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NEPL/Seplat JV Deepens Commitment to Education, Empowers Additional 381 Teachers
NEPL/Seplat Energy Joint Venture (JV) has launched the 5th edition of its transformative Seplat Teachers Empowerment Programme (STEP), marking a significant milestone in its commitment to education. Since its inception, STEP has empowered 1,373 individuals, including 1,264 secondary school teachers and 109 Chief Inspectors of Education (CIEs) across Edo, Delta states and host communities, equipping them with essential skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). This initiative has not only enhanced the quality of education but has also ignited creativity and innovation within classrooms.
The 2024 edition was officially flagged off on August 22, 2024 in Benin, Edo State, bringing together 359 teachers and 22 Chief Inspectors of Education (CIEs) from across Edo, Delta States and supporting communities. This continued investment by the NEPL/Seplat JV underscores its unwavering commitment to elevating education in its host states and communities.
In her address, the Director, External Affairs & Social Performance, Seplat Energy, Chioma Afe, highlighted the strategic vision behind STEP, stating, “Five years ago, we conducted a thorough assessment of our host communities in Edo and Delta states to identify their most pressing needs. Education emerged as the top priority, not only for the children but also for the teachers who are instrumental in shaping the future of the students. Through STEP, we are creating a comprehensive educational ecosystem—impacting teachers, students, school infrastructure, and even the Ministries of Education. This approach ensures that our investment in education will yield long-lasting benefits for the entire community.”
Afe further emphasized the comprehensive nature of the programme, noting that participating teachers undergo a rigorous four-day workshop covering leadership, digital skills, STEAM, and essential life skills. “We have provided each teacher with a tablet equipped with the STEP app, granting them access to a wealth of teacher-focused resources from Microsoft, as well as ongoing support from facilitators. This programme is an ongoing journey of professional growth and empowerment. We will return in six months for the graduation ceremony, where the teachers will share their success stories and be recognized for their achievements,” she added.
The Commissioner, Ministry of Education, Edo State, Joan Osa Oviawe, represented by a Permanent Secretary in the Edo State Public Service, Mr Ojo Akin-Longe, expressed the state government’s deep appreciation for the partnership with the Seplat JV, stating, “Initiatives like STEP are a testament to NEPL/Seplat Energy JV’s deep commitment to the communities in which they operate. By partnering with us to enhance the capacity of our teachers, NEPL/Seplat Energy JV is playing a crucial role in developing the potential of our children and, by extension, the future of Edo State. We are grateful for their continued support and pledge our full cooperation to ensure the success of this programme.”
The Commissioner, Ministry of Secondary Education, Delta State, Mrs. Rose Ezewu, represented by Deputy Director (Schools), Delta State Ministry of Secondary Education, Mrs Justina Ishaka, echoed these sentiments, praising STEP as a catalyst for educational reform. “STEP is more than just a training initiative; it represents a comprehensive approach to improving the quality of education in Delta State. Over 500 teachers in our state have already benefited from this programme, and its positive impact will continue to ripple through our communities for years to come. We commend the NEPL/Seplat JV for their unwavering commitment to education and their partnership in this noble endeavour.”
Representing NNPC Exploration & Production Limited (NEPL) at the event, Managing Director Nicolas Foucart represented by Deputy Manager, Operations Management Seplat, NEPL, Uzoma Ezulu, emphasized the vital role of teachers in society, saying “The NEPL/Seplat JV STEP Programme is one of our key contributions to the communities we serve. We all recognize the indispensable role teachers play in shaping the future, and through STEP, we express our gratitude for their tireless efforts. We are committed to continuing our support for teachers and ensuring they have the resources they need to succeed.”
The impact of the STEP programme is evident in the testimonials of participating teachers. Oloye Funmilayo from Itohan Girls Grammar School, Benin City, shared: “The STEP programme has significantly boosted my self-awareness and confidence as an educator. I now feel empowered to inspire my students to achieve greatness, knowing that I am equipped with the tools to make a difference in their lives.”
Charity Okpue from Ethiope Mixed Secondary School, Sapele, Delta added, “Since joining the STEP programme, I have gained invaluable insights into emotional intelligence and effective classroom management. This training has exceeded my expectations and has provided me with the skills to better handle challenging situations and foster a positive learning environment for my students.”
The 2024 STEP edition began with an intensive four-day residential workshop and will be followed by six months of online training, providing participants with ongoing leadership and self-improvement opportunities. Equipped with state-of-the-art STEAM gadgets and apps, these educators are now better prepared to deliver high-quality education that meets the demands of a rapidly evolving world.
As NEPL/Seplat JV continues to invest in educational development through STEP, the programme’s success highlights the critical importance of empowering educators to drive meaningful change in their classrooms and communities. This commitment to education will undoubtedly contribute to the long-term prosperity of Edo and Delta states and, by extension, Nigeria as a whole.
Lagos State has become the first sub-national government in Nigeria to establish a comprehensive Greenhouse Gas Registry, a move aimed at strengthening climate governance, improving emissions accountability and accelerating the state’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
The Lagos State Greenhouse Gas Registry (LGHGR) was unveiled at the Central Business District, Alausa, Ikeja, at a ceremony attended by Prof. Akin Abayomi, commissioner for Health, members of the State Executive Council, representatives of the Federal Ministry of Environment, development partners, TPHG Technologies, the diplomatic and business communities, academics, civil society organisations and the media.
Describing the initiative as a landmark achievement in the state’s environmental sustainability drive, Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, general manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), said the Registry marks a defining moment in Lagos’ climate action journey and reflects Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to building a resilient, climate-smart and environmentally sustainable economy.
According to Ajayi, the digital platform will enable the state to accurately measure, monitor, report and verify greenhouse gas emissions across key sectors, providing credible data to guide environmental policies and climate interventions.
He said the Registry would strengthen evidence-based decision-making, improve transparency and accountability, support national and international climate reporting obligations, unlock carbon market opportunities and boost investor confidence in Lagos’ environmental initiatives.
Ajayi also commended TPHG Technologies for providing the technical expertise that made the pioneering project possible.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Abayomi described the Registry as a major milestone that positions Lagos at the forefront of climate governance and emissions accountability in both Nigeria and Africa.
He noted that climate change has evolved into a significant public health and governance challenge, stressing that access to reliable emissions data would enable the state to formulate evidence-based policies, attract climate financing, strengthen resilience and accelerate its transition to a low-carbon economy.
Providing insights into the technical framework of the project, Dr. Mofoluso Fagbeja, lead consultant and chief executive officer, TPHG Technologies, explained that the Registry was developed from the greenhouse gas inventory jointly undertaken by LASEPA and TPHG Technologies in 2022, using 2019 as the baseline year for emissions assessment.
He said the platform is designed to close critical emissions data gaps, particularly within the industrial sector, while supporting effective climate policy implementation, emissions management and sustainable development.
Fagbeja also disclosed that the greenhouse gas inventory estimated that poor air quality contributes to about 35,000 premature deaths annually in Lagos, underscoring the urgent need for stronger emissions control measures and cleaner environmental practices.
In a goodwill message, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, minister of Environment, represented by Mrs. Adenaike Olunimpe Oludunni, federal controller of Environment in Lagos, commended Lagos State for pioneering the initiative, describing it as a significant contribution to Nigeria’s climate commitments.
He said the Registry aligns with the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement and supports the Federal Government’s Energy Transition Plan, while reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to deeper collaboration with Lagos State on climate governance and environmental sustainability.
A recently released Henley Passport Index 2026, showed that Nigerian citizens can travel to at least 20 destinations outside the African continent where entry is allowed either visa-free, with a visa on arrival (VOA) at no extra cost, or via an e-visa.
This expanded access opens doors for Nigerian travellers to experience countries in the Caribbean, Asia, and beyond with greater ease.
Below is a comprehensive guide to countries outside Africa which Nigerian passport holders can visit without a traditional visa.
Visa-Free Countries outside Africa for Nigerian Passport Holders:
Barbados
Cambodia – Visa on arrival
Comoros Islands – Visa on arrival
Cook Islands
Dominica
Fiji
Haiti
Iran – Visa on arrival
Kiribati
Lebanon
Maldives – Visa on arrival
Micronesia
Montserrat
Niue – Visa on arrival
Palau Islands – Visa on arrival
Samoa – Visa on arrival
St. Kitts and Nevis
Timor-Leste – Visa on arrival
Tuvalu
Vanuatuul
Nigeria and Israel yesterday reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation in research, technology and innovation as both countries pledged to expand partnerships that will drive entrepreneurship, commercialise research and accelerate economic development.
The commitment was made at the closing ceremony and innovation showcase of the I-FAIR Cohort of the Israel-Nigeria Innovation Fellowship for Aspiring Inventors and Researchers (I-FAIR) in Abuja, where the Ambassador of Israel to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, announced that funding had been secured for the fifth edition of the programme, scheduled to begin in October 2026.
Freeman described I-FAIR as a practical demonstration of the growing partnership between both countries, saying it had enabled Nigerian innovators to develop local solutions to national challenges through Israeli mentorship and expertise.
He said, “This programme has never been about bringing Israeli solutions to Nigeria. It’s been about helping brilliant Nigerian innovators develop Nigerian solutions to Nigerian challenges supported by Israeli experience, mentorship and innovation.”
The envoy noted that the initiative had brought together government, academia, investors, engineers and entrepreneurs to transform innovative ideas into businesses capable of creating jobs and stimulating economic growth.
Announcing the continuation of the programme, he said, “I am so proud to stand here today and announce that we have secured with our partners funding for I-FAIR 5 and I-FAIR 5 will be launching in October 2026.”
Freeman said the relationship between Nigeria and Israel had grown significantly over the past four and a half years through cooperation in innovation, agriculture, healthcare, education, water management and technology.
He expressed confidence that stronger collaboration between both countries would unlock greater opportunities for startups, research institutions and businesses.
According to him, “Israel brings experience and innovation, technology, agriculture, healthcare, cyber security, security and water management. Nigeria brings extraordinary talent, creativity, entrepreneurship and one of the most dynamic young populations anywhere in the world.”
He added, “I have no doubt that the best chapters of the relationship between Israel and Nigeria are still ahead of us.”
The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Architect Sonny Echono, also reaffirmed TETFund’s commitment to strengthening research and innovation through strategic partnerships with Israel and other stakeholders.
He said the I-FAIR programme aligned with Nigeria’s priorities in food security, agriculture, medicine, technology, clean energy and the circular economy, adding that TETFund would continue supporting initiatives that promote research commercialisation.
Echono stressed that collaboration between government, academia and industry remained critical to translating research findings into products and services.
He said, “It is this critical linkage, especially between science, engineering, technology and innovation, and the productive sector that is critical for translating R&D results and inventions into finished products for socio-economic benefits of our people.”
He disclosed that TETFund was working with partners to establish innovation facilities in about 60 tertiary institutions and had created a student innovation fund that would provide up to ₦50 million to students with commercially viable ideas.
The TETFund boss also announced plans for a National Research Fair later this year, where innovators would showcase products before policymakers, financial institutions and investors to attract funding and commercial partnerships.
Paying tribute to the outgoing Israeli ambassador, Echono described Freeman as a strong bridge between Nigeria and Israel.
He said, “Nigeria is grateful for your service. You have been a strong bridge between our two countries.”
Earlier, Head of Programmes at Innov8 Hub, Tolulope Aina, said sustainable economic development depended on building an innovation ecosystem that transforms ideas into successful businesses.
She noted that Innov8 Hub had supported more than 3,000 innovators, researchers and entrepreneurs, helping them convert research into products, startups and investment-ready ventures.
Aina said, “Nigeria does not suffer from a shortage of brilliant minds, what we need are stronger pathways that help those ideas become products, businesses, and opportunities that improve life.”
She thanked the Embassy of Israel and TETFund for their continued support in strengthening Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.
According to her, “Building an innovation-driven economy requires collaboration, long-term commitment and shared purpose.”
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