Equipping students, teachers to build community-solving prototypes early fosters local innovation — Obidike

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Amanda Obidike is a social entrepreneur, a girl-child and women's advocate, and a technology enthusiast. She is the Founder ...

Amanda Obidike is a social entrepreneur, a girl-child and women’s advocate, and a technology enthusiast. She is the Founder and Executive Director of STEMi Makers of Africa, where she brings her certifications in business, technology, governance, and policy into making Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and careers accessible to girls and young women in underserved schools and communities in sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions. In this interview by REMI FEYISIPO, Dr. Amanda spoke about her work in the technology and STEM sectors, the projects she has executed in the sector, among other issues. Excerpts:

What inspired the establishment of STEMi Makers of Africa, and what is sustaining it till date?

STEMi Makers of Africa was founded to confront the expanding unemployment crisis and the profound fragmentation within Africa’s educational institutions. Many university graduates face persistent rejection due to a glaring mismatch between traditional theoretical training and the practical technical competencies demanded by the modern workforce. This stark divide inspired our mission to bridge the gap by shifting focus directly to the classroom. Instead of leaving educators unequipped, we actively empower and upskill teachers with cutting-edge technological resources, transforming passive subjects into vibrant, hands-on learning experiences.

Sustained by impactful international partnerships and a steadfast commitment to grassroots empowerment, our initiative ensures that students no longer graduate unprepared. By cultivating essential market-ready skills and fostering real-world problem-solving abilities, we empower young Africans to transition seamlessly from academic settings into lucrative, sustainable employment, driving long-term economic growth, innovation, and technological self-reliance across the entire continent.

Most people blame parents, schools, and governments for the low participation of girls…

As…

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