Education

Stop Discouraging Girls from Science, Engineering Courses Group Warns Parents

Published

5 years ago

February 20, 2022

Ekenedilichukwu Okolie

The STEM Damsel Network has warned Nigerian parents against the girl child gender stereotypes and cultural practices that could threaten their future careers.

The non-governmental organisation said discouraging the girls from studying courses in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, could have negative impacts in their careers.

It insisted that doing so could adversely affect their careers in the future.

The Founder of the group, Ekenedilichukwu Okolie, gave the warning in a statement made available to our correspondent in Abuja on Saturday.

She condemned the socio-cultural challenges facing the girl child, especially in Africa.

She said the STEM Damsel Network had restated the campaign during a One-Day Sensitisation for Girls in Secondary Schools in Abuja it organised to commemorate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.’

Okolie said that the event was aimed at sensitising female students on careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

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She said it was also aimed at encouraging investments in teacher training, inspiring parents to sponsor their girls to study STEM-related courses as well as boosting self-confidence and esteem of the girls.

She added that the event was attended by over 150 students along with teachers, parents and volunteers.

Part of the statement read, “In Nigeria, like other parts of sub-Saharan Africa, there is a wide gender gap in STEM. Gender stereotypes, cultural norms and lack of mentorship are some of the factors that continually dampen the interest of girls in STEM, resulting in low representation of women in STEM careers.

“However, with the 4th Industrial Revolution, the reality of the post-COVID ‘New Normal,’ digitalisation and globalisation; all of these trends have sparked radical shifts in how we live and work.

” The jobs of the future will be driven by technology and innovation; and careers in STEM offers so much more for our girls, especially economic empowerment which will help us towards achieving most of the sustainable development goals.

“Therefore, denying girls the opportunities to study STEM-related courses reduces their chances of securing better jobs in the future, thereby perpetuating poverty amongst women.

“As part of our Sustainability Plan, we unveiled The STEM Damsel Mentorship Clinic which is built on a research-based strategic teaming model to increase the likelihood that participating students will pursue STEM careers as well as expose the young girls to female STEM Mentors and professionals.

“We intend to work in partnership with educators, government agencies and corporate organisations as we continue to sensitise our young girls/parents on career opportunities in STEM through advocacy and teachers training.”

The statement further quoted the Lead Consultant, Market3 Consulting, Enoch Haruna, to have stated that “STEM is the future and not just the future.”

Haruna reportedly said, “The highest paid jobs are STEM-based and are also the highest in demand. Therefore, one of the tactics to end the poverty cycle within communities and the nation at large will be to ensure that our women are equipped to compete in STEM careers as we all agree that with women in STEM, we open up the science space for women at the apex.

A self-esteem advocate, Ejiro Alechenu, was also quoted to have encouraged young girls on the need to be self-aware, observant and conscious mentally, physically, negatively and positively.

“This is very important for the girls even in their STEM journey as it impacts how they see themselves and how they grow to be confident even in a male-dominated space,” he said.

The Founder and Creative Director, Tristetix, Dahlia Akhaine, also spoke on sustainable future, the skills needed to build a sustainable future through STEM-strong leadership skills, coding skills, data management skills, communication skills, relationship building skills and long term thinking skills.

The Proprietress, Seed of Greatness and Excellence Academy, Rev. Mrs. Agboola, reiterated the need for continuous STEM education not only for our girls but also for parents/guardians, communities and the society at large.

This, she said, would help break the stereotypes and cultural norms that have consistently dampened the interest of girls in STEM.

Thisday

Related Topics:Courses Discouraging Engineering girls parents Science

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Education

Cross River Seals 58 Schools in Crackdown on Unapproved Education Centres

Published

24 hours ago

October 10, 2026

Trends Admin

Cross Rivers Commissioner for Education, Stephen Odey

Cross River Seals 58 Schools in Crackdown on Unapproved Education Centres

The Cross River State Government has shut down 58 unapproved schools in an intensified statewide crackdown on institutions operating without the mandatory Approval to Operate (ATO), warning proprietors against reopening without official authorisation.

The enforcement exercise, being conducted by the state Ministry of Education through its Department of Quality Assurance, targets schools that have failed to meet the regulatory requirements for operating nursery, primary and secondary educational institutions.

The Commissioner for Education, Stephen Odey, said the exercise was aimed at enforcing education standards, protecting pupils and students, and ensuring that schools operate within the state’s approved regulatory framework.

The government said the inspections would continue across Cross River State’s 18 local government areas as authorities work to identify unapproved institutions and ensure compliance with existing regulations.

Odey warned that schools sealed during the operation must not resume activities until they have obtained the necessary approval from the relevant authorities. He also cautioned proprietors against violating closure orders, saying offenders could face further sanctions.

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According to the state government, the enforcement campaign is not intended to victimise school owners but to ensure that all educational institutions meet the minimum requirements for safe and effective teaching and learning.

Among the schools identified in the government’s October 10 announcement were Impact Group of Schools, Gospel Beacon Academy and Divvy Bliss Schools in Calabar Municipality.

Others included Warriors Seed Academy, Children of Promise Christian School and Future Amazing International Schools in Calabar South.

In Odukpani Local Government Area, the government listed De-Royal Academy School, Maria Assumpta Nursery/Primary School and Success Kids Nursery/Primary School among the affected institutions.

Five schools were also identified in Akamkpa Local Government Area: Creative Brain International School, St. Luck’s Anglican Nursery/Primary School, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Hot Brain Academy and Armour Christian International School.

The latest closures followed earlier enforcement exercises announced by the government during the week. On October 9, authorities reported identifying 15 schools operating without approval in Calabar Municipality, Odukpani and Yakurr. On October 8, another nine schools were reported shut in Calabar Municipality, while 14 schools were identified in Calabar South on October 7.

The successive operations form part of the government’s effort to strengthen school regulation and quality assurance across the state. However, the individual batches should not be added together without a consolidated list confirming that no school has been counted more than once.

The government has urged proprietors of affected schools to approach the appropriate authorities to regularise their operations and obtain the necessary approvals before reopening.

Parents and guardians have also been encouraged to verify the approval status of schools attended by their children to ensure that the institutions comply with the state’s requirements.

The closures could disrupt learning for pupils and students whose schools have been affected, particularly where families need to find alternative institutions. The government has not provided a consolidated public list of all 58 schools in the reports reviewed or announced a common reopening date for the affected institutions.

The crackdown follows an earlier warning issued by the state government in August 2025, when it announced plans to close unapproved nursery, primary and secondary schools from September of that year.

The state government has maintained that compliance with school approval requirements is necessary to uphold educational standards and ensure that institutions operate within the law.

Cross River Seals 58 Schools in Crackdown on Unapproved Education Centres

Education

FG Releases Eight-Month Arrears After SSANU Strike Threat

Published

4 days ago

October 7, 2026

Trends Admin

FG Releases Eight-Month Arrears After SSANU Strike Threat

The Federal Government has released eight months’ salary arrears owed members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), less than 48 hours after the union issued a 14-day ultimatum threatening an indefinite strike.

SSANU had issued the ultimatum over the implementation of the 2026 FGN/SSANU Agreement and demanded payment of outstanding entitlements, warning that failure to act would lead to a “total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action.”

The union’s demands included payment of outstanding Consolidated University Teaching and Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTTA) arrears calculated from January 1, 2026.

It also demanded payment of two months’ salaries withheld during the 2022 industrial action, as well as one-year arrears arising from the approved 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increases.

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Confirming the release, SSANU National President, Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, said members would begin receiving alerts reflecting the payment.

Ibrahim commended the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, for intervening in the matter and facilitating the release of the funds.

However, the payment does not resolve all of the union’s outstanding demands. SSANU has maintained that the government must settle the remaining arrears and ensure full implementation of the 2026 agreement.

The development has nevertheless eased an immediate threat of disruption in the Nigerian university system, coming just days after the union warned of a nationwide industrial action.

SSANU has urged affected members to liaise with their respective university managements to ensure that the released funds are properly and promptly paid.

The latest development comes amid continuing concerns over university workers’ salaries, arrears and welfare, as well as the implementation of agreements between the Federal Government and university-based unions.

FG Releases Eight-Month Arrears After SSANU Strike Threat

Education

Why JAMB Is Taking UTME To Canada — Registrar Explains

Published

5 days ago

October 6, 2026

Trends Admin

JAMB Registrar Professor Segun Aina

Why JAMB Is Taking UTME To Canada — Registrar Explains

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has explained why it is taking the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to Canada, saying the move is aimed at expanding access to Nigerian tertiary education rather than making money.

JAMB Registrar, Professor Segun Aina, said the board is working to establish a UTME examination centre in Ottawa, Canada, from 2027 to enable eligible Nigerians living in Canada and other parts of North America to sit the examination without travelling to Nigeria solely for the exercise.

The planned centre followed Aina’s visit to the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa, where discussions were held on arrangements for conducting the examination.

JAMB said the initiative is part of its effort to make the Nigerian university admission system more accessible to Nigerians in the diaspora, particularly those seeking admission into universities and other tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

“For Nigerians in Canada, the UTME is coming closer to home,” the board said while announcing the plan.

However, the decision has generated questions over the likely number of candidates who would use the centre and whether establishing an examination facility in Canada would be financially viable.

Responding to such concerns, Aina said the number of candidates was not the primary consideration for establishing foreign examination centres.

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He explained that JAMB currently conducts the UTME in about 10 foreign countries as a service to improve access to education, adding that the board also conducts examinations in correctional service centres for the same reason.

According to the registrar, Nigerians relocate abroad for different reasons, while children of Nigerian public servants posted overseas may also need to sit the UTME without returning to the country specifically for the examination.

Aina said the absence of a JAMB examination centre in North America had previously made it difficult for prospective candidates in the region to participate in the UTME locally.

He added that JAMB does not necessarily need to acquire or rent a permanent building or employ a new workforce to establish the Ottawa centre.

The registrar explained that the board works with Nigerian diplomatic missions in countries where it conducts overseas examinations, using temporary spaces within high commission premises and relying on diplomatic mission staff to assist with the exercise.

Aina also said no money had been spent on the proposed Canadian centre so far.

He explained that his visit to Canada coincided with a conference and that he used the opportunity to initiate discussions with the Nigerian High Commission about the proposed examination arrangement.

JAMB‘s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, also defended the initiative, saying more than 100 prospective candidates in Canada had already indicated interest in sitting the examination there.

The proposed Ottawa centre is expected to serve eligible Nigerians in Canada as well as those in other parts of North America who wish to gain admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.

JAMB said the move would reduce the barriers faced by Nigerians abroad and strengthen their connection with the country’s education system.

The board also said the initiative would provide an opportunity to showcase Nigerian tertiary education internationally and create more pathways for Nigerians in the diaspora to pursue higher education in Nigeria.

The proposed JAMB Canada centre is expected to commence operations with the 2027 UTME.