SWIS Africa to hold first SWIS Hub Innovation Lab in Lagos this weekend

Shaping African Women in STEM (SWIS Africa) will hold the first Pop-Up Innovation Lab under its SWIS Hub project in Lagos on Friday and Saturday, August 7 and 8, 2026, at the University of Lagos.

The two-day intensive workshop, themed around artificial intelligence and data science, will bring together young women aged 18 to 35 for hands-on training designed to build practical digital skills and open doors to mentorship and career opportunities in STEM.

The Lagos lab is the first of four Pop-Up Innovation Labs planned across Nigeria over the course of the SWIS Hub project, which runs from May 2026 to April 2027 and is expected to directly reach more than 500 young women in STEM nationwide.

SWIS Africa said participants at the Lagos event would work through practical sessions led by experienced facilitators, with opportunities to connect with mentors and peers building careers in technology and data-driven fields.

The SWIS Hub project is funded through the AU-EU Youth Action Lab Innovation Grant, co-funded by the European Union and the African Union and managed by Oxfam Novib, and forms part of a broader initiative that includes a digital mentorship platform, a Media Fellowship for young women in science communication, and STEM Circles for peer learning across the country.

Speaking ahead of the event, the Executive Director of SWIS Africa, Samuel Ogunsola, said the Lagos lab marked an important first step in bringing the SWIS Hub's vision to life.

He said, "This weekend is where the work truly begins. We have spent months building toward this moment, and we cannot wait to see young women in Lagos roll up their sleeves and dive into AI and data science. This is what the Hub is all about, giving women in STEM real skills, real connections and real opportunities."

Interested participants and partners can follow SWIS Africa's channels for updates from the Lagos lab as it unfolds.