‘STEM crucial to Nigeria, Africa’s economic development’

To meet the demands of today’s tech-focused labour market and create a generation of innovators that would advance Nigeria and Africa sustainable economic development, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), education remains a major factor.

According to Director and Chief Executive Officer, STEM METS Resources, Jadesola Adedeji, the country’s education sector must change and adjust in order for its products to be equipped with salient employable skill sets, which include critical thinking, problem solving, team work and communication.

Adedeji, while interacting with the media in Lagos noted that many graduates emerge from universities without these important skill sets, which she blamed on the country’s obsolete curriculum.

Noting that the country is struggling to catch up, Adedeji said a huge population of 30-year-olds and those below, were without the requisite skills set for the workplace, with about 18 per cent in primary school, 42 per cent in secondary and 15 per cent in tertiary institutions, while 25 per cent have no formal education.

She added that employers were re-skilling or retraining them to ensure they have the skills required to function maximally. Adedeji said the solution is for the country hurriedly close the gap and prepare the youths for work, by overhauling the education sector, so as to avail them quality learning.