Former vice-presidential candidate Peter Obi has called for more financial and intellectual investments in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in the country with an appeal to the youths to take STEM learning and opportunities more seriously.
Speaking in a message to commemorate World Science Day for Peace and Development celebrated on November 10, Mr Obi stated that STEM education in Nigeria lacked the required funding needed to drive scientific growth and development in the country.
Obi opined that economic progress largely depends on innovation, invention, development and profusion of new technologies which are borne out of scientific research.
“I agree with Vannevar Bush when he said ‘There must be a stream of new scientific knowledge to turn the wheels of private and public enterprises. There must be plenty of men and women trained in science and technology, for upon them depend both the creation of new knowledge and its application to practical purposes’. Science and technology are the main drivers of innovation and development which propels economic growth,” Obi said.
He called on the Federal Government to take necessary steps to revive STEM education in Nigeria by way of better funding, provision of conducive environment for scientific research and development and employment of well-trained teachers in such areas.
