The ExxonMobil Foundation, in partnership with Junior Achievement Nigeria (JA Nigeria), has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education by equipping Nigerian students with the skills needed to thrive in a technology-driven world.
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The commitment was reiterated during the STEM Africa Initiative Innovation Boot Camp held in Abuja, where educators, industry professionals, and corporate leaders highlighted the programme’s growing impact on secondary school students across the country.
The boot camp brought together 120 students from 10 secondary schools, who qualified after emerging as winners of STEM quiz competitions conducted across the Area Councils. Participants received hands-on training designed to enhance their technical knowledge, critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.
Speaking at the event, the Acting Executive Director of Junior Achievement Nigeria, Olaolu Akogun, said the initiative introduces students to practical design thinking through interactive learning experiences that challenge them to develop innovative solutions to everyday problems.
He explained that participants worked on projects such as redesigning household appliances, including refrigerators, while also engaging with professionals from ExxonMobil who shared their career journeys and provided mentorship.
According to Akogun, the programme is helping students make informed career choices by exposing them to opportunities in STEM fields and preparing them for the future workplace.
“Our partnership with the ExxonMobil Foundation is one of the key ways we empower young people. This is the third consecutive year of our collaboration, and we are excited about expanding the programme’s impact in the years ahead,” he said.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of Junior Achievement Nigeria, Simi Nwogugu, said the initiative was created to inspire young Nigerians and build their confidence through experiential learning.
She noted that beyond classroom instruction, students participated in practical design-thinking exercises and interacted with experts from various professional backgrounds within ExxonMobil, gaining valuable insights into careers in science, engineering, and technology.
“The students have been exposed to the concept of design thinking and have also interacted with professionals whose experiences have broadened their understanding of STEM careers,” she said.
The STEM Coordinator and Physics teacher at the School for the Gifted, Gwagwalada, Shodeinde Babafemi Samuel, described the boot camp as a life-changing opportunity that has significantly improved students’ academic performance and self-confidence.
He revealed that several former participants achieved exceptional scores in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), with some recording 368 and 339, attributing the success to the intensive coaching and practical learning provided through the programme.
According to him, the initiative has continued to motivate students to pursue excellence in science and technology while preparing them for higher education and future careers.
The Socio-economic Manager of Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, Nigel Cookey-Gam, said the enthusiasm displayed by participants during career sessions demonstrated a growing interest in STEM disciplines among young Nigerians.
He recalled the success story of a previous participant whose experience at the programme’s regional finals in South Africa positively transformed her academic journey.
Cookey-Gam said the STEM Africa Initiative is designed to nurture innovation, encourage creative thinking, and empower students with the knowledge and mindset required to develop practical solutions to real-world challenges.
Stakeholders at the event reaffirmed their commitment to expanding the initiative, describing STEM education as a critical driver of innovation, economic growth, and national development.
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