The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, on Thursday expressed concern that women account for solely 35 per cent of participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medical Sciences, calling for stronger efforts to encourage extra feminine college students into science and expertise fields.
Alausa stated rising women’ participation in STEMM was important to Nigeria’s future workforce, urging faculties, mentors and stakeholders to intentionally encourage feminine college students to pursue science-related careers.
The minister spoke on the Nigeria Educational Supplies Summit, themed “Resilience in Motion: Schools Leading Change,” held on the Civic Centre, Lagos.
He was represented by his Special Adviser on STEMM and Corporate Sector Engagement, Dr Adetola Salau.
STEMM is likely one of the six pillars of the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative. In 2025, the Federal Ministry of Education expanded the initiative to align training with nationwide manpower wants, notably in healthcare, engineering and expertise, by means of partnerships with tertiary establishments and the personal sector.
Alausa stated, “Girls’ participation in STEMM is presently 35 per cent. We want extra women in STEM. One of the methods you are able to do that’s by making our girl-child participation in STEM a precedence.
“I need us to have more mentors coming into schools to speak to our girls. I need us to encourage our girls to participate in STEMM during classroom activities.”
He urged faculties to not wait for very best situations earlier than implementing sensible science training, stressing that innovation typically begins with obtainable assets.
“The way forward for Nigeria will likely be formed by taking daring, sensible steps. Every time we empower academics to strive one thing new, we’re making a distinction. Every time we select to direct even a small a part of our finances to innovation, we’re making a distinction. We will not be simply operating faculties; we’re constructing futures.
“Instead of waiting for conditions to be ideal, work with what you have. With what we have, how do you improvise? I once ran a STEMM programme where we built bridges with students. I did not have sophisticated equipment. I used bottle tops, cups and brooms to teach engineering design.”
The minister disclosed that the ministry was implementing a number of STEMM programmes linked to Technical and Vocational Education and Training, including that faculties ought to place themselves to learn from Federal Government training initiatives.
“There is lots of correlation between STEMM and Technical and Vocational Education and Training. We consider our programmes month-to-month by means of suggestions on their effectiveness.
“Schools must position themselves to tap into the various initiatives of the Federal Government in education, including STEMM,” he added.
Speaking, the Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Ali-Balogun, stated innovation and collaboration remained indispensable to bettering Nigeria’s training system.
He stated, “Innovation is the fulcrum of progress and growth of any nation. For us to get it proper, we should brainstorm and give you sensible options to maneuver training ahead.
“For us to make progress in education, we need collaboration and partnership. Funding education is capital intensive. Nobody can do it alone. Even the state government recognises that fact. We need assistance from private investors and stakeholders that can support education.”
Ali-Balogun additionally confused the significance of sustainability in training insurance policies.
“It is not about formulating policies or introducing programmes that disappear after two or three years. It is about sustainability, periodic review and alignment with global best practices,” he stated.
One of the audio system on the summit, the Proprietor of Valencia Schools and Greenwood British School, Ibadan, Goodness Morakinyo, urged college homeowners to stay centered regardless of financial challenges and undertake data-driven administration.
Morakinyo stated, “Regardless of the unstable economic system, stay centered in your imaginative and prescient. Schools ought to act based mostly on knowledge. Have dad and mom in thoughts throughout strategic planning. Know your price per pupil and common assortment fee.
“Don’t do many issues directly. Simplify your techniques. Focus on teachers, workers welfare and security. Standardise your operations, empower your college heads and directors, and don’t assume solely you are able to do all of it.
“Invest in technology, invest in EdTech and train your staff to be flexible.”
Founder of Chronicles Software Development Company Limited, Oluwakoyejo Oluwatosin, stated educators should embrace synthetic intelligence by buying new abilities and repeatedly relearning.
He described AI as the way forward for training due to its capacity to ship personalised studying, urging faculties to determine AI adoption frameworks protecting coverage, trainer coaching, infrastructure, knowledge safety, evaluation integrity and human oversight.
In her personal discuss, administration marketing consultant and board member of St Saviour’s School, Ebute-Meta, Mrs Tinuke Bosun-Okusaga, suggested faculties to prioritise workers welfare by means of truthful compensation, worker recognition, teaching and mentorship.
She additionally advocated succession planning by means of expertise growth, management identification and structured management coaching.
On his personal half, the Commissioner for Education, Enugu State, Prof Ndubueze Mbah, highlighted the state’s efforts to deploy sensible faculties and synthetic intelligence applied sciences throughout the training sector.
Earlier, the convener of the summit, Mr Tayo Osiyemi, stated the gathering was designed to advertise resilient faculties able to driving innovation and sustainable change.
The occasion introduced collectively college homeowners, policymakers, educators and enterprise leaders from throughout the nation.