In a groundbreaking partnership, Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN) has teamed up with Boeing to launch the STEMpreneurship Quest Program, a transformative initiative aimed at empowering 600 girls across five Nigerian states. This program seeks to inspire secondary school girls by introducing them to entrepreneurship through science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.
Ugonna Achebe, Executive Director of Junior Achievement Nigeria, expressed the initiative’s goals: “Through the STEMpreneurship Quest Program, we are encouraging young girls to dream big and create bold solutions using the tools of STEM and entrepreneurship. Thanks to Boeing’s support, we are breaking down barriers and unlocking the potential of tomorrow’s innovators. Our mission is to not only provide these girls with the technical skills they need but also to help them believe in their ability to lead, create, and transform their world.”
Program Details and Impact
The program is being rolled out in Ogun, Kano, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, and Enugu States, with ten schools in each state participating. A total of 12 girls will be selected from each school, making up a total of 600 girls. The initiative aims to build entrepreneurial mindsets and hands-on skills using STEM-based learning.
Participants will engage in practical projects, tackle real-world challenges, and learn how to apply their STEM knowledge to develop tangible solutions. The program also incorporates design thinking workshops, helping the girls identify opportunities and take initiative.
A Step Toward Gender Inclusion in STEM
The STEMpreneurship Quest Program aligns with Junior Achievement Nigeria’s core mission to promote entrepreneurship, digital literacy, and work readiness, while also championing gender inclusion in the traditionally male-dominated fields of STEM. This program prepares young girls for future careers in technology and innovation, bridging the gender gap and providing them with the tools to succeed.
This partnership also contributes to JA Africa’s larger mission of empowering 10 million girls across Africa by 2050, laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and innovative future.
By empowering these young girls, Junior Achievement Nigeria and Boeing are shaping the next generation of women leaders in STEM, fostering creativity, and encouraging girls to explore technology-driven solutions to the challenges that matter most to them.
