Seplat: Securing Future of Education Through Teacher Empowerment

Seplat Energy recently concluded this year’s edition of the Teachers’ Empowerment Programme in Benin City to underscore its commitment to sustainable development and education in Nigeria. Uchechukwu Nnaike reports

In today’s ever-changing world, education has become a requisite factor for the progress of nations. However, there are a number of factors limiting the actualisation of this goal in Nigeria. 

Latest data from UNESCO, in collaboration with the Global Education and Monitoring Report, reveals staggering statistics: Nigeria’s out-of-school children now number 20.2 million, a stark contrast to the long-standing figure of 10.5 million.

UNICEF further underscores the gravity of the situation, reporting that one in three Nigerian children is deprived of education, amounting to 10.2 million at the primary level and 8.1 million at the junior secondary level. Alarmingly, one out of every five out-of-school children globally resides in Nigeria.

According to a recommendation by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Nigeria should allocate between 15 per cent to 20 per cent of its annual budget to the education sector, but successive governments have not met the recommendation.

An analysis of the 2024 education budget indicates that the government allocated N2.18 trillion, constituting only 7.85 per cent of the N27.5 trillion budget for the fiscal year.

This assessment highlights a deviation from the federal government’s commitment to increasing the education budget to 25 per cent by 2024. Such an increase would have been instrumental in aligning with global standards, enhancing the quality of learning, and retaining the best hands within the education system.

Also, as stated by the United Nations, delivering on Sustainability Development Goal 4, which focuses on quality education, necessitates making education financing a national investment priority.

Furthermore, measures such as making education free and compulsory, increasing the number of teachers, improving basic school infrastructure, and embracing digital transformation are essential.

Knowledge and education are key factors in youths’ full and effective participation in social, economic, and political development.

Since 2019, Seplat Energy, in partnership with its senior collaborator, NNPC, has redoubled its efforts to support and empower teachers, aligning with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 4C. This goal aims for a significant increase in the number of qualified educators by 2030, emphasising international cooperation for teacher training, particularly in developing nations, least developed countries, and small island developing states.

The Seplat’s summit theme, ‘Transforming the Education Workforce, a Critical Success Factor to Nation-building’, highlighted the objective of the five-month-long training. Seplat has held this initiative since 2019.

In essence, the summit serves as the culmination of a transformative educational experience for teachers in Edo and Delta.

The Director of External Affairs and Social Performance, Chioma Afe, stated that at the foundation of the education value chain “lies primary and secondary education, which is crucial for laying the groundwork for future learning.”

However,” she noted, “access to quality early education, especially in rural areas, remains a challenge. This affects children’s ability to proceed to higher education or enter the workforce.”

She explained that addressing challenges within the education value chain is crucial for Nigeria’s workforce development and socio-economic growth. 

“Our collective efforts are vital in building a skilled and productive workforce that can drive the nation’s growth and development in the years to come,” she stressed.

She commended the governments of Edo and Delta for their support and called for more collaborations between the governments and various entities to contribute to the future of the nation.

Seplat’s Chief Operating Officer, Sam Ezugworie, shed light on the current state of education, saying, “The country’s education system today is not where it should be, and we understand its pivotal role in development. If the youths of this country are not developed, then, there’s a problem.

“Looking at it from an economic standpoint, especially for those who can afford it, sending children abroad for education highlights our failure as a generation. This results in millions of dollars leaving the country annually for paying children’s school fees abroad.”

He added, “Before leaving the university in the late ’80s, we used to have foreign lecturers and students coming to Nigeria, but today, the situation has reversed.”

The MD of NEPL, Nicolas Foucart, said the organisation’s partnership with Seplat Energy on this initiative is a commitment to its motto, which is to touch lives in many positive ways. 

Foucart said, “NEPL is very happy to be part of this movement that contributes to the society where we are getting this oil from and invests in the future of this country because, without education, this country has no future.

“But when we have people like the teachers and students, I see here with so much commitment, passion and the willingness to come, sit, and learn, I have hope that things are going to turn around. You really are the hope we have for this country.”

Speaking on the theme, the keynote speaker, Akin-Olusoji Akinyele, the Group Managing Director of NewGlobe, said an improved education system would accelerate yearly GDP growth by 0.5 per cent at the minimum.

Akinyele said transforming the education workforce requires a holistic and collaborative approach, describing it as a complex and multifaceted process involving various stakeholders, strategic planning, and sustained efforts.

He said: “The Seplat and the EdoBEST examples are replicable and scalable models of private sector and public sector interventions. To achieve them at national scale requires comprehensive needs assessment to identify the strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in the current education workforce. This involves analysing teacher skills, professional development opportunities, and the alignment of the workforce with the evolving needs of learners and society.”

The Commissioner for Education in Edo, Dr. Joan Ovaiwe, lauded Seplat Energy and its partners for their unwavering dedication to education in Edo and Delta, noting that Seplat’s impact benefits the teachers in monetising their intellect.

She also highlighted the need for an education system that prepares graduates to tackle various crises. “Being a teacher, especially in today’s public schools, is not easy.

Ovaiwe said, “I was pleased to hear that majority of the teachers in this programme are from Edo state, and that the programme also helps train them on how to monetise their intellect. As we all know, Nigeria’s education system is still struggling in the 21st century, stuck in colonial foundations. 

“To move forward, we need an education system that produces graduates equipped to tackle various crises.”

Delta’s Commissioner for Education, Rose Ezewu, through her representative, lauded the joint venture between Seplat and NNPC, saying that the training has been impactful on the students whose interest and participation are on the rise resulting from the empowerment of their teachers in STEAM-based curricula.

“The impact of the teaching is evident in the increasing rate of students’ participation in science and technology competitions at local and international levels, as well as their outstanding performance in STEAM-based subjects in different examinations,” stated Ezewu.

The summit’s highlight was the presentation of products handcrafted by participating teachers from three different schools. 

Abioku Grammar School presented a collection of chairs and centre tables ingeniously crafted from recycled tyres, priced at just over N50,000 per item.

Meanwhile, teachers from Fortune High School introduced a unique cleaning soap named MM2, which is available at N300.

Another teacher unveiled a chandelier light that embodies the concept of energy, aligning with Seplat Energy’s ethos. She explained the features of each light, detailing their functionality. Remarkably, one light operates with a lithium battery, automatically activating when the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) light goes off. Another utilises both PHCN light and solar power, doubling as a power bank for mobile devices. She described the meticulous process of sourcing materials from the surrounding environment, including PVC pipes, and outlined the two-month creation journey, requiring an investment of N50,000.

The event organisers announced two outstanding women and ten outstanding teachers, respectively.

Francis Edeki, recognised as the most outstanding teacher, stated that he didn’t find teaching exciting before joining the programme, but since coming for the event, he became encouraged to follow his teaching call.

Similarly, Flora Ehimen, a teacher from Edo state, said the knowledge she gained from Seplat will be transferred to her students.

Another beneficiary, Beauty Atsenuwa, said the STEAM-based training is expensive, and teachers could not have afforded it with their salaries without Seplat’s sponsorship. She thanked the organisation for the rare opportunity.

“Looking at our environment, how many organisations will think it necessary to give back to society? Seplat, you are too much. You’ve given us a rare opportunity, and we cannot thank you enough,” Atsenuwa explained. “And I believe, just as it is in my mind, the only way we can pay you back is to go back to our various schools and do the needful: impact lives and build destinies that will, in turn, make our nation a great place to be, in.”

Since its launch in 2019, Seplat has successfully trained and certified over 1,300 teachers in STEAM subjects across Edo and Delta. The energy company remains committed to fostering the growth of its STEP CSR initiative.

Emphasising the importance of collaboration, Seplat urges increased cooperation between the private sector, educational institutions, and government bodies. Such partnerships are crucial for aligning educational offerings with job market demands and enhancing teaching and learning standards. 

“Our collective efforts are vital in building a skilled and productive workforce that can drive the nation’s growth and development in the years to come,” the company said. 

As the programme came to a close, the UN country representative stated that “the theme of this year’s summit speaks to the heart of the matter. Educators are the architects of our future, and it is imperative to provide for them the support and resources they need to thrive in their roles. By doing this, we can unlock the full potential of our educational workforce and power them to drive positive change within their communities.”