As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, the NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL)/Seplat EnergyJoint Venture has trained 623 teachers and education inspectors from the 2026 Seplat Teachers Empowerment Programme (STEP) in Edo and Delta State.
The management of the organisations disclosed this at the graduation of the teachers in Benin City.
Chioma Afe, Director, External Affairs and Social Performance at Seplat Energy, said the training and graduation were geared towards reinforcing and strengthening teacher capacity across the two host States.
Afe explained that STEP launched in 2020 had trained 1,957 educators, combining STEAM-focused pedagogy, digital literacy, leadership development, and mentorship to improve instructional quality across host communities.
She, however, urged the teachers to carry their renewed skills and confidence into their classrooms. “Teach, inspire and transform is not a slogan—it is a responsibility.
In his remarks, Nicolas Foucart, Managing Director, NEPLC, described STEP as a partnership delivering meaningful social impact.
Foucart represented by Oluwaseyi Orimoloye added that the programme equips teachers with critical thinking, leadership skills, and technology-enabled learning tools.
On his part, the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, represented by Emmanuel Okoebor, Commissioner for Finance noted that the STEP programme’s alignment with the State’s education agenda
Also speaking, Kingsley Ashibogwu, Delta State Commissioner for Secondary Education commended the JV partners and encouraged teachers to cascade their knowledge within their schools.
In his goodwill message, Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmad, Minister of State for Education opined that education reform remains central to the Federal Government’s national transformation strategy
Ahmad represented by Caroline Ikem, Director of the Federal Education Quality Assurance Service (FEQAS), Edo State office, emphasised the Federal Government’s focus on teacher quality.
She, however, urged graduates to “share what you have learnt, because the future of the nation depends on it.”
Donna McGowan, British Council Country Director represented by Chikodi Onyemerela, highlighted the importance of continuous professional development, calling for more emphasis on digital skills and modern pedagogy.
The highlight of the event was the Teacher Innovation Contest, featuring market‑ready ideas developed during STEP. Winners included:
Some of the market-ready ideas developed by the teachers and displayed at the event were Eco “Fueless” Generator by Stephen Egbeburu, Learning Solutions by Mathew Nwokoye, and Live FaceFoods by Faith Igbayo among others.
