The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and Seplat Energy Joint Venture have trained 127 teachers and education evaluators in Imo State as part of efforts to strengthen professional and practical skills among educators.

The beneficiaries make up the first cohort of the Seplat Teachers Empowerment Programme (STEP), an initiative focused on building teachers’ professional capacity while equipping them with additional skills that can support their economic resilience.

The training covered digital skills, STEAM-focused teaching approaches and practical alternative income-generating skills. Participants were introduced to modern methods of teaching Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM), as well as digital competencies and opportunities to develop additional sources of income.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony in Owerri, the Director of External Affairs and Social Performance, Seplat Energy Plc, Chioma Afe, represented by the General Manager, Corporate Social Investment, Esther Icha, said the programme reflected the company’s commitment to investing in education and equipping educators with skills relevant to a changing world.

She also said empowering teachers was essential to improving learning outcomes and preparing Nigerian children for the future.

The Commissioner for Education (Primary and Secondary), Imo State, Prof. Benard Ikegwuoha, commended NNPC and Seplat Energy for their support for education in the state.

He encouraged the beneficiaries to put their newly acquired knowledge into practice by improving classroom teaching and sharing the skills with colleagues and students.

Joint best-graduating teachers Samuel Chijoke and Onuoha Success described the training as transformative and pledged to apply what they learned in their respective schools.

The graduation ceremony was attended by other Imo State government officials and education stakeholders, including the Commissioner for Niger Delta Affairs and Intelligence, Imo State, Dr Henry Okafor.

The Seplat Teachers Empowerment Programme is part of Seplat Energy’s broader corporate social investment activities covering education, health and community development.

The company has also carried out teacher training initiatives in other states where it operates.

With the completion of the first STEP cohort in Imo State, the programme is expected to enhance teachers’ ability to adopt modern teaching methods and support improved learning outcomes across schools in the state.

Source: msme Africa online