KEY POINTS
- NNPC Limited warns that 18.4 million Nigerian children lack access to STEM education, threatening national development goals.
- The company is expanding youth-focused programmes to promote innovation, energy literacy, and entrepreneurship.
- Schools in Abuja were rewarded for energy innovation projects at the “Battle of the Energy Titans” competition.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC Limited, has raised alarm over a widening gap in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, warning that about 18.4 million Nigerian children are currently excluded from critical learning opportunities.
The concern was expressed by the Managing Director of the NNPC Foundation, Emmanuella Arukwe, during the “Battle of the Energy Titans” awards ceremony held in Abuja in partnership with the Oloibiri Oil and Gas Entrepreneurship Development Initiative (OLOGED).
She warned that the gap poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s ability to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in innovation, energy access, and economic development.
Arukwe highlighted that Nigeria’s large youth population, over 80 million people aged between 10 and 24—represents a major opportunity to build a new generation of innovators capable of solving energy poverty and driving the global energy transition.
However, she stressed that without improved access to STEM education, much of this potential could remain untapped.
She noted that the NNPC Foundation is investing in education, health, environmental sustainability, and energy access programmes aimed at bridging the gap and preparing young Nigerians for future challenges.
Ongoing Youth Empowerment and Innovation Programmes
According to the foundation, more than 500 young Nigerians have already benefited from training programmes focused on employment and entrepreneurship.
Initiatives such as the STEM Book Project, NYSC empowerment schemes, and climate-smart agriculture training are part of ongoing efforts to build capacity among students and young professionals.
The “Battle of the Energy Titans” competition also showcased student innovations in solar power systems, clean cooking solutions, mini-grid technologies, and waste-to-energy projects.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Sunday Asefon Dayo, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to youth empowerment under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
He noted that energy poverty continues to affect education and productivity but praised the growing involvement of young Nigerians in developing practical solutions.
He also commended the NNPC Foundation and its partners for promoting innovation and energy literacy among students nationwide.
At the event, Government Science Secondary School, Maitama, placed third, while Nigeria-Korea Model School, Piwoyi, came second.
Premier Academy, Lugbe, emerged as the overall winner of the competition. The winning schools received cash prizes of up to ₦1 million along with other awards.
