Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Limited) has expressed concern over the growing gap in access to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) education, revealing that more than 18.4 million Nigerian children remain excluded from critical learning opportunities.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Managing Director of the NNPC Foundation, Emmanuella Arukwe, raised the concern during the “Battle of the Energy Titans” awards ceremony organised in collaboration with the Oloibiri Oil and Gas Entrepreneurship Development Initiative (OLOGED) in Abuja.
Speaking on the theme, “Young Innovators Solving Energy Poverty,” Arukwe warned that the scale of the education deficit poses a major challenge to Nigeria’s ability to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the areas of energy access, innovation and economic growth.
She noted that Nigeria’s youthful population presents a unique opportunity to cultivate a generation of innovators capable of addressing energy poverty and supporting the global energy transition.
“The reality is that over 18.4 million children in Nigeria still lack access to STEAM education. That is a gap we cannot ignore,” Arukwe said.
She explained that the NNPC Foundation is investing in youth-focused programmes aimed at bridging the educational divide and preparing young Nigerians for future opportunities.
According to her, the foundation’s interventions are focused on education, health, environmental sustainability and energy access, while remaining aligned with global development targets.
Arukwe disclosed that more than 500 young people have already benefited from the foundation’s empowerment programmes, gaining skills that support both employment and entrepreneurship.
She added that initiatives such as the STEM Book Project, NYSC empowerment schemes and climate-smart agriculture training programmes are helping to build capacity and promote sustainable development.
Highlighting the impact of the “Battle of the Energy Titans” competition, Arukwe said participants showcased innovative solutions including solar-powered devices, clean cooking technologies, mini-grid systems and waste-to-energy projects.
“The competition is raising a new generation of energy entrepreneurs who are equipped with the knowledge and confidence to lead Africa’s energy future,” she said.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Sunday Asefon Dayo, represented by his Technical Assistant, Bolanle Wellington, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to youth empowerment under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He noted that energy poverty continues to affect education, productivity and economic growth but expressed confidence in the ability of young Nigerians to develop practical solutions.
“The future of Nigeria will not be built by resources alone, it will be built by the minds we prepare today,” he said.
He commended the NNPC Foundation and the OLOGED Initiative for promoting innovation, energy literacy and entrepreneurship among students.
The event also featured the unveiling of the Energy on Wheels Project, an initiative designed to bring energy education and practical demonstrations directly to schools and underserved communities.
At the competition, Government Science Secondary School, Maitama, finished third, while Nigeria-Korea Model School, Piwoyi, emerged second. Premier Academy, Lugbe, claimed the top prize, with the winning schools receiving cash rewards, including a grand prize of N1 million.
