A team of academics overseeing the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) initiative has called for its expansion to pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools across Nigeria to bolster the country’s technological growth.
Speaking at the presentation of the STEAM project report in Abuja yesterday, the Chairman of the Implementation Team, Professor Emerita Nwaorgu, reiterated the importance of addressing challenges facing the initiative for Nigeria to stay competitive in a science and technology-driven world.
“The integration of STEAM will foster interdisciplinary learning, critical thinking, problem-solving, and hands-on activities,” Nwaorgu said.
Nwaorgu expressed confidence that the STEAM project could enhance students’ performance in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
However, she lamented the lack of necessary support for its full implementation in Nigeria, pointing out that the project requires more prioritisation to succeed.
“When you introduce design into learning, it makes it better, and you can start teaching children at a younger age, molding them to have critical minds,” she added.
The project, which began in 2023, has been piloted in six states—Adamawa, Ebonyi, Nasarawa, Ondo, Rivers, and Sokoto—with 222 teachers selected for training.
Private schools have already adopted the STEAM initiative, while public schools are still lagging behind. The Nigerian Academy of Science, the Nigerian Academy of Letters, and the Nigerian Young Academy are collaborating with the team to integrate the initiative into school curricula and strengthen teacher capacity.
One notable achievement of the project is its inclusion in the federal government’s 2024 education roadmap, alongside a draft policy document for STEAM.
Nwaorgu recommended that the initiative be extended to the remaining 30 states, with hopes that it will improve UTME results in the pilot states.
In support, Professor Salihu Mustapha of the Nigerian Academy of Science expressed optimism about the growing awareness of STEAM education in schools, ensuring full implementation in the future.
