ExxonMobil Foundation, Pan Africare, Tech Women take Inspire Project To Lagos

As part of efforts at improving science education in Nigeria, Tech Women Association of Nigeria in collaboration with ExxonMobil Foundation and Pan Africare have launched it’s Inspire Project in Lagos.

Inspire Project which was first launched in Abuja is aimed at revolutionizing STEM education in Nigeria’s secondary schools.
It will also help in creating inclusive, innovative and sustainable STEM learning environments that not only boost academic outcomes but also inspire the next generation of Nigerian inventors and problem solvers.

Speaking at the well attended event help Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at NECA House , Plot A2, Hakeem Balogun Street, Alausa, Ikeja, Pan Africare Country Director, Dr. Patrick Adah, noted that with Nigeria facing a critical shortfall in science and technology education, reflecting in national pass rates below 50 % in core STEM subjects, the project with funding from ExxonMobil Foundation seeks to bridge the resource gap and invigorate science teaching and learning.

He noted that the project intends to empower teachers and students with innovative tools, laboratory equipment, hands – on learning and inclusive programming across six states of Abia, Bauchi, Lagos, Rivers, Kaduna and the Federal Capital Territory representing the six geo- political zones of the country.

According to him, 14 public schools across the six states will be empowered to deliver future ready education to about 700 students with 65% targeted female participation and a minimum 3% of people living with disabilities even as he expressed hope that other agencies and government will embrace the project so as to have more beneficiaries.

In her own remarks, President Tech Women Alumni Association of Nigeria, Carolyn Seaman described Inspire as a game changing project to transform the way STEM is taught in the country’s secondary schools.

She posited that what’s most exciting about the project is that it’s not an intervention that is only providing training and tools but a combination of providing game changing science and education tools and building the capacity of teachers to use those tools to transform the way they teach STEM subjects

“The project is not something that’s happening in one community or one state. It cuts across the whole Nigeria. So, to some extent, kids across the country will be experiencing the project and hopefully, we’ll have many phenomenal young Engineers, young innovators and young STEM professionals who will emerge from this project

” It’s equally important to state that STEM is not something that’s abstract, it’s something you can experience and internalize in everyday working environment and that way we can have true professionals who will transform the way STEM is taught in our schools”, she explained.

Making his own contribution, Babatunde Aliyu, HR Director, Africa and Middle East , ExxonMobil expressed delight with the project which he said will go a long way in transforming technology innovation in the country

Aliyu noted that ExxonMobil Foundation whose objective is to advance education is partnering with the duo to actualize the growth of science, technology and mathematics across states of the Federation just as he stated that they’re also investing heavily in the training of science teachers.

Amodu Odumoyiwa Director School Admin Education District Vi while expressing happiness with the project was of the view that it will go a long way in enhancing teaching and learning in secondary schools in the state just as he commended the two schools that were selected for the gift Inspire box that contains science tools for being lucky to be chosen.

The Director, assured that the Lagos State Government and Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education will continue to partner with organisations that will help in lifting the standard of science education in the state

Earlier in her speech, the acting Consul General of the United States, JoEllen Gorg described the project as necessary in driving the country’s technology; saying that the organisers must be commended for the noble initiative which will help in making the teaching and learning of science subjects very easy.

Highlight of the launch was the donation of Inspire box which is a comprehensive STEM tool kit to two secondary schools in Lagos namely; Omole Junior Grammar School and Agidingbi Senior Grammar School.

The Inspire box contain science tools such as; 3D printers, robotics kits, laptops, junior science kits, senior science kits and augmented reality learning devices.

The event attracted top government officials from the Lagos Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, science teachers, students and stakeholders.