60 students trained in tech as Tokunbo Abiru’s foundation unveils STEM lab in Lagos

The SAIL Empowerment Foundation has equipped 60 students of Government College Lagos (GCL) with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills.

The foundation also unveiled a fully equipped lab to support the initiative.

In a statement on Monday, the SAIL foundation said the nine-week training took place inside the newly retrofitted STEM lab on the school premises.

The organisation added that the programme was facilitated by STEM Café, an initiative of Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB).

On the demo and graduation day, students showcased innovations they developed during the programme to guests including Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, co-founder of SAIL Foundation and senator representing Lagos East; Deji Abisola, chief impact officer of the foundation; Jibola Bakare, global president of the GCL Old Boys Association; and senior officials of the Lagos State Universal Education Board.

In his keynote address, titled “Empowering the Next Generation Through STEM Innovation”, Abiru, an alumnus of the school, said the training reflected the potential of public-private partnerships in human capital development.

“This Demo Day is not just ceremonial; it is a bold statement of what becomes achievable when we nurture curiosity and provide the tools to solve real-world problems,” Abiru said.

He noted that the new facility forms part of a broader network of innovation hubs set up by the foundation, including centres in Ikorodu and Ibeju-Lekki.

Abiru added that the initiative aligns with one of the core pillars of his work as a senator; endowment, alongside legislative duties and empowerment efforts.

Deji Abisola, chief impact officer, said the programme will continue in the new academic session, with new cohorts to be drawn from both GCL and other public schools enrolled under the foundation’s SAILors Programme.

Ngozi Eneje, vice-principal of GCL, commended the initiative and thanked SAIL Foundation for its investment in the students.

The event concluded with a tour of the STEM lab, where guests witnessed first-hand the modern equipment and student-built projects on display.

Other guests at the event include Bankole Sodipo, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Leye Jaiyeola, a retired rear admiral, and Timothy Aluko, chief operating officer at CcHUB.