Community Innovation Hub hosts Limitless Space Institute, IHS Towers Visit

Tosin Clegg

The Community Innovation Hub (CIH) in Lagos played host to an inspiring event as the Limitless Space Institute (LSI) and IHS Towers, alongside 15 educators from the United States and Nigeria, visited the facility. This visit was part of the Global Limitless Educator Program, which is shaping the future of space science education in Africa.

The day began with a welcome address by Mr. Soji Megbowon, Executive Director of Teenpreneurs Educational Foundation and Co-Founder of Community Innovation Hub. In his speech, Mr. Megbowon expressed his gratitude to IHS Towers and Limitless Space Institute for recognizing the pivotal role the hub plays in raising a network of space science educators, not only in Nigeria but also across Africa. He praised the initiative as “a bold step toward delivering on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG-4),” which focuses on quality education for all.

Mr. Megbowon highlighted how the Community Innovation Hub is positioned to raise space science engineers across African communities by leveraging technology as a tool to foster learning and innovation. With the increasing demand for tech-driven solutions in space exploration, CIH is playing a vital role in nurturing the next generation of African scientists and engineers who will contribute to the global space science industry.

In her remarks, Mrs. Kaci Heins, the head of the LSI team, spoke passionately about the critical role of technology in advancing space exploration. “Technology innovation is the key that opens doors to the future of space. The creativity and ingenuity that I see here at the Community Innovation Hub are exactly what we need to push the boundaries of exploration,” she said, encouraging the young tech natives to remain committed to their development.

The event also featured Ms. Asmau Smaila, Associate Director of IHS Towers, who inspired the young innovators not to give up on their dreams. “I am amazed by the creativity on display today,” she remarked. “These innovations are proof that with hard work and support, you can achieve your goals, no matter where you start.”

The Global Limitless Educator Program, funded by IHS Towers, aims to cultivate space science enthusiasts across Nigerian classrooms and communities, transcending socio-economic barriers. The program underscores the power of education and technology in empowering students to become change-makers in the fields of science and space.

During the visit, the mentors at CIH, including Mrs. Esther Ajayi, Ms. Bunmi Meshach, Mr. Adewale Oseni (Centre Manager), and Ms. Tobiloba Adeola, hosted the educators and led discussions on the hub’s mission. Ms. Bunmi Meshach gave the visiting team a tour of the facility, showcasing the impact CIH has made over the past nine years. She presented compelling statistics about the number of teenagers who have received global scholarships to study abroad and highlighted the innovative projects developed by the hub’s young minds.

One standout innovation showcased during the visit was Astro Edu, a virtual reality (VR) solution developed by Erioluwa Olowoyo. Astro Edu enables learners and educators to explore space assets and deepen their understanding of space science through an immersive VR experience. The solution received praise from the visiting educators, who commended its potential to transform space science education.

The event was anchored by Kehinde Ajasa, an intern at the Community Innovation Hub, who provided an overview of the hub’s success since its inception. Kehinde highlighted the pivotal role CIH has played in nurturing young innovators and equipping them with the tools and knowledge to thrive in the fast-evolving tech landscape.

As the event concluded, the visiting educators took time to critique the innovations presented by the young natives, offering valuable feedback and areas for improvement. The day’s activities reinforced CIH’s position as a key player in empowering young Africans through technology, with the ultimate goal of raising future space scientists and engineers.
The Community Innovation Hub continues to make strides in developing space science enthusiasts and innovators across Africa, proving that location and socio-economic barriers are no hindrance to achieving greatness in space science.

This visit represents a significant step toward building a network of future-ready space science professionals who will shape the world of tomorrow.