The Federal Government has praised Seplat Energy Plc for its sustained commitment to improving education in Nigeria, describing the company’s investments as a significant contribution to developing the country’s future workforce.
The recognition came during the 2026 Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS), where Seplat Energy sponsored a high-level plenary focused on advancing education across the continent through stronger collaboration between governments, businesses and development organisations. The session, themed Powering Africa’s Future: Private Sector Leadership in Education Transformation, brought together policymakers, education experts, private sector executives and development partners to discuss practical ways of improving learning outcomes and preparing young Africans for the changing world of work.
Representing Seplat Energy’s Chief Executive Officer, Roger Brown, the company’s Director of External Affairs and Social Performance, Chioma Afe, reaffirmed the organisation’s long-standing belief that education remains one of the most effective tools for sustainable development.
According to her, the company’s partnership with the Africa Social Impact Summit reflects a commitment to moving beyond conversations by supporting initiatives capable of delivering measurable impact in schools and communities.
She explained that Seplat Energy has continued to invest in educational programmes across its host communities in Edo, Delta and Imo states, while plans are underway to extend similar interventions to Akwa Ibom State.
These investments include scholarships for students, teacher capacity development, improvements in school infrastructure and programmes that promote Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics education.
The company also stressed that solving Africa’s education challenges requires a collective effort, noting that governments alone cannot shoulder the responsibility of equipping millions of young people with the skills required in an increasingly technology-driven economy.
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Federal Government Calls for Greater Private Sector Participation
Speaking during the education session, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, described education as one of the country’s most valuable investments and acknowledged Seplat Energy’s consistent contributions to the sector.
She commended the company for supporting scholarships, teacher development programmes, educational infrastructure and initiatives that encourage innovation through STEAM education.
The minister said education remains central to economic growth, innovation and national competitiveness, adding that Nigeria’s education system must embrace digital transformation if it is to produce graduates equipped for future opportunities.
She also urged more companies to invest in digital infrastructure for schools, artificial intelligence, educational technology, technical and vocational education, teacher development and improved internet connectivity across learning institutions.
According to her, stronger partnerships between government and the private sector will be essential to accelerating reforms and expanding access to quality education nationwide.
Lagos State also reinforced the message during the summit.
Representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Dr Obafemi Hamzat emphasised that sustainable development across Africa depends on strategic investments in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, technology and infrastructure.
He noted that investing in young people today remains one of the surest ways to build resilient economies capable of competing globally.
Education Leaders Push for Collaboration to Prepare Africa’s Workforce
Conversations throughout the plenary centred on how Africa can better prepare its growing youth population for future employment through digital skills, innovation and stronger education systems.
Participants highlighted the increasing importance of digital literacy, artificial intelligence, teacher development and strategic financing as key ingredients for building education systems capable of responding to changing economic realities.
Stakeholders agreed that meaningful progress will require long-term partnerships that combine government policies, private investment and support from development institutions.
For Seplat Energy, the discussions aligned closely with its broader sustainability strategy, which places education and human capital development among its priority areas for community investment.
The company maintained that empowering students and teachers today will help create a stronger talent pipeline capable of supporting Africa’s long-term economic development and industrial growth.
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Back Story
The Africa Social Impact Summit has become one of the continent’s leading platforms for discussing sustainable development and financing solutions across key sectors.
Ahead of this year’s gathering, Seplat Energy was announced as the official theme partner for the summit’s education session, signalling its intention to drive conversations around expanding access to quality education, improving youth employability and strengthening education financing across Africa.
Over the years, Seplat Energy has implemented several education-focused initiatives within its host communities, including scholarship schemes, teacher training programmes, school infrastructure support and projects designed to improve learning opportunities for young Nigerians.
The company’s participation at ASIS 2026 reinforces a growing trend in which private sector organisations are taking a more active role in supporting education, complementing government efforts to prepare Africa’s rapidly expanding youth population for the future.
