Nigeria News (Standard)
Lagos Hosts STEM Africa Fest’s Sixth Edition, Expands Innovation Drive to Ilorin
Organisers promise free access for underserved children as festival targets wider reach beyond Lagos in July 2026
Organisers promise free access for underserved children as festival targets wider reach beyond Lagos in July 2026
The sixth edition of STEM Africa Fest, West Africa’s largest experiential science and technology festival for children and youth, will hold its flagship event at Landmark Event Centre, Lagos on Saturday, July 18, 2026. Organisers confirmed the expansion of the festival to multiple cities including Ilorin, Kwara State, to deepen access to hands-on STEM education nationwide.
With the theme ‘Building Future Innovators,’ this year’s festival aims to create immersive learning experiences for Nigerian children by exposing them to real-world applications of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM). Organisers say the event is designed to spark curiosity and problem-solving skills among young Nigerians while building a pipeline for future innovators.
At a media briefing in Lagos, Mrs Jadesola Adedeji, Co-organiser of STEM Africa Fest, restated the festival’s commitment to advancing practical STEM education in Nigeria. She said, “STEM Africa Fest was created to respond to the growing need to make STEM education more accessible, practical, and engaging for children across Nigeria. For too long, STEM learning has been perceived as abstract and disconnected from everyday experiences.” Adedeji noted that the festival now functions as a broader ecosystem-building platform connecting educators, innovators and partners across Africa.
Co-founder Titi Adewusi emphasised the focus on inclusion. “From inception, our goal has been to make participation as accessible as possible… At least 20% of attendees participate at no cost with transportation and feeding fully covered through our partners,” she said. Adewusi highlighted targeted efforts to reach public schools and NGOs while ensuring girls are empowered in STEM pathways.
According to UNESCO, Sub-Saharan Africa faces a persistent shortage of skilled STEM professionals due largely to limited access to practical science and technology education at early stages. In Nigeria specifically, this gap is visible in schools where theory-heavy curricula restrict exposure to applied innovation such as coding or robotics.
This year’s programme will feature interactive labs in robotics, coding challenges, AI workshops, drone technology sessions and science experiments. Career-focused panels will expose participants to global technology sectors while dedicated sessions for parents and teachers will explore integrating experiential learning into school curriculums.
Since launching in 2021, STEM Africa Fest has reached over 25,000 children and educators across Nigeria and other African countries including Ghana and Kenya. Organisers invite students, teachers and families nationwide; registration details are available via official festival channels and www.stemafricafest.com.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Ekiti High Court Sentences Two to Death for Kidnapping NYSC Staff
Chief Judge Lekan Ogunmoye delivers judgment as third accused discharged over insufficient evidence in Ado-Ekiti case
Chief Judge Lekan Ogunmoye delivers judgment as third accused discharged over insufficient evidence in Ado-Ekiti case
An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday sentenced two men, Ibrahim Abubakar and Abdullahi Abubakar, to death by hanging after finding them guilty of kidnapping a staff member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in April 2022. The judgment was delivered at High Court I, Fajuyi, by the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye.
According to court proceedings, the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested the convicts following the abduction of Omoboade Adesina, a female NYSC staff member, on 22 April 2022 in Ekiti State. The suspects were arraigned under suit number HAD/124C/2022. After thorough trial and examination of evidence presented by prosecutors, the court found Ibrahim Abubakar and Abdullahi Abubakar culpable for kidnapping. However, a third defendant, Usman Abubakar, was discharged and acquitted after the court ruled there was not enough evidence linking him to the crime.
Kidnapping has become a pressing security concern across Nigeria, with rising incidents affecting both urban and rural communities. The conviction comes amid mounting pressure on security agencies and judicial authorities in Ekiti State and other parts of the South-West to address cases of abductions targeting public servants, students, and local residents. The prosecution relied on investigative work carried out by the DSS to secure the convictions.
Delivering his verdict, Justice Ogunmoye pronounced capital punishment on the two convicted men. He stated that “the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt,” leading to their sentencing by hanging while acquitting the third accused due to lack of sufficient evidence. No immediate comment was available from defence counsel following the ruling.
With this development, legal analysts say courts in Ekiti State are sending a strong signal that kidnapping cases will be met with severe penalties when proven. Security agencies have been urged to intensify operations and continue close collaboration with judicial authorities to ensure perpetrators face justice under Nigerian law.
Source: https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/kidnappers-sentenced-to-death-in-ekiti/
Nigeria News (Standard)
EFCC Witness Tells Abuja Court NSTIF Contractors Met All Conditions in ₦2.2bn Fraud Case
Testimony comes as former Labour Minister Ngige faces scrutiny over procurement practices at Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund
Testimony comes as former Labour Minister Ngige faces scrutiny over procurement practices at Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund
A prosecution witness has told an Abuja court that contractors engaged by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSTIF) fulfilled all requirements in the controversial ₦2.2 billion contract fraud case involving former Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige. The testimony was given on Thursday during ongoing proceedings in the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the witness, whose evidence forms part of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) investigation, the contractors complied with all stipulated guidelines and procurement conditions before their contracts were awarded by NSTIF. The EFCC has alleged irregularities in contract awards during Ngige’s tenure as minister, prompting a high-profile trial that has drawn attention to procurement practices within federal agencies.
The case is significant as it highlights persistent concerns about transparency and accountability in public sector contracting in Nigeria, especially regarding major federal institutions like NSTIF. The anti-graft agency’s probe into the alleged fraud is part of wider efforts to address corruption and recover public funds misappropriated through inflated or improperly awarded contracts.
During Thursday’s hearing, the EFCC’s witness maintained under cross-examination that due process was observed by the contractors, noting that all relevant documents and performance guarantees were provided as required by law. However, defence lawyers have insisted there were no grounds for the fraud allegations, arguing that due diligence was followed throughout the process.
The court adjourned further hearing to a later date for continuation of trial. The outcome is expected to shape ongoing discourse about contract awards and anti-corruption measures in federal ministries, departments and agencies across Nigeria.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Defence Minister Musa Hosts UK Security Delegation in Abuja, Reviews Military Partnership MoUs
UK National Security Adviser leads talks on counter-terrorism and technical training as both nations seek to modernise cooperation
UK National Security Adviser leads talks on counter-terrorism and technical training as both nations seek to modernise cooperation
Nigeria and the United Kingdom have commenced a comprehensive review of their existing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on security and defence, focusing on modernising protocols and boosting military capacity-building for the Nigerian Armed Forces. The high-level talks took place in Abuja on Tuesday, led by Defence Minister Gen. Christopher Musa and the UK National Security Adviser, Mr Jonathan Powell.
The UK delegation is currently in Abuja for the fourth edition of the UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership (SDP4) Dialogue. During their meeting with Nigerian defence officials, both sides agreed to deepen collaboration through expanded technical training programmes and enhanced intelligence sharing frameworks.
This renewed engagement comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with evolving security challenges, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, and threats to regional stability across West Africa. Analysts say that stronger international partnerships remain crucial for Nigeria’s military to address complex threats and adapt to modern warfare demands.
Defence Minister Musa reaffirmed Nigeria’s “unwavering commitment” to maintaining a strategic alliance with the United Kingdom. According to Musa, deepening bilateral ties would help address critical issues such as counter-terrorism operations, intelligence exchange, and stabilising volatile regions within Nigeria’s borders. The minister described the dialogue as an opportunity for both countries to review progress on past agreements and chart a new path for future cooperation.
The visiting UK team reiterated its support for Nigeria’s security agenda, stating that ongoing technical assistance would continue under the revised partnership framework. Both parties are expected to conclude their review with an updated set of MoUs outlining specific deliverables in military training and operational support. Further announcements on new joint initiatives are anticipated following the conclusion of this week’s dialogue sessions.
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