The Federal Capital Territory Universal Basic Education Board (FCT UBEB) says it is building a generation of problem-solvers, innovators, and entrepreneurs to drive sustainable growth and development in the FCT and across Nigeria.
The Mandate Secretary, FCT Education Secretariat, Dr Danlami Hayyo, who disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at the maiden edition of the Science, Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship stakeholder meeting organised by the board said that the world had been evolving at an unprecedented pace, largely driven by science, technology, and innovation, stressing that the education sector must remain at the forefront of this transformation.
He noted that it was no longer sufficient to focus solely on literacy and numeracy, but necessary to prioritise critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, creativity, digital literacy, and entrepreneurial skills among learners.
“This initiative aligns strongly with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration, which emphasises human capital development, youth empowerment, job creation, and economic diversification.
“By integrating entrepreneurship and innovation into basic education, we are deliberately preparing our young learners not just to seek jobs, but to create them.
“This approach also supports the broader national objective of reducing unemployment, fostering self-reliance, and building a resilient economy driven by knowledge, skills, and innovation,” The Mandate Secretary explained.
Hayyo further stated that achieving the objectives would require a collective and coordinated effort through stronger partnerships among educators, policymakers, parents, the private sector, development partners, and the wider community.
According to the Mandate Secretary, teachers, as frontline implementers, must be continuously trained and empowered with modern pedagogical skills that promote experiential learning, inquiry-based teaching, and innovation-driven instruction.
Hayyo said the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had continued to provide an enabling environment through the massive renovation and rehabilitation of schools across the territory.
“Building on this foundation, we will further strengthen our school environments by equipping them with essential tools, digital resources, and innovation hubs where learners can explore their talents in areas such as coding, robotics, vocational trades, creative arts, and enterprise development,” he stated.
The Mandate Secretary emphasised the need to strengthen collaboration with industry stakeholders and community-based organisations, noting that such partnerships would provide mentorship opportunities, internships, exposure to real-world challenges, and access to resources to make learning more practical and impactful.
Earlier, the Acting Executive Chairman of FCT UBEB, Mrs Florence Wenegieme, noted that the meeting marked a significant milestone in efforts to transform basic education in the FCT.
She said the engagement was a strategic step towards repositioning the education system to meet the demands of the 21st century and beyond.
“The world is rapidly evolving through the power of science, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Education systems across the globe are shifting from traditional learning methods to more practical, skill-oriented, and technology-driven approaches.
“As such, FCT UBEB recognises that the future of our children depends largely on how well we prepare them today.
“The establishment and strengthening of the Department of Science, Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship is a deliberate effort to ensure that our pupils are not only knowledgeable but also creative, innovative, and capable of solving real-life problems.
“Our goal is to nurture young minds that can think critically, innovate boldly, and embrace entrepreneurship as a pathway to self-reliance and national development,” she explained.
According to her, that promoting entrepreneurship education in basic schools remained a key priority of the initiative adding that exposing learners to entrepreneurial thinking at an early stage would equip them with problem-solving skills, creativity, and confidence to transform ideas into practical solutions.
“This approach will not only enhance learning but also prepare our pupils to become job creators rather than job seekers in the future.
“Equally important is the need to improve the methods of teaching science and technology-related subjects in our schools. The era of passive learning is gradually giving way to interactive and learner-centred approaches.
“We must embrace modern teaching strategies such as practical demonstrations, project-based learning, digital tools, and innovation-driven instruction that make learning more engaging and meaningful,” Wenegieme stressed.