FEC Approves One Million Science Textbooks for Secondary Schools

REPORT, NIGERIA NEWS 247 – On Wednesday, the Federal Executive Council approved the printing of 1 million science textbooks to be distributed to all public secondary schools across Nigeria. The initiative aims to address deficiencies in critical subjects, including physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, and computer science.

The announcement was made by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, who explained that the program targets key areas where students struggle academically. This initiative follows a memo presented by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, on behalf of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF).

Ekpo highlighted that the initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance Nigeria’s capacity in engineering and technology, enabling the country to keep pace with global developments. The textbooks will be distributed to 774 local government areas, 104 unity schools, and 122 special schools throughout the nation.

“This program, called the PTDF STEM Fund, is designed to build capacity in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry,” Ekpo stated. “We sought presidential approval to print these textbooks to support science education, particularly in areas where we identified deficiencies.”

He emphasized the importance of strengthening education at the secondary school level as a foundation for Nigeria’s future. “To compete globally, we need to build capacity at this crucial stage,” he said.

Lokpobiri added, “This initiative will not only provide textbooks but also includes plans to establish digital and physical libraries in approximately 1,000 secondary schools across the country. This effort is essential for laying a solid foundation for technological and engineering development in Nigeria.”

The council’s approval reflects a commitment to improving educational resources and enhancing the quality of science education in Nigerian schools, ultimately aiming to boost the country’s capacity for innovation and development in the future.