The ExxonMobil Foundation, in partnership with Junior Achievement Nigeria (JA Nigeria), has reaffirmed its commitment to equipping young Nigerians with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills through the STEM Africa Initiative Innovation Boot Camp.
The commitment was reiterated during the programme held in Abuja, where educators and corporate leaders highlighted the initiative’s impact on preparing students for future careers.
The boot camp brought together secondary school students from across the country to equip them with technical knowledge, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing global economy.
Speaking at the event, the Acting Executive Director of Junior Achievement Nigeria, Mr. Olaolu Akogun, said 120 students from 10 secondary schools participated after emerging as winners of quiz competitions conducted across their respective Area Councils.
According to him, the students were introduced to the concept of design thinking through practical exercises, including activities that challenged them to redesign everyday products such as refrigerators.
Akogun said the participants also had the opportunity to interact with ExxonMobil professionals, who shared their personal and career experiences to help the students better understand possible career paths.“Through these engagements, the students have been inspired by the personal and career stories of the ExxonMobil professionals, giving them a better understanding of how to navigate their own career aspirations as they transition from school into the world of work.“Our partnership with the ExxonMobil Foundation is one of the key ways we reach and empower young people. We are particularly pleased that this is the third consecutive year of the partnership, and we look forward to continuing it in the years ahead while expanding its impact,” he said.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of JA Nigeria, Mrs. Simi Nwogugu, said the initiative was designed to inspire young people while equipping them with the knowledge, practical skills, and confidence needed to succeed in the global economy.
She noted that the programme exposed students to hands-on design-thinking activities and gave them the opportunity to interact with professionals from various fields within ExxonMobil, who served as mentors and shared insights from their careers.“The students have been exposed to the concept of design thinking and have also interacted with experts from different professional backgrounds,” she said.
The STEM Coordinator and Physics teacher at the School for the Gifted, Gwagwalada, Mr. Shodeinde Babafemi Samuel, described the boot camp as a life-changing opportunity that provides students with practical STEM learning beyond the classroom.
He said the school’s participation in the initiative has significantly improved students’ academic performance and confidence.
According to Shodeinde, some former participants recorded outstanding performances in the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination, scoring as high as 368 and 339.
He attributed the success to the intensive coaching and practical training provided through the partnership between JA Nigeria and the ExxonMobil Foundation, noting that the programme continues to inspire excellence among young learners.
The Socio-economic Manager of Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, Nigel Cookey-Gam, said students demonstrated strong interest during the career sessions by asking thoughtful questions that reflected a deeper understanding of STEM-related professions.
He also recalled the experience of a previous participant whose attendance at the regional finals in South Africa positively transformed her academic journey.
According to Cookey-Gam, the programme is designed to nurture innovation and equip young people with the skills and mindset needed to develop solutions to real-world challenges.
