The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transitioning the state from a consumption-based economy to a productive, innovation-driven hub through the aggressive adoption of the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) curriculum.
This strategic direction was the focal point at the second edition of the “Innovate Eko STEAM Day” held recently at Government College, Lagos, Eric-Moore.
Organized by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Basic and Secondary Education, in collaboration with the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), the event was themed “Recycle, Rethink and Innovate.” It served as a sensitization platform to integrate critical thinking and creativity into the state’s educational framework.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, emphasised that the administration is focused on nurturing a generation of students who are not only confident and courageous but capable of defining their career paths while still in school.
He noted that to achieve this, the Ministry has prioritized the recruitment of science-oriented teachers over the past three years, driven by the belief that the foundation for a technological future must be laid immediately.
Highlighting the tangible impact of these policies, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Abisola Dokunmu-Adegbite, revealed that the state has witnessed a 25 percent increase in student enrollment in STEAM subjects.
She noted that Lagos continues to dominate nationally, with students securing top positions in the National Engineers and Scientists Competition organised by the Federal Ministry of Education.
Mrs. Dokunmu-Adegbite further disclosed that in the 2024 High State Assessment, 70 percent of tracked primary school girls scored 70 percent or above in STEAM-related subjects.
She described this as a testament to the state’s success in dismantling gender barriers and actively engaging young girls as future scientists and engineers.
She added that since 2021, the state has developed over 100 student innovations ranging from green energy prototypes to AI-driven tools with about 30 percent of these projects advancing to the patent stage through funding from the Lagos State Research and Innovation Council.
She attributed these successes to the T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, which places education and technology at the heart of sustainable development.
Delivering the keynote address, renowned educationist and former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Peter Okebukola, called for a complete overhaul of teaching methods in Nigeria.
He argued that the future of African development relies on a robust STEAM ecosystem that moves away from rote learning and examination-driven systems.
Professor Okebukola challenged policymakers and educators to embrace hands-on, project-based learning.
He stressed that the integration of “Arts” into traditional STEM subjects is imperative, as it fosters the creativity and cultural relevance he described as the missing spark in Africa’s innovation engine.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Convener and Senior Special Assistant on Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Opeyemi Eniola, stated that the programme was designed to inspire creativity and celebrate student ingenuity.
He noted that the theme prioritized upcycling and environmental sustainability, encouraging students to develop practical solutions to real-world problems. The event featured panel sessions with environmental experts from the public and private sectors, further bridging the gap between classroom theory and industrial application.