“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty,” wrote Maya Angelou, the acclaimed American poet and civil rights activist whose words often illuminate the journey of growth and transformation. That truth echoed through the University of Lagos (UNILAG) as it partnered with the African Engineering and Technology Network (Afretec) to host the “Empowering Girls as Eco-STEM Trailblazers Summer Camp 2025.”
This year, sixty (60) secondary school girls from Lagos State’s six Education Districts converged on the UNILAG, Akoka campus, stepping into a learning environment designed to stretch their curiosity and sharpen their sense of responsibility to the planet. Through hands-on activities, teamwork, and guided exploration, they began to see how science, engineering, and technology can be shaped into practical responses to the realities of climate change.
A Focus on Practical Solutions and STEM Pathways
Building on the success of the 2024 maiden edition, which also involved 60 girls, this year’s program featured an expanded curriculum. The participants, driven by an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), engaged in modules covering:
• Renewable Energy Engineering
• Sustainable Design
• Green Technology
• Climate Science
• Leveraging AI tools for climate action
• Building renewable energy projects
The girls worked on team projects where they identified environmental challenges in their communities, designed STEM-based solutions, and presented prototypes for expert feedback. The goal is for these young women to become “change agents” in their environment.
Inspiring Future Climate Leaders and Educators
The camp was held from September 15 to 18, 2025 at the Centre for Educational technology (CET), Faculty of Education, University of Lagos. The event was led by Professor Uchenna N. Udeani, Afretec-UNILAG Teaching and Learning Pillar Lead and Project Coordinator, and had Dr. Victor Odumuyiwa, as Co-Lead.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics & Research), Professor Bola Oboh, representing the Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS, addressed the girls during the opening ceremony, formally welcoming them to the University. Professor Oboh highlighted the visible effects of climate change, such as flooding and coastal erosion in Lagos, often exacerbated by urbanisation and deforestation.
Professor Oboh also encouraged the girls to consider STEM careers, including a powerful call to become educators. She noted that female teachers are often more effective at explaining complex STEM concepts than male teachers.
Deep Dive into Green Chemistry and Renewable Energy
The core of the camp featured highly interactive sessions designed to ground the girls in sustainable practices:
- Green Chemistry: Facilitated by Professor Toyin Owoyemi, this session encouraged the girls to become intentional in reducing their carbon footprint. She introduced the concept of Green Chemistry, a sustainable solution for a cleaner future where test materials are non-harmful to the environment. The girls participated in demonstrations using organic materials like zobo (in place of litmus paper) and other natural materials (in place of phenolphthalein) to test the acidity or base content of common items like vinegar, baking soda solution, and Coca-Cola. Working in groups, they compared results from natural indicators (like beetroot) against traditional litmus paper, making the session wholesome and interactive.
- Renewable Energy: Professor S.O.A. Fakorede led an enlightening session on renewable energies, differentiating between renewable and non-renewable energy sources and encouraging the girls to be open to less harmful alternatives. The girls actively tested the electricity-generating capabilities of organic materials like oranges and cucumbers and were shown demonstrations of how solar energy works using solar panels. He charged the participants that, by undergoing this training, they too are now trainers and ambassadors who must spread sustainable enlightenment.
Subsequent key academic sessions and events included:
- Leveraging AI for Sustainable Solutions: Dr. Victor Odumuyiwa and his team at NitHub led a hands-on session on “Leveraging AI to develop Sustainable Solutions for Local Environmental Challenges”.
- Sustainable Design and Engineering: Dr. Khadijah Abdulsalam conducted a practical session on Sustainable Design and Engineering.
- Invited Guest Lecture: Professor Olayide Obidi presented a guest lecture.
- Student Presentations: The girls presented their Prototype STEM-Based Solutions, followed by a detailed discussion of their Action Plans.
A Musical Interlude: The Power of STEM and Song
The event, which was also an opportunity for networking and shared inspiration, included an interactive music session prompted by Dr. Khadijah Abdulsalam.
In a truly inspiring moment, Miss Marufah Akintoye, a Physics teacher at Mainland Senior High School, shared an uplifting anthem she taught her students for their Jet Club:
“Building minds, (re re la)
Building dreams, (mi mi re do)
With science, tech and engineering teams. (mi so so mi re re mi re do)
We innovate, we create, (re re re la)
We explore. (mi mi do)
Jet leading the way and more.” (mi so so mi re mi re do)
This powerful song, celebrating the innovative spirit of STEM, was shared with the gathering and will go forth to inspire other schools, demonstrating that passion and creativity are essential elements in the STEM journey.
Creating Community Ambassadors for a Sustainable Future
The outcomes of the camp are designed to extend far beyond the classroom. The participants are expected to leave the camp equipped with the confidence and skills to lead practical climate action in their communities, such as:
• Sanitation drives
• Tree planting and shrub planting
• Recycling programs
• Promoting household practices that reduce carbon footprints
The University of Lagos itself is committed to sustainability, mentioning efforts like measuring air quality, planting trees, and introducing more electric buses as shuttles on campus to reduce pollution. The electric/solar buses operated on campus by OGATA in collaboration with ChartEco also supported the event by providing transport for students to the campus tech hubs.
The Closing Ceremony featured a question and answer session where the girls had the opportunity to answer questions about the topics covered, and to articulate their plans to enhance environmental conditions. Teachers who accompanied the students were also asked about their strategies to inspire and support the young girls.
In her closing remarks, Professor Uchenna N. Udeani encouraged the attendees to seize more opportunities and expand upon the knowledge and skills acquired. Following a vote of thanks rendered by one o the students, Muizah Awesu, the Award of Certificates was carried out by Professor Toyin Owoyemi and Professor Uchenna Udeani.
The ultimate hope is that the girls will become Ambassadors who go into their communities to drive positive change and ensure a more sustainable future for all.
And just like the butterfly so beautifully referenced in Maya Angelou’s words at the beginning of this article, these girls are in their own quiet season of transformation. They are gathering skills, stretching their imagination, and testing the early strength of their wings. The journey may be gradual, shaped by patience, guidance, and deliberate learning, but what emerges is unmistakable: young minds becoming surer of themselves, more attuned to their environment, and ready to take flight as leaders in a world that urgently needs their brilliance.
Through this collaboration, UNILAG and Afretec are not merely teaching STEM; they are midwifing transformation, nurturing girls who will rise, evolve, and shape the future with the grace and courage of butterflies.
Click here —> https://youtu.be/21LNnWIaVqA to watch a video highlight of the Eco-STEM Trailblazers Summer Camp 2025.
Arthur: Nike Ogunshakin
Assistant: Male D. Quadri
Photographer: Islamist Akanni
