TotalEnergies, NNPC Commission Five-Laboratory STEM Complex at Kuje School

Facility designed to strengthen practical science education and extend STEM learning to neighbouring schools

Government Secondary School, Kuje, in the Federal Capital Territory, has received a major boost to its science education programme following the commissioning of a fully equipped five-laboratory science complex by TotalEnergies Upstream Nigeria Limited (TUPNI), the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and their co-venturers.

The facility, developed in partnership with CNOOC, SAPETRO and Meren, is expected to transform the way science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects are taught and learned in the school by providing students with regular access to functional laboratory equipment and practical learning sessions.

Commissioned on Wednesday as part of the companies’ broader education support initiatives, the complex is intended to bridge the gap between classroom theory and practical experimentation, giving students the opportunity to observe scientific principles in action and develop stronger problem-solving and analytical skills.

The project also seeks to extend the benefits beyond Government Secondary School, Kuje, with plans for the institution to serve as a resource centre for neighbouring secondary schools in the area.

‘Laying foundation for future success’

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the managing director/CEO and country chair of TotalEnergies Upstream Nigeria Limited, Matthieu Bouyer, said the project was conceived to raise the standard of science education available to students in Kuje and surrounding communities.

Bouyer, who was represented at the event by the acting general managing director, Corporate Social Responsibility, TUPNI, Moyosola Areola, said the facility would enhance teaching and learning outcomes while helping students develop the knowledge and practical skills needed for future careers.

He said the investment was aligned with Goal 4 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities.

According to him, improving access to quality education remains an important part of TotalEnergies’ contribution to the development of communities in Nigeria.

The Kuje project forms part of a wider education investment portfolio by TotalEnergies in the country. The company has also donated geoscience resources to six Nigerian universities — the University of Lagos, Federal University of Technology Akure, University of Ilorin, University of Ibadan, University of Port Harcourt and University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Bouyer also highlighted the company’s scholarship programmes, including the National Merit Scholarship Scheme, which has benefited more than 30,000 students since its introduction in 2003.

The TotalEnergies International Scholarship, jointly sponsored with NNPC and its partners, has supported more than 170 Nigerians undertaking postgraduate studies outside the country, while the Community Scholarship Scheme, which dates back to 1973, has benefited hundreds of students in host communities nationwide.

Another initiative cited was the Empowering The Teachers (ETT) fellowship, launched in 2011 to provide African academics in science and engineering disciplines with immersive, semester-long exposure to advanced teaching methodologies, mentorship and coursework at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States.

NNPC urges students to make use of facility

Also speaking at the event, the acting chief upstream investment officer, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Olanrewaju Igadan, described the project as a demonstration of resilience, partnership and a shared commitment to the transformative power of education.

Igadan said NNPC’s commitment to sustainable development goes beyond its core oil and gas operations, extending to investments in people, communities and institutions.

He commended TUPNI for its partnership throughout the project, while also recognising the contributions of consultants, contractors, community leaders, school authorities, teachers and students who played roles in bringing the facility to completion.

Turning his attention to the students, Igadan urged them to regard the new laboratories as an opportunity to explore, experiment and develop their interest in STEM disciplines.

The facility, he stressed, “belongs to you.”

He encouraged the students to use the laboratories to ignite their curiosity, deepen their knowledge and pursue excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Igadan also urged the school management and host community to take ownership of the facility and ensure that it is properly maintained.

According to him, protecting and maintaining public infrastructure such as the laboratories would ensure that the investment continues to serve students for years to come.

Five laboratories for practical learning

The new science complex comprises five specialised laboratories dedicated to chemistry, physics, biology, agriculture and home economics.

Each laboratory has dedicated storage space and an office for subject teachers, while the science laboratories are stocked with reagents, apparatus and subject-specific equipment.

The facilities are also fitted with wash-hand basins and taps to support practical experiments and promote appropriate laboratory hygiene and safety.

Project organisers said the complex was designed to address several critical needs in science education, particularly the need to move students beyond theoretical instruction to practical experimentation.

By allowing students to conduct experiments and interact directly with laboratory equipment, the project is expected to improve their understanding of scientific concepts and encourage sustained interest in STEM subjects.

Beyond its immediate impact on students at Government Secondary School, Kuje, the organisers envision the school becoming a hub where students from neighbouring secondary schools can also access practical science education.

For the students of Kuje, the new laboratories represent more than new buildings and equipment. They provide an opportunity to experience science as a practical discipline — one that can be explored, tested and applied — while potentially opening new pathways into careers in science, engineering, technology, agriculture and other technical fields.

The initiative also underscores the growing role of partnerships between government, industry and local institutions in expanding access to quality education and building the human capital required for Nigeria’s future development.