The NNPC E&P Limited/Seplat Energy Joint Venture (JV) recent completion of the Seplat Teachers Empowerment Programme (STEP) and Education Summit for teachers and Chief Inspectors of Education Edo and Delta states underscores its commitment to building a diverse and inclusive educational landscape in Nigeria.
The programme prioritizes empowering teachers, recognizing the crucial role a diverse and inclusive teaching workforce plays in shaping future generations.
As John Adams said, “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” By fostering a diverse teaching body, Seplat contributes to creating a learning environment that reflects the richness of Nigerian society.
Education is a cornerstone of societal progress, fostering equal opportunity for individuals of all backgrounds to thrive. However, concerning trends emerged in Nigeria. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recommends allocating 15-20% of the annual budget to education, while the 2024 allocation is 7.85%. This falls short of the federal government’s commitment to reach 25% by 2024, hindering educational progress and jeopardizing the retention of qualified teachers from diverse backgrounds.
As the United Nations emphasizes, achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 – Quality education – demands prioritizing education financing as a national investment. This includes measures like free and inclusive education, increased teacher numbers, improved infrastructure, and embracing digital transformation for all.
Investing in a diverse and inclusive teaching force alongside these measures empowers individuals from various backgrounds to become active participants in social, economic, and political spheres, contributing to a more equitable and prosperous future for Nigeria.
The culmination of Seplat Energy’s Teachers’ Empowerment Programme (STEP) and Education Summit in Benin City highlighted JV’s ongoing commitment to building a diverse and inclusive educational landscape in Nigeria. The six-month programme, held since 2019, empowers teachers from both Edo and Delta states, fostering a teaching workforce that reflects the richness of Nigerian society.
Speakers at the summit emphasized the critical role of education in national development and the need for inclusive approaches, Chioma Afe, Seplat Energy’s Director of External Affairs and Social Performance, stressed the importance of early childhood education and access for all, particularly in rural areas.
In her remarks at the summit, she stated that addressing challenges in the education value chain is important for a thriving Nigeria. “At the foundation of the education value chain lies primary and secondary education, which is crucial for laying the groundwork for future learning. However, access to quality early education, especially in rural areas, remains a challenge. This affects children’s ability to proceed to higher education or enter the workforce.”
In addition, she explained, “Addressing challenges within the education value chain is crucial for workforce development and socioeconomic growth in Nigeria. Our collective efforts are vital in building a skilled and productive workforce that can drive the nation’s growth and development in the years to come.”
She lauded the governments of Edo and Delta states for their support and urged for more collaborations between the governments and diverse stakeholders to contribute to the future of the nation.
Sam Ezugworie, Chief Operating Officer at Seplat Energy, lamented the current state of education and the negative consequences of an underprepared workforce, including capital flight for education abroad.
He said: “The country’s education system today is not where it should be, and we understand its pivotal role in development. If the youths of this country are not developed, then, there’s a problem.
“Looking at it from an economic standpoint, especially for those who can afford it, sending children abroad for education highlights our failure as a generation. This results in millions of dollars leaving the country annually for paying children’s school fees abroad.
“Before leaving the university in the late ’80s, we used to have foreign lecturers and students coming to Nigeria, but today, the situation has reversed.”
The MD, NEPL, Nicolas Foucart, represented by Mr. Uzoma Ezulu, DM Operations Mgt Seplat, NEPL, said their partnership with Seplat Energy on this initiative is a commitment to their motto which is to touch lives in many positive ways. “NEPL is very happy to be part of this movement that contributes to the society where we are getting this oil from and invests in the future of this country because without education, this country has no future,” he said.
“But when we have people like the teachers and students, I see here with so much commitment, passion and the willingness to come, sit, and learn, I have hope that things are going to turn around. You are the hope we have for this country,” he added.
Speaking on the theme, the keynote speaker, Akin-Olusoji Akinyele, the Group Managing Director NewGlobe said improved education system would accelerate the growth in GDP each year by 0.5% at the minimum. According to him, transforming the education workforce requires a holistic and collaborative approach, adding that it is a complex and multifaceted process that involves various stakeholders, strategic planning, and sustained efforts.
He added: “The Seplat and the EdoBEST examples are replicable and scalable models of private sector and public sector interventions. To achieve them at national scale requires comprehensive needs assessment to identify the strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in the current education workforce. This involves analyzing teacher skills, professional development opportunities, and the alignment of the workforce with the evolving needs of learners and society.”
Dr. Joan Ovaiwe, the Edo State Commissioner for Education, expressed satisfaction to Seplat Energy and its partners for their unwavering dedication to education in Edo and Delta states. Ovaiwe emphasized the Seplat JV impact as beneficial to the teachers in monetizing their intellect.
She also highlighted the need for an education system that produces graduates equipped to tackle various crises. “This programme also helps train teachers on how to monetize their intellect. As we all know, Nigeria’s education system is still struggling in the 21st century, stuck in colonial foundations. To move forward, we need an education system that produces graduates equipped to tackle various crises.”
Similarly, Rose Ezewu, Delta State Commissioner for Education (represented), highlighted the programme’s positive influence on students’ engagement and performance in STEAM subjects. “The impact of the teaching is evident in the increasing rate of students’ participation in science and technology competitions at local and international levels as well as their outstanding performance in STEAM-based subjects in different examinations.”
The summit showcased the programme’s success through presentations by participating teachers who crafted innovative products using recycled materials. These demonstrations exemplified the programme’s ability to equip teachers with entrepreneurial skills and foster creativity, ultimately benefiting their students.
Abioku Grammar School presented a collection of chairs and center tables ingeniously crafted from recycled tires, priced at just over fifty thousand naira per item.
Meanwhile, teachers from Fortune High School introduced a unique cleaning soap named MM2, also available for sale.
Lastly, another teacher unveiled a chandelier light that symbolizes the concept of energy, aligning with Seplat Energy’s ethos. She explained the features of each light, detailing their functionalities. She described the careful process of sourcing materials from her environment, including PVC pipes, and outlined the two-month production journey, requiring an investment of fifty thousand naira.
Uche Anajemba, Manager, Business Partnering Diversity Inclusion at Seplat Energy, emphasized the company’s commitment to fostering diversity within its ranks. Anajemba highlighted the significance of diversity to the business, saying that at Seplat Energy, the benefits of diversity are strongly advocated.
She emphasized the need to create opportunities that uplift women, and identified the two most outstanding females from the STEP programme, Irudo Esther and Christina Benson from Edo and Delta states, respectively, who were recognized and presented with gifts.
Ten more outstanding teachers were recognized. In his remarks, Francis Edeki, who was recognized as the most outstanding teacher, stated that he didn’t find teaching exciting before joining the programme but since coming for the event, he has become encouraged to follow his teaching call.
Similarly, Flora Ehimen, a teacher from Edo state, spoke to journalists on the benefits of the programme organized by the Seplat JV, stating that the knowledge she gained from the programme will be transferred to her students in Edo state.
During her vote of thanks, Beauty Atsenuwa, also a beneficiary, said the STEAM-based training provided to the teachers by the Seplat JV is invaluable and cannot be afforded with teachers’ salaries. She expressed gratitude for the rare opportunity, saying: “From what they said, if we are to pay for this, 99.9% of teachers here will not be able to afford this with the meagre salaries we are paid.
“Looking at our environment, how many organizations consider it necessary to give back to society? Seplat has given us a rare opportunity and we cannot thank them enough. I believe just as it is in my mind, the only way we can pay you back is to go back to our various schools and do the needful – impact lives, build destinies that will in turn make our nation a great place to be in.”
The panel discussants during the Education Summit also addressed the problem of out-of-school children in Nigeria. Latest data reveals a staggering 20.2 million. Commendations poured in for Seplat JV commitment to United Nations’ goal of significantly increasing qualified educators by 2030, particularly in developing nations. Since 2019, Seplat has successfully trained over 1,300 teachers in STEAM education.
Emphasizing the importance of collaboration, Seplat urges increased cooperation between the private sector, educational institutions, and government bodies. Such partnerships are crucial for aligning education with job market demands and enhancing teaching and learning standards. “Our collective efforts are vital in building a skilled and productive workforce that can drive the nation’s growth and development in the years to come,” they affirmed.
As the programme came to a close, the UN country representative, Beatrice Eyong emphasized the need to empower educators and unlock their full potential to drive positive change within their communities. The theme of the summit resonated throughout the event, solidifying Seplat JV’s dedication to building a brighter future for Nigerian education through inclusive and sustainable initiatives.
