The Federal Government has lauded the launch of the INSPIRE Project as a transformative milestone for Nigeria’s educational and technological development, describing it as a critical step towards empowering the next generation of innovators, scientists, and engineers.

Vice President Kashim Shettima stated this at the launch of the project in Abuja, yesterday.

Shettima, represented by the Special Adviser to the President on General Duties, Dr Aliyu Umar, said that the INSPIRE Project represents a bold initiative that would unlock new opportunities for Nigerian youths, foster a culture of innovation, and drive the country’s progress in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

The initiative, led by PanAfricare and the TechWomen Alumni Association Nigeria, with funding from ExxonMobil Foundation, aims to revolutionise STEM education in Nigeria’s underserved public secondary schools.

According to Shettima, “the true measure of a nation’s progress is not in the volume of its exports or the height of its skyscrapers, but in the opportunities it creates for its youths to dream, discover, and design the future.”

He emphasised that Nigeria must no longer position its youths as mere spectators in the global knowledge economy but as formidable players.

However, the project will be implemented in 14 underserved schools across six states, Abia, Bauchi, Kaduna, Lagos, Rivers, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with a deliberate focus on gender inclusion and accessibility.

Over 65 per cent of beneficiaries are targeted to be girls, with a minimum of three per cent comprising students living with disabilities.

In his welcome address, Country Director of PanAfricare Nigeria, Dr Patrick Adah, expressed deep appreciation to partners and stakeholders, especially ExxonMobil Foundation, for their unwavering support.

He noted that early this year, Government Secondary School, Garki, won the prestigious INSPIRE Award, earning them a place at the World Robotics Championship in Houston, Texas.”

During the launch, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard M. Mills (Jr.), underscored the international significance of the initiative, saying: “I hope that in the next 15 years, many of the faces I see here today will become tech leaders, empowered through programmes like TechWomen and this partnership between the United States and Nigeria.”
The Ambassador also highlighted the role of mentorship and international collaboration in expanding professional and cultural understanding.
Bala Wudiri, General Manager, Public & Government Affairs at ExxonMobil Subsidiaries in Nigeria, echoed this sentiment, reaffirming the Foundation’s dedication to national capacity-building.