Expert Applauds Seplat’s Support for Education, Teachers Empowerment

Eromosele Abiodun

A Professor of Corporate Governance at the Lagos Business School (LBS), Prof Fabian Ajogwu SAN, has applauded Seplat Energy Plc role in funding the education in Nigeria adding that he is of firm belief that education has a cost that somebody must bear.

Ajogwu, who is also an Independent Non-Executive Director of Seplat Energy Plc noted also that cost of education is either borne by the student through college loans as is done in the United States or by the community as was the case in the post-colonial era or by the government through subsidies or by corporate initiatives.

Speaking on; “Harnessing the Role of Technology in Nigeria’s Education Sector,” at the 2022 Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC)/Seplat Energy education roundtable and Seplat Teachers Empowerment Programme (STEP) award ceremony held in Benin City, Edo State, Ajogwu said, “What must be avoided is to live in denial of the fact that education has a cost.”

He said: “If we do not fund education, we will pay for it in one way or the other either through strike actions that prolong the set time for academic pursuits or we get substandard education, a big risk on its own. All of these disempower citizens ultimately.”

He told the audience at the event that Seplat Energy Plc has successfully written the cheque for cost of education through the Seplat Teachers Empowerment Programme (STEP) programme.

Seplat Energy Plc implements educational programmes aimed at supporting Nigeria’s effort towards attaining Goal 4 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for inclusive and equitable quality education.

In Nigeria, there is a gap between schools in the urban areas and those in the rural areas, between private schools and government-owned schools, between well-funded schools and those pretentiously “funded”.

The gaps manifest in the quality of the output (graduates), the student to teacher ratio, access to modern curriculum, global acceptance (of the lack thereof) of certifications and certificates, etc.

“Although education at this most basic level is the primary responsibility of government, it is a fact that this is far more than the government alone can cope with, hence the importance of private sector-led initiatives to support education, such as the Seplat Teachers Empowerment Programme (STEP). I must pause and commend Seplat Energy Plc for the STEP initiative.

“In supporting teachers and providing them with the necessary tools and enhanced skills, they are given the key to reach and teach more based on today’s needs. The STEP initiative is worthy of emulation across different states and by other corporates to be able to create the desired impact and leapfrog Nigeria to the next level of education.

Technology, where properly and timeously deployed saves overall costs and bridges the affordability divide for users of educational services. We can leverage the experiences of other jurisdictions and learn from their success stories,” Ajogwu stated.

“I commend Seplat for its energies and time commitment of senior executives in highlighting the importance of education in Nigeria’s development as well as the importance of harnessing technology in pursuit of the education sector. I dare say that this is an ongoing discussion but what is important is the implementation of the resolutions and plans concerning the STEP programme.

“The Seplat Teachers Empowerment Program (STEP) is a proactive step to include technology in Nigeria’s Education Sector. It should realise some of the benefits of technology in our education system and provide authentic learning experiences that will enhance the Nigerian education system,” Ajogwu said at the event.

He further noted that: “In bridging the digital divide between our country and others in the more advanced world, it is important to harness technology in creating an equitable playing ground for students in Nigeria. This would help them compete globally. The use of technology should be built into regulatory requirements for teaching and learning at all levels.”

“Nigeria needs a framework for attracting investments in the education sector and paying the right cost of education. Our teachers need to be well paid, well-trained, and motivated to be able to drive the transformation in education. Harnessing technology for education should go beyond new resources and equipment, to regular assessment of the impact and effectiveness of their deployment, ”Ajogwu stated.