Fed Govt Prioritises STEM Education to Drive Innovation, Economic Growth

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to prioritising Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education as a strategic tool for driving innovation, economic growth and national competitiveness. The government said it was investing in the necessary infrastructure to prepare a new generation of innovators, engineers and technology leaders.

The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, stated this during this year’s STEM Expo for Pupils organised by STEM Childcare Academy in Abuja.

Represented by the Executive Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory Universal Basic Education Board (FCT-UBEB), Dr. Florence Wenegieme, the minister said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, through its Renewed Hope Agenda (RHA), places strong emphasis on STEM education as a catalyst for sustainable development and economic transformation.

She said the government would continue to provide the enabling environment and educational infrastructure needed to promote science and technology education.

The minister described STEM as essential to preparing Nigerian children for future opportunities in an increasingly technology-driven world. “STEM is now a global phenomenon. Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Entrepreneurship and Innovation have become indispensable to national development across the world. That is why government is committed to ensuring our children acquire these skills from an early age,” Dr. Mahmoud said.

She praised STEM Childcare Academy for introducing children to science and technology at the foundational level, noting that the initiative aligns with government’s vision of developing future innovators and problem-solvers.

“We appreciate STEM Childcare Academy for catching our children young because they are our future. We want to ensure they are equipped with the right knowledge and skills through STEM education,” she added.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of STEM Childcare Academy, Mamu Muhammad, urged the government to complement its commitment with increased funding and a robust policy framework to accelerate STEM education across the country.

He stressed that Nigeria’s education system must move beyond examination-oriented learning to practical education that encourages innovation, creativity and invention.

“STEM education provides the relevant skills needed in real-life situations. There must be a paradigm shift from learning merely to pass examinations to education that promotes innovation, creativity and practical problem-solving,” Muhammad said.

The educationist also called for a stronger collaboration with stakeholders and increased budgetary allocation to STEM education, stressing that the right policy direction is critical to achieving meaningful progress.

“Government should do much more by engaging relevant stakeholders, increasing investment and putting in place an effective policy framework. Without the right policies, we may not make the desired progress,” he added.

Muhammad noted that much of the advancement in STEM education in Nigeria has so far been driven by private schools and private sector initiatives.

He called for greater public sector participation.

The representative of the Director-General of the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited, Mrs. Maureen Nzekwe, underscored the importance of practical learning in nurturing future innovators.

“We at NIGCOMSAT strongly believe that developing innovators in Nigeria begins with platforms like this, where young minds gain hands-on STEM exposure, mentorship and the confidence to solve real-life problems,” she said.

Nzekwe expressed optimism in the participation of pupils in projects related to space technology.

She described it as a positive indicator of Nigeria’s future potential in the sector.

The Director of STEM Childcare Academy, Mrs. Rafia Abubakar, noted that exposing children to science and technology from an early age had become imperative in today’s digital economy.

“This world is becoming increasingly technology-driven. We need to inculcate science, technology and engineering into children at a tender age because virtually everything today revolves around STEM,” she said.

The expo featured exhibitions by pupils, who showcased innovative projects including smart city models, solar-powered systems and other technology-driven solutions designed to address societal challenges.