Love for Change Women Foundation has equipped teenage girls in Kwara State with science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM), robotics and leadership skills through its InnovatHER STEAM Workshop.

The workshop is designed to nurture the next generation of Nigerian and African female innovators, problem-solvers and leaders.

Despite Nigeria's growing digital economy and increasing demand for technology-driven development, a significant gender gap persists, with relatively few girls enrolled in science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects in many secondary schools.

Seeking to bridge this gap, the foundation recently held the fourth edition of its InnovatHER Robotics Workshop in Ilorin, where participants actively engaged in practical robotics sessions, teamwork and interactive learning.

Speaking on the vision behind the initiative, the Founder of Love for Change Women Foundation, Mrs Modupeola Bello-Olukoya, said the workshop achieved its objective of exposing girls to practical robotics training, mentorship and leadership development.

She said the non-profit organisation is committed to empowering disadvantaged girls and young women with the skills and opportunities needed to thrive and make meaningful contributions to their communities.

According to Bello-Olukoya, the foundation aims to raise a generation of bold, creative and technology-driven girls capable of driving innovation in Nigeria, across Africa and beyond.

She said the workshop was designed to build participants' confidence while preparing them for careers in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.

"The affirmation session was especially impactful, strengthening their belief in themselves and reinforcing our mission of raising the next generation of African female innovators and leaders. While we achieved our goals, there is always room for improvement, and we remain committed to making every workshop even more impactful," she said.

Explaining why Kwara State was selected to host the programme, Bello-Olukoya said the state's growing investments in digital education, youth empowerment and technology created an enabling environment for sustainable partnerships and lasting impact.

She noted that the foundation identified an opportunity to move beyond creating awareness by equipping girls with practical, future-ready skills.

According to her, the robotics workshop enabled participants to apply their knowledge, build confidence and strengthen their problem-solving abilities while contributing to Kwara's growing innovation ecosystem.

She added that the programme combined robotics, leadership development, mentorship and interactive learning to nurture girls who are technically skilled, emotionally intelligent, confident and purpose-driven.

"Our goal is to raise wholesome female leaders who are not only technically skilled but also emotionally intelligent, relationally intelligent, confident and purpose-driven. Every aspect of the workshop was intentional, from the hands-on robotics experience to the leadership and mentorship sessions that strengthened collaboration, critical thinking and decision-making," she said.

Bello-Olukoya said the initiative extends beyond a one-day event, noting that the foundation has built a community of nearly 200 girls who continue to benefit from mentorship circles, fortnightly sessions on artificial intelligence, technology and personal development, as well as scholarship opportunities.

She added that the foundation has established monitoring and evaluation systems to track participants' progress and measure the programme's impact.

The LCWF founder called for partnerships with organisations, institutions and individuals committed to empowering girls, saying collaboration would expand opportunities for aspiring female innovators and leaders across Nigeria and Africa.

She described Kwara State as a strategic location for the foundation because of its growing focus on digital education, innovation and youth development.

"We look forward to strengthening our partnerships with the state government, schools and like-minded organisations to deliver more long-term programmes that equip girls with future-ready skills. Our vision is to build a sustainable pipeline of female innovators and leaders, and we believe Kwara has the right ecosystem to make that vision a reality," she said.