In a decisive move to secure Nigeria’s economic future and position its youth for global competitiveness, the House of Representatives has adopted a crucial motion calling for the urgent acceleration and strengthening of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and training programs across the country.
The motion, sponsored by Hon. Canice Moore Chukwugozie Nwachukwu, highlights the critical role STEM education plays in equipping children and youth with the 21st-century skills, knowledge, and competencies required to thrive in a rapidly changing global economy.
Aligning seamlessly with the 10th Assembly’s Legislative Agenda, which prioritizes youth development, innovation, and sustainable development, the House expressed deep concern over the persistent challenges facing Nigeria’s education sector. These hurdles include outdated curricula, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to quality training programs, particularly in underserved and rural communities.
Hon. Nwachukwu stated that “By strengthening STEM education, Nigeria can unlock the full potential of its massive human capital. We must foster critical and scientific thinking, drive domestic innovation, and secure a prosperous future for generations to come. Empowering our youth with technology is the key to unlocking jobs, economic growth, and social advancement.”
To move from rhetoric to impactful action, the House of Representatives passed a series of robust resolutions aimed at overhauling the nation’s STEM ecosystem:
The House urged the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) to accelerate investments in modern laboratories, ICT facilities, and advanced learning resources, giving students vital hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies.
The Federal Ministries of Education, and Innovation, Science and Technology were urged to prioritize continuous professional development for educators. Furthermore, they are to review and align current STEM curricula with international standards to foster creativity and problem-solving.
The government, private sector, and stakeholders are encouraged to expand extracurricular STEM programs, robotics competitions, and science initiatives to inspire youth outside the traditional classroom setting.
Demonstrating its commitment to swift implementation, the House has mandated a joint coalition of committees, including University Education, Federal Polytechnics and Higher Education, Basic Education and Services, Science and Technology, TETFUND, and Legislative Compliance, to monitor and ensure total compliance with these resolutions. The committees are expected to report back to the House within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.
This landmark motion marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward building a tech-driven economy, signaling a unified legislative front to empower the next generation of Nigerian innovators, scientists, and engineers.
