By Ali Elias
In a move aimed at strengthening science-based education and fostering innovation among young Nigerians, the NNPC Exploration and Production Limited/Seplat Energy Joint Venture has commissioned two Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) laboratories in Edo State.
The facilities, located at Ogbe Secondary School in Oredo Local Government Area and Uselu Secondary School in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, were officially unveiled on April 8, 2026, in Benin City, as part of broader efforts to promote educational sustainability and academic excellence.
Speaking at the commissioning, the Director of External Affairs and Social Performance at Seplat Energy, Chioma Afe, disclosed that the Joint Venture has now delivered nine STEAM laboratories in Edo State, bringing the total number established across Edo and Delta States to 14.
She described the initiative as a strategic intervention designed to bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical application in Nigerian schools.
“The STEAM Lab is one where we want to further inculcate STEAM within the curriculum of basic and secondary education,” Afe said. “This allows students and teachers to practically apply the knowledge gained from various academic and training programmes.”
Afe added that the laboratories are equipped with modern facilities and powered by solar energy to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply, enabling continuous learning and experimentation.
She noted that the projects form part of the Joint Venture’s wider educational interventions, which include the Seplat Teachers Empowerment Programme, the Pearls Quiz Competition, and Access to Energy initiatives.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of NEPL, Nicolas Foucart, represented by Reginald Duke, said the laboratories were designed to nurture creativity, critical thinking, and innovation among students.
“We believe that investing in education is one of the most meaningful ways to shape the future of our young people and our nation,” he said, adding that the facilities would equip students with relevant skills required in a rapidly evolving global environment.
The Edo State Government welcomed the initiative, describing it as a milestone in the state’s education development efforts. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Edith Ebomoyi, said the laboratories represent a significant step towards improving the quality of teaching and learning.
“This is a milestone in our collective commitment to the future of education in Edo State,” she said.
A former Commissioner for Education in the state, Paddy Iyamu, commended the Joint Venture for what he described as a sustained and impactful corporate social responsibility footprint.
“This is one of the best investments any investor can make in the life of Nigerian children,” Iyamu said. “Other corporate organisations should emulate this example.”
School authorities also pledged to ensure the sustainability of the facilities. The Principal of Ogbe Secondary School, Itohanmwen Augustina, and her counterpart at Uselu Secondary School, Obaretin Osayanmo, assured stakeholders that the laboratories would be safeguarded and effectively utilised.
Stakeholders noted that private sector investment in education—particularly in STEM and STEAM disciplines—is increasingly critical as Nigeria seeks to build a knowledge-driven economy and address skills gaps in science and technology fields.
The NEPL/Seplat Joint Venture has, in recent years, positioned education as a core pillar of its social investment strategy, with a focus on developing human capital in host communities and supporting long-term national development goals.