The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, has voiced strong support for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education initiatives led by the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN). Speaking during an event, the Minister stressed the importance of effective technical and vocational education tailored to address the country's specific demographic challenges.
Dr. Alausa remarked that while universities continue to produce graduates, some of them struggle to secure employment. He highlighted the potential of vocational and technical education, especially in healthcare, to provide better job prospects. “If we train 1,000 nurses today or more, they will still find jobs waiting for them,” he commented.
He also emphasized the need for Nigeria's education system to prioritize lifelong learning, technological innovation, and digital transformation. “Building structures alone won’t solve our problems. With our growing population, we must educate our youth effectively and embrace technology,” he stated.
The Minister encouraged STAN to develop digital learning platforms across the country, drawing inspiration from the National Open University of Nigeria's (NOUN) online education model. He stressed that education should generate significant impact beyond physical structures. “It’s not about what happens within the buildings, but what happens afterward,” he concluded.
Professor Ben Akpan, representing STAN’s Governing Council, appealed to the Minister to support the proposed STEM center, explaining its design, operational strategies, and potential benefits for advancing science and technology education in Nigeria. He invited Dr. Alausa to attend STAN’s Annual Council Meeting, scheduled to take place at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. He also announced that the Minister would receive the STAN Fellowship Award in recognition of his significant contributions to STEM education in the country.
Earlier, Dr. Muyibat Olodo, the Director of Science and Technology, reiterated STAN's longstanding collaboration in promoting STEM education. She outlined STAN's initiatives in capacity building and sought the Minister’s support in these efforts.