The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing science and technology education by empowering young girls in the Niger Delta region through its Girl Child STEM initiative. This groundbreaking programme, which concluded with a competition in Port Harcourt, aims to bridge the gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and nurture future innovators.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, NDDC Managing Director Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, represented by the Director of Education, Dr. Awele Chukwudifu, highlighted the transformative impact of the initiative. She noted that the programme equips young girls with essential technological skills to thrive in an increasingly digital world. “This STEM competition has brought enormous benefits to the girl child by equipping them with the technological skills essential for the future,” she stated, while commending the NDDC Board and Management for their unwavering support in advancing education across the region.
Professor Continue Eletu, representing the Rivers State Office Director, emphasized that this initiative aligns with the Commission’s broader policy priorities under Dr. Ogbuku’s leadership. He described the programme as a platform for students from the nine Niger Delta states to excel in mathematics, engineering, and science—fields critical for driving innovation and societal growth. Eletu further linked the initiative to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, underscoring its significance in shaping a brighter future for the region. “When you train a girl, you train a nation,” he remarked.
The competition also served as a rigorous selection process to identify and nurture exceptional talent among young girls. Chief Godson Ideozu, Lead Consultant for the programme, described it as a vital step in building human capacity in cutting-edge fields like Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science. He announced that mentorship opportunities would follow to sustain participants’ interest in STEM fields and ensure long-term success.
The event’s highlight was the presentation of awards to top-performing students. Miss Jegede Osamagbe emerged as the overall winner and expressed her gratitude for the opportunity provided by NDDC. “I thank the NDDC for this platform that nurtures and empowers young girls in STEM,” she said, encouraging other girls to dream big. “If you can imagine it, you can achieve it.”
This initiative reflects NDDC’s broader commitment to human capital development alongside infrastructural projects. By investing in education and empowering young girls, the Commission is laying a foundation for innovation and sustainable development in Nigeria’s oil-rich region.
