Education

Why KFSD is Investing in Nigeria’s Future Innovators – Akinremi

Published

2 months ago

September 20, 2025

Joel Ajayi

Over 90 secondary school students have benefitted from the 2025 STEM Construction Summer Camp (SCSC), an initiative of the Kaiser Foundation for Social Development (KFSD) in partnership with GIZ, designed to inspire young Nigerians to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Speaking during the Abuja leg of the third phase of the programme, Omotara Akinremi, programme consultant for KFSD and CSR lead at Construction Kaiser Limited and Hermann E. Kaiser Limited, explained that the camp was created to revive interest in STEM while equipping students with both technical and soft skills.

“For four days, we have exposed students to the value of STEM through hands-on activities, career talks, and site visits. Many young people are no longer pursuing STEM-related careers, so we introduced this initiative to bridge the gap. Beyond STEM, we also focused on integrity, communication, and teamwork, while industry experts shared practical knowledge on masonry, carpentry, and civil engineering,” Akinremi said.

Participants also visited a construction site in Asokoro, Abuja, where they gained first-hand experience of how projects are executed. According to Akinremi, the camp has achieved its objectives, as students left with new knowledge, confidence, and motivation to pursue STEM.

This year’s programme, held in Jos and Abuja, trained a total of 95 students — 30 each in the first two phases and 35 in Abuja. To ensure continuity, KFSD and GIZ plan to establish STEM clubs in schools, with private sector mentors supporting students through consistent engagement.

Akinremi further noted that KFSD tracks past participants through their university years and even provides scholarships for outstanding students. She highlighted the case of an alumna, now a lawyer, who recently shared on LinkedIn how the camp shaped her career journey.

Fifteen-year-old Etefia Esther Godwin from Government Science and Technical College, Garki, described the camp as “exciting and inspiring.”

She said: “The programme taught me how to pursue my dreams and not be afraid of challenges. We also learned practical skills, made new friends, and visited real construction sites. I want to thank KFSD and GIZ for organising this programme because it has truly inspired us.”

Now in its third phase, the SCSC continues to prove how industry, development partners, and schools can work together to nurture Nigeria’s next generation of innovators, builders, and problem-solvers.

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Education

Onyechi Vows to Advance Educational Reforms as She Joins Nigerian Academy of Education

Published

4 days ago

November 12, 2025

The Gleamer

Cyril Ogar

Professor Kay Onyechi, a Professor of Guidance and Counseling at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, has pledged to intensify efforts toward educational reform following her induction into the Nigerian Academy of Education (NAE).

Onyechi, a former Commissioner for Education in Anambra State, described the recognition as a motivation to deepen her contributions to national development through research, mentorship, and advocacy for inclusive learning.

“This honour inspires me to do more. I’m already considering setting up a foundation to support indigent students with school materials, accommodation, and access to quality education,” she said.

The renowned educationist, who served under the administration of former Governor Peter Obi, said her long-standing passion for education stems from its role in capacity building and social transformation. She noted that her years in academia and public service have strengthened her resolve to promote equitable learning opportunities for all Nigerian children.

According to her, the recognition by the NAE is not merely a personal milestone but a call to greater service in advancing educational reforms and mentoring the next generation of scholars.

Meanwhile, President of the Academy, Professor Kabiru Isyaku, used the occasion of the NAE’s 40th Anniversary celebration and induction of 38 new academics to call for the declaration of a state of emergency in the nation’s education sector.

Isyaku stressed the need for an urgent review of the National Policy on Education, last revised over a decade ago. He said the review should address critical issues such as the constitutional status of education, funding, curriculum relevance, evaluation, and certification.

He decried the high number of unqualified personnel teaching in schools while many trained teachers remain unemployed, adding that the situation undermines professionalism and weakens quality.

“It is discouraging to see schools filled with non-teachers while qualified educators are jobless. Quality assurance and supervisory agencies must enforce standards to ensure only qualified personnel are employed,” he said.

Isyaku also urged the Federal Government to constitute governing boards and councils for parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Education, noting that their absence hinders effective policy implementation and accountability.

The Nigerian Academy of Education, established four decades ago, is the apex professional body for distinguished educationists in the country. It comprises eminent scholars and administrators, including former ministers, vice-chancellors, rectors, provosts, and directors of education.

The Academy’s mission is to advise on policies that enhance educational quality at all levels, conduct research on emerging issues, and promote excellence in teaching, learning, and administration.

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