A member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Marvellous Otarigho has donated laboratory equipment worth N8 million to Government Junior Secondary School, Life Camp, Abuja, to advance the teaching and learning of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.

Otarigho said the laboratory was donated to the school as part of her Community Development Service (CDS), and was officially unveiled at a brief ceremony attended by stakeholders.

The excited teachers and students commended the donor for her efforts in promoting effective teaching and learning of science education in the school.

Otarigho, in her remarks, said the project could transform learning and spark innovation in the minds of the students.

She said: “Today is not just the unveiling of a room filled with equipment. It is the beginning of a journey where knowledge will no longer be limited to pages in a textbook, but students will experience learning first-hand through discovery and experimentation.”

Otarigho stressed that the unveiling coincided with the 2025 Nelson Mandela Day — a day set aside by the United Nations towards making a difference in the communities — an occasion for everyone to take action and inspire change.

She commended various organisations and individuals who supported the project, saying efforts would also be made to ensure resources are provided for the maintenance of the laboratory.

“At the time I resumed my service year, I was assigned to teach basic science, a subject some of the students were not good at, hence, their lack of interest in the subject.

“Upon resumption, I did my best to make the subject more attractive to them. In the process of doing this, I saw that a major reason why the students are not much interested in basic science is that there is no laboratory to demonstrate some of the teachings in practical terms. I decided to embark on this project as my personal project, in line with the NYSC tradition. This laboratory is a gift to these students, who are today’s learners and tomorrow’s innovators.

“Whether you dream of becoming doctors, engineers, researchers, or inventors, let this space be where your dreams begin to take shape. We are not just opening a laboratory, we are opening minds, possibilities, and a future filled with promise,” she added.

Otarigho said she planned to do massive work in the school to further promote teaching and learning of sciences, adding that plans are already underway to launch a science club, where she would personally teach the students.

She noted that these children are the foundation when it comes to nation-building. Hence, they must be well-groomed and nurtured to bring about the desired change in Nigeria.

Director, Science, Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, FCT Universal Basic Education Board, Florence Wenegieme, commended Otarigho for coming up with such a laudable project, saying it would go a long way in promoting STEM education.

While noting that government alone cannot effectively fund education, Wenegieme said the project would advance science education in the school, as students would combine theoretical knowledge in the class with practical experimentation in the laboratory.

She said: “We are in the world of technology. For us to meet global challenges as a nation, we cannot do without science and technology, which is why we appreciate this. We pray other corps members will emulate her by supporting the government.

On his part, the Principal, Mr Nnanawachukwu Francis, lauded the corps member and enjoined well-meaning Nigerians to support the government in its task of developing the sector.