In every developed economy, the most powerful growth engines are not factories or oil rigs — they are human minds. A well-developed mind fuels innovation, drives industry and shapes institutions. History shows that no nation has sustainably risen out of poverty or stagnation without first investing in its people’s intellectual capacity.
The nation’s leading the Fourth Industrial Revolution — South Korea, Germany, Singapore — began by reforming their education systems, embedding science and technology, and nurturing a generation of thinkers and doers.
In the 21st century, where knowledge is currency and creativity, a competitive edge, a robust education system is no longer optional — it is foundational.
For Nigeria, with its large population paradox, the stakes could not be higher. As automation threatens millions of traditional jobs and the global economy increasingly demands STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) capabilities, empowering young Nigerians with these skills is a national imperative. The journey toward a prosperous, equitable future runs through classrooms — not boardrooms.
At the crossroads of urgency and opportunity, the NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL) and Seplat Energy have continued to spark transformation in Edo State and the entire Niger Delta’s education system, not by lobbying for policy reform or issuing white papers, but by empowering classrooms with purpose-built STEAM laboratories.
At Niger College, Army Day Secondary School, and Oba Akenzua Secondary School, the newly installed STEAM labs now pulse with energy — equipped with modern computers, internet access, and subject-specific kits. But these are more than rooms with gadgets; they’re ecosystems of curiosity. They represent Seplat’s belief that sustainable corporate impact means moving beyond CSR box-checking to becoming architects of futures.
The three recently commissioned laboratories are in addition to the three existing ones earlier commissioned at Ihogbe College, New Era College and Edo Boys High School, all in Benin City.
Also, in Delta State, three schools; Unity Model Secondary School, Asaba; Women Affairs Secondary School, Asaba and Afadia College, Ibusa, have been fitted with these innovation hubs, bringing the total number to nine STEAM Labs, across Edo and Delta states.
Closing The STEAM Divide
THE significance of this intervention lies in its timing. Nigeria faces a dual crisis of economic fragility and slow educational development. The Federal Ministry of Education reports that less than 30 per cent of public secondary schools have functional science labs. Meanwhile, the World Economic Forum predicts that while 85 million jobs may vanish due to automation, 97 million more will emerge — most demanding STEAM skills. The catch? Nigeria risks being left behind unless it closes this gap fast.
A Model That Moves Beyond Infrastructure
WHAT makes this effort unique is not just the sleek labs, but the model that underpins them. Seplat Energy’s education drive also includes the Seplat Teachers Empowerment Programme (STEP); ensuring educators can effectively deliver STEAM concepts using modern, hands-on methods. It is this combination of tools and training that transforms learning from passive absorption into active discovery.
While the focus is local, the implications are national. According to a vulnerability survey by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria has over 81,000 public secondary schools and millions of young learners with untapped potential. With this abundant youthful population, every functional laboratory becomes a microeconomic engine—an incubator for the engineers, coders and designers who will power tomorrow’s industries.
Collaboration As A Force Multiplier
THIS transformation was not achieved in isolation. At the commissioning ceremony, state officials, school administrators, and community leaders stood united. Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, represented by Education Commissioner, Dr. Emmanuel Paddy Iyamu, emphasised the state’s commitment to replicating this success. Commissioner for Mining, Oil and Gas, Andrew Ijegbai, hailed the labs as pivotal to the state’s developmental blueprint. When public and private sectors work in sync, the results speak for themselves.
Learning by Doing: The New Frontier
GONE are the days when science was taught solely with chalk and theory. In these laboratories, students experiment, prototype and problem-solve. According to UNESCO, schools with access to STEAM laboratories report up to 30 per cent increases in student engagement and performance.
In Edo, principals like Godwin Idemudia of Niger College and Osemwenkhae Ezeilekhae of Army Day Secondary School attest to this firsthand: students can now form science clubs, code apps and tackle engineering puzzles after school.
Seplat Energy’s effort stands out as an example of strategic philanthropy. It is not random goodwill—it is systems-thinking, applied to social investment. Rather than sprinkle resources thinly across unrelated causes, the company is deepening its impact in one transformative area: education. By doing so, it ensures long-term ROI not just for communities, but for the economy at large.
From Classrooms To Competitiveness
THE link between education and national competitiveness is well established. The World Bank notes that for every $1 spent on education, the return could be up to $15 in economic growth. When young people acquire STEAM skills, they don’t just improve their own employability—they enhance Nigeria’s standing in the global value chain.
This initiative redefines the role of private companies in nation-building. Seplat isn’t just an oil company anymore; it’s evolving into a nation-builder, investing not just in hydrocarbons, but in human potential. That evolution signals a new era where business success is increasingly tied to social relevance.
Scaling Up, Reaching Wider
THE task ahead is daunting. Nine laboratories, while impactful, are only a drop in a very large ocean. To reach true national scale, a more robust PPP (Public-Private Partnership) framework is essential. One that includes tax incentives for education investments, matching funds, and clear evaluation metrics.
As these efforts are scaled, inclusion must remain a critical part of the drive. Historically, girls have remained underrepresented in STEAM disciplines. Future iterations of Seplat’s programs should address this through mentorship schemes, scholarships and policies that ensure access and safety for all learners.
Looking Forward
THESE labs are not the end-game—they are the opening act. They challenge policymakers, corporate leaders and educators to rethink what is possible. They inspire hope—not just in the hearts of students in Edo and Delta States, but across Nigeria.
Because in a nation as complex and promising as Nigeria, the true measure of progress should not be GDP charts or oil prices. It should be classrooms like these—where future architects, scientists and engineers are born.
Nigeria doesn’t lack potential. What the nation lacks is the scaffolding to unlock it. With Seplat’s STEAM labs, we glimpse what that scaffolding might look like—technologically equipped, locally rooted and globally aligned. If replicated, this model could recalibrate Nigeria’s education system from a relic of the past to a roadmap for the future. In these quiet rooms buzzing with energy and curiosity, Nigeria’s next big export may no longer be crude oil, but ingenuity.
