Kogi STEMQuest: Government Unveils Practical STEM Education »

The Kogi State Government has unveiled KOGI STEMQuest, a statewide education initiative designed to promote practical learning and encourage innovation among children in primary and secondary schools across the state.

The programme was unveiled by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Education, Hon. Nanahawa Yetunde Kazeem, in partnership with the EmpowerNest Foundation (ENF).

Kogi STEMQuest seeks to complement classroom teaching with project-based learning that enables pupils and students to build, experiment, investigate, create and develop solutions to real-world problems.

The initiative will be delivered through a competency-based STEMQuest curriculum, teacher capacity development, STEM Clubs, STEM Innovation Kits and an annual Innovation Challenge.

It will also feature a Girls in STEM initiative, mentorship opportunities involving universities and industry, as well as a structured monitoring and evaluation framework.

According to the organisers, the programme is aimed at making Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) more accessible, engaging and relevant to learners across Kogi State.

The initiative is being implemented under the supervision of the Kogi State Ministry of Education, headed by the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wemi Jones, FCIB.
It aligns with the education priorities of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration, particularly its focus on expanding access to education and preparing young people for future opportunities.

Speaking on the initiative, Kazeem, who is also the project lead, said STEM education should not be perceived as an exclusive field for academically gifted children.

“One of the greatest misconceptions in our education system is that STEM is only for the exceptionally brilliant. I believe that has discouraged far too many children from discovering what they are truly capable of,” she said.

Kazeem said the programme was conceived to address the perception that STEM subjects are beyond the reach of ordinary learners, noting that every child has the capacity to be curious, creative and innovative.

She said many children had been discouraged from exploring careers in science, engineering and technology because they had not been exposed to practical, engaging and inspiring learning experiences.

“It is this narrative that KOGI STEMQuest seeks to change,” she said.

According to her, the initiative will enable learners to move beyond memorising concepts and gain practical experience through building, experimentation, creativity and problem-solving.

“We believe that when learners experience STEM in practical and exciting ways, they don’t just develop new skills; they begin to see themselves differently,” Kazeem said.
She added that the programme was designed to make STEM “engaging, practical, accessible, and enjoyable” for learners.

Following the unveiling, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Education is expected to commence statewide engagements with government agencies, tertiary institutions, development partners and corporate organisations.

The engagements will seek to mobilise partnerships through sponsorship, mentorship, equipment donations and technical support to strengthen practical STEM education across Kogi State.