SWIS Africa Launches STEM Circles Across Nigeria

Ten circles, and more on the way

SWIS Africa has launched its STEM Circles across Nigeria, starting with 10 circles that are now up and running. More circles are already on the way as we work to bring this community to young women in even more places.

The STEM Circles are part of SWIS Hub, our programme supported by the AU-EU Youth Action Lab Innovation Grant. Alongside the SWIS Hub digital platform and our Pop-Up Innovation Labs, the circles give young women something every STEM journey needs: people to grow with.

What is a STEM Circle?

A STEM Circle is a small peer mentorship group of young women who share an interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Members meet regularly to learn together, share ideas, talk honestly about their challenges and cheer one another on.

In six years of working with more than 5,000 young women, we have seen how much difference the right community makes. Training opens doors, but it is often a circle of peers that keeps a young woman going when the coursework gets hard, the job search feels slow or a new idea needs a second pair of eyes. The STEM Circles are built to make that kind of support a steady part of her journey, not a matter of luck.

Turning ideas into action

The circles are not only a place to talk about ideas. They are a place to act on them. STEM Circle participants will be eligible to receive funding from SWIS Africa to carry out projects of their own.

That could mean a community initiative, a research effort or a practical solution to a problem the members care about. Whatever shape it takes, the goal is the same: to give young women the backing to move from learning about STEM to using it to make a real difference around them.

What comes next

These first 10 circles are just the beginning. As more circles launch, we look forward to welcoming more young women into a growing network of peers who learn, build and lead together.

To stay updated on new circles and other opportunities, visit myswishub.com and create your account, and follow SWIS Africa on our social media channels. To every young woman who has already joined a circle: welcome. We cannot wait to see what you build.

SWIS Hub is funded by the AU-EU Youth Action Lab Innovation Grant, co-funded by the European Union and the African Union and managed by Oxfam Novib.