Business
NCDMB Partners Women Engineers on STEM Education For Girls
Precious Adelola
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has partnered the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) towards promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) curricula in secondary schools across the country, with special targets for the girl child.
The partnership with the association was launched recently at St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, with the “STEMitout4girls” campaign, with the theme: Interest and Proficiency in STEM.
In his keynote address, the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, represented by the Deputy Manager, Capacity Building Division, Engr. Mofe Megbele expressed the Board’s readiness to collaborate with the association in accomplishing programmes and policies geared to promote capacity development for the female gender.
He quoted Section 70 (n) of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, which provides for the Board to conduct workshops and trainings aimed at advancing the development of Nigerian Content. He emphasized that “there is no local content without Human Capacity Development and there has been significant growth achieved through the implementation of the 10-year strategic roadmaps for the oil and gas industry to accelerate the attainment of 70 percent Nigerian Content by 2027.
He also stated that the importance of educating girls in the society cannot be overemphasized, noting that the country can only advance based on the quality of well-educated young girls. He added that an educated girl child can confront the issues facing humanities in the 21st century such as peace and security, climate change, sustainable development, food production, environmental issues.
While commending the Association, the Executive Secretary assured that the Board will continue to support, monitor, and evaluate the growth and performances of the female students benefitting from the STEM programme and competition. “I expect the students to fully apply the knowledge gained from this training to improve their performances in future examinations and competitions”.
“One short way to underpin sustainable development is to entrench quality STEM education in our girls, armed with a quality education, these girls can aspire to be whatever they want to be in the near future”, he added.
Also speaking, the President, APWEN, Engr. Elizabeth Jumoke Eterigho disclosed that the training is targeted at increasing awareness on engineering as a suitable career for girls, to improve the numerical strength of female engineers in Nigeria, adding that it also provides the girl child with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the rapidly changing world.
She admitted that there are difficulties in accessing quality learning opportunities in STEM subjects, which is why the engineering and science sectors seem to be dominated by the male gender. “Our educational system has allowed gender divides to be perpetuated and to disproportionally affect the most marginalized girls,” she regretted.
She commended the NCDMB for the partnership and presented the “Diversity Champion Award” to the Executive Secretary for his untiring efforts to promote and empower the girl child.
The NNPC Limited has raised alarm over what it described as a growing wave of fraudulent claims suggesting that the company is selling refinery scrap materials and equipment to individuals and private entities.
In a public notice by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, the company categorically dismissed the claims as false, clarifying that it has not initiated or approved any process for the sale of scrap metals, refinery components, or equipment from any of its facilities.
According to the company, it has neither issued requests for bids, tenders, nor expressions of interest relating to such transactions, contrary to information being circulated in some quarters.
More troubling, the company revealed that certain individuals have been impersonating NNPC officials, falsely presenting themselves as authorised agents to facilitate the sale of so-called refinery scrap.
ALSO READ: Why Osun is Tapping into $2 Trillion Global Creative Industry Economy
“These individuals are not authorised by NNPC Limited and are attempting to mislead members of the public,” the statement noted, highlighting the sophistication of the fraudulent scheme.
The development raises concerns about the exploitation of public trust and the potential financial risks to unsuspecting individuals and businesses.
NNPC therefore urged stakeholders, corporate organisations, and the general public to exercise vigilance and avoid engaging in any transaction linked to such claims.
“For the avoidance of doubt, NNPC Limited is not conducting, nor has it authorised, any sale of refinery scrap or equipment,” the company reiterated.
It further emphasised that any legitimate disposal of assets would be carried out through transparent, regulated processes and communicated through its official platforms.
The company also encouraged the public to report suspected fraudsters to law enforcement agencies, as part of efforts to curb the spread of such criminal activities.
NNPC reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the responsible stewardship of Nigeria’s energy assets.
The NNPC Foundation Limited/Gte, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), has won the CSR Champion Award (Health) 2025 instituted by the Independent Newspapers.
Biztellers reports that the award was presented during the Silver Jubilee edition of the Independent Newspapers Awards, themed “Game Changers: Breaking Barriers and Shaping Tomorrow,” held at Eko Hotel and Suites on Saturday, 18 April 2026.
The CSR Champion Award (Health) recognises the Foundation’s work in healthcare and its broader commitment to improving lives through social investment programmes spanning health, education, environment, and access to energy.Primary & Secondary Schooling (K-12)
The recognition follows a series of health initiatives delivered by the Foundation, including free cataract screening and surgeries that restored sight to over 6,000 Nigerians, including minors born blind; cancer and glaucoma interventions; medical outreaches to underserved communities; renovation and furnishing of three wards with 100 beds at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi; partnership and sponsorship of heart surgeries; and provision of dental health accessories to children in special schools, among others.
The NNPC Foundation noted that these results were made possible through the leadership and support of the NNPC Ltd. Management team, whose commitment has continued to strengthen the Foundation’s capacity to deliver social investments across the country.
Reacting to the award, the Managing Director of NNPC Foundation, Emmanuella Arukwe, described the recognition as a validation of the Foundation’s work and the trust placed in it by Nigerians. She noted that the award means so much to the company because it represents the confidence Nigerians have placed in its work and the value they see in purposeful social investment.
“It speaks to the resilience of the communities we serve, the dedication of our team, and the strength of partnerships that have enabled us to do meaningful work in health, education, environmental sustainability and access to energy,” she added.
In addition, Arukwe noted that “these results have also been made possible through the leadership and support of the NNPC Ltd. Management team, whose backing has been instrumental to the success of the Foundation’s work. We receive this award with gratitude, and with a renewed sense of responsibility to do more and reach further across the country.”
The NNPC Foundation Limited/Gte remains committed to advancing health interventions that improve outcomes and contribute to national development.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), through its Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI) Division, in collaboration with the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sonatrach, the Algerian National Oil Company, for cooperation in research, development, and innovation.
The agreement, signed by NNPC Ltd’s Executive Vice President, Business Services, Sophia Mbakwe, and Sonatrach’s Managing Director, Khodjah Mohamed, establishes a formal framework for joint work in research and technology exchange between the two national oil companies.
This was contained in the press statement issued on Thursday by Chief Corporate Communications Officer Mr. Andy Odeh.
According to the statement, the agreement, held during the opening ceremony of the 3rd Meeting of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) Forum for R&D Directors at the PTDF Tower in Abuja, Nigeria, brought together research and development directors from APPO member countries.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, represented by former Secretary General of APPO, Omar Farouk Ibrahim, said the forum was one of four measures introduced by APPO to address challenges from the global energy transition, which center on funding, technology, and markets.
“The R&D forum tackles technology and expertise needs, the African Energy Bank addresses funding constraints, and the Central African Pipeline System supports regional oil and gas market integration,” Lokpobiri stated.
ALSO READ: Peterside Harps on Strong Leadership at NCDMB Book Reading Series
Earlier in his remarks, Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Limited, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, represented by the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, Adedapo Segun, said research and development must form a central part of the overall strategy in the African oil and gas industry.
He called for research and development centres to function as engines of industrial competitiveness. “Collaboration in research and development is of strategic importance. The cost of innovation might be high, but the cost of obsolescence would be greater,” he stressed.
Ojulari called for a unified strategic framework through which resources could be pooled, data integrated, and risks shared across member countries.
He further urged the rapid adoption of digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and advanced engineering to improve upstream, midstream, and downstream operations.
On his part, the APPO Secretary General, Farid Ghezali, urged African petroleum-producing countries to ensure research in the oil and gas sector produced solutions that are practical and directly relevant to the continent. “We must ensure that our research delivers solutions that are practical and of direct use to Africa,” he stated.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Prof. Shu’aibu Shehu Aliyu, highlighted the value of the partnership between NNPC Limited and PTDF in supporting decarbonization and environmental protection efforts across APPO member countries.
Chief Innovation Officer of NNPC Research, Technology and Innovation and incoming Chairman of the APPO R&D Directors Forum, Rasheed Ojulari, said the forum would give immediate priority to joint programs in the core areas of upstream optimization, artificial intelligence, decarbonisation processes, and industrial systems development.
NNPC Ltd Denies Selling Refinery Scrap
Why Osun is Tapping into $2 Trillion Global Creative Industry Economy
Adeleke Justifies Osun Security Trust Fund
Dangote Refinery Showcases Power of Domestic Value Addition – Prof Ike‑Muonso
NNPC Foundation Wins CSR Champion Award (Health)
Dangote Refinery Exports 1.1bn Litres of Aviation Fuel to Europe, Supplies 95% of Nigeria’s Jet A1 – AON
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
16171 845809Howdy! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers? Im kinda paranoid about losing everything Ive worked hard on. Any recommendations? 347323
440129 821850A thoughtful opinion and ideas Ill use on my internet page. Youve clearly spent some time on this. Well carried out! 565455
170833 612742Man you legend. return see my internet site, you must get pleasure from it. 914302
71620 822417Outstanding post. I was checking constantly this blog and Im impressed! Really beneficial details specially the last part I care for such information significantly. I was seeking this specific data for a long time. Thank you and finest of luck. 741171
755484 552142I was curious if you ever thought of changing the layout of your site? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or two pictures. Maybe you could space it out better? 143405