The NNPC Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), has kicked off the distribution of 25,000 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) textbooks to public schools across Nigeria.
The official launch took place at the School for the Gifted in Gwagwalada, Abuja. The initiative is part of the Foundation’s effort to promote quality education and drive technological advancement by equipping students with essential learning materials.
Managing Director of the NNPC Foundation, Emmanuella Arukwe, highlighted the importance of STEM education in national development, stressing that the initiative is aimed at empowering students to pursue careers in science and technology.
“This is the second phase of our STEM books initiative,” Arukwe said. “We distributed 15,000 books last year, and now we’re adding another 25,000 to reach more schools. Our target is to deliver a total of 40,000 textbooks to public secondary schools in all 36 states and the FCT. Each selected school will receive 1,000 books and a bookshelf for proper storage and access.”
She emphasized that the donated books—covering subjects such as mathematics, physics, and biology—are tailored for junior and senior secondary school students. The goal, she added, is to ignite interest in STEM fields and prepare students for future academic and professional success.
“This project also aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 4 (quality education) and Goal 10 (reduced inequality). Quality education is key to national growth and reducing disparities,” Arukwe said.
She noted that a special focus is being placed on schools with a strong science curriculum, such as the School for the Gifted, which has 596 science students. “These students have shown exceptional potential, and we believe these textbooks will further unlock their abilities,” she said.
The Foundation’s broader CSR efforts also include interventions in healthcare, the environment, energy access, and youth empowerment.
In his remarks, the Principal of the School for the Gifted, Mr. Bello Adamu, expressed appreciation for the donation and pledged to maximize the use of the resources provided.
“This generous donation reflects your dedication to education and youth development. We are grateful and hopeful that this partnership continues to grow,” Adamu said. He also appealed for additional support in the form of ICT tools such as desktop computers, laptops, and internet connectivity to further enhance learning outcomes.
The NNPC Foundation confirmed that the distribution exercise will continue throughout April 2025, reaching schools across the six geopolitical zones.
