I see young African women in my office, especially those who seem unsure of themselves, I go out of my way to check in and guide them. We need to start nurturing talent early—especially the female child in countries like Nigeria and Ghana. African women are often underrepresented in major global organisations, not because they lack capability, but because they lack structured support.” 

He called for intentional STEM programming that identifies promising girls at an early stage, coupled with investment in sustained mentorship and institutional encouragement to bridge gender disparities. 

Dr Wumi Sadik offered a similar view, rooted in her experience as a chemistry student at the University of Lagos. Facing scepticism from her own family about her chosen field, she had to explain the value of chemistry in everyday life—like how kerosene is derived from petroleum. Today, she points to Nigeria’s massive Dangote Refinery to illustrate the real-world applications of STEM education. 

Sadik emphasized the need for a multi-sectoral approach to policy and funding that centres gender equity. “People do not understand that basic science is what leads to the technologies we now rely on. Governments, NGOs, and the private sector all have roles to play,” she said. “We must develop national STEM policies that eliminate biases and actively increase the participation of girls and women.” 

She outlined a roadmap for meaningful progress, including gender-responsive recruitment and promotion policies; dedicated funding and scholarships for girls in STEM; incentives for higher education institutions to prioritize gender inclusion; integration of gender dimensions into research and innovation; capacity-building for STEM teachers at all levels; and increased digital literacy for African girls 

“There is a lot we can do,” she concluded. “We do not have to wait for government to act alone. AI is advancing rapidly. The question is: where will Africa be in ten years?” 

Dr Veronica Okello added that African women are no longer passive participants in STEM—they are solving real-world problems. “Women often lead socially inclusive innovations that are deeply rooted in their communities,” she said. “Governments need to move from a donor mentality to an investment mindset.” Okello advocated for the procurement of solutions from women-led STEM startups, arguing that such support would strengthen local supply chains, reduce dependency on imports, and build long-term resilience. She also called for culturally informed mentorship programmes and long-term policy reforms that create equitable ecosystems for women in science. 

The panellists agreed that early STEM education for African girls is not just a developmental imperative—it is a strategic investment in the continent’s future. With the right mix of mentorship, policy reform, and funding, Africa can unlock the full potential of its most underutilized resource: its women. 

The Toyin Falola Interviews, which hosted the discussion, was praised by panellists and viewers alike for its enduring contribution to intellectual discourse on Africa. Now in its several-year run, the platform has become a powerhouse for cross-disciplinary engagement, connecting thought leaders, policymakers, and the public in meaningful conversations. 

Professor Falola’s leadership in amplifying such crucial issues was widely lauded. Under his stewardship, the Interviews have consistently raised pressing questions about Africa’s future, from decolonization and education to technology and gender equity. 

Original article published in Nigerian Tribune.