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By Baba Mohammed
The Kwara State chapter of the U.S. Exchange Alumni Association of Nigeria (USEAAN) has reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing young people through mentorship, career guidance and STEM education initiatives aimed at fostering positive change in society.
The State Coordinator of the association, Prof. Faoziyat Sulaiman, stated this during a STEM and Career Guidance Summit organised for senior secondary school students at Community Secondary School, Tanke Oke-Odo, Ilorin.
The summit, themed “From Classroom to Career: Building Nigeria’s Next STEM Leaders,” exposed students to career pathways in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.Speaking during the programme, Prof. Sulaiman shared inspiring stories of students moving from classrooms in Kwara State to global laboratories, technology firms and research centres.
She also led sessions on first aid simulation, linking STEM knowledge to community health, alongside career-mapping exercises designed to help students align their interests with emerging and in-demand professions.
She emphasised that Nigeria needs more problem-solvers, explaining that STEM education goes beyond examinations and plays a critical role in innovation, employment and national development.
Also speaking at the summit, Dr Abdul-Karim Rabiu encouraged students to see themselves as future engineers, data scientists, health-tech innovators and climate researchers capable of solving societal challenges within their communities.
Other speakers, including Dr David Adetitun and Mr Abdul-Raheem Abdul-Akeem, advised students to remain focused on their studies and strive for academic excellence, while Dr Ameen Mubarak urged them to associate with peer groups that would positively influence their future and personal development.
In her remarks, the Principal of Community Secondary School, Tanke Oke-Odo, Ilorin, Mrs Omobolanle Adebola, commended the U.S. Mission Nigeria and USEAAN for organising the initiative, noting that early exposure to STEM careers would help reduce unemployment and improve Nigeria’s global competitiveness.
Mrs Adebola also appealed to governments at all levels and well-meaning individuals to support the school with infrastructure and other essential facilities needed to enhance teaching and learning for students in the community.
