As concerns grow over the quality of science education and skills development in Nigeria, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) says sustained investment in students is critical to preparing the workforce that will drive the country’s future industries.

That message took centre stage at the ninth edition of the NCDMB/NTA Science Quiz Competition for Secondary Schools in Bayelsa State, where Kaiama Grammar School, Kaiama, and Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Imiringi, emerged joint winners, while Apex Academy, Yenagoa, finished as the second runner-up.

Beyond the competition itself, organisers described the event as part of broader efforts to stimulate interest in science, technology and innovation among young Nigerians at a time when the country is seeking to build capacity in sectors such as oil and gas, technology, mining and manufacturing.

The winning schools received science laboratory equipment, microscopes, anatomical skeleton models, electronic scales and printers to support practical learning, while the six student finalists were presented with HP laptops to help them develop digital skills.

Speaking at the event held at the Nigerian Content Tower Conference Centre in Yenagoa, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the General Manager of Corporate Communications, Dr Obinna Ezeobi, said the Board’s continued support for the competition reflects its commitment to education and capacity development.

According to him, the partnership between NCDMB and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) has endured for nine consecutive years because both organisations recognise the importance of investing in young people.

He noted that developing indigenous capacity remains central to the Board’s mandate and that encouraging students to pursue science and technology subjects is essential to building the workforce required by Nigeria’s energy industry and other key sectors of the economy.

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“Our goal is to stimulate interest in science and innovation among young people and encourage them to develop solutions that can drive the oil and gas industry and other sectors of the economy,” he said.

Ogbe also highlighted the Board’s investment in educational infrastructure, noting that NCDMB has established Information and Communication Technology centres in several secondary schools across the country. The facilities are equipped with laptops, servers, interactive smartboards and power solutions, while teachers have also received training to improve digital learning outcomes.

The emphasis on technology skills reflects a growing recognition that future careers will increasingly require digital competence, problem-solving abilities and scientific knowledge.

Addressing the students, Ezeobi urged them to use the laptops they received as learning tools rather than devices for entertainment, stressing the importance of digital literacy in today’s economy.

The General Manager of NTA Yenagoa, Mary Ekanem, commended NCDMB for helping sustain the competition after financial challenges threatened its continuation. She described the initiative as an important contribution to educational development and said it encourages students to study harder and deepen their knowledge of science-related subjects.

The coordinator of the competition, David Oyintare Enemiebor, noted that participation has expanded significantly over the years, with the number of participating schools increasing from 16 to 32. He also praised the quality of prizes provided by the Board, saying they have helped raise the profile of the competition and encourage greater participation among schools.

For many education stakeholders, programmes such as the NCDMB/NTA Science Quiz Competition highlight the role partnerships can play in strengthening STEM education in Nigeria. While competitions alone cannot solve the country’s educational challenges, they provide opportunities for students to test their knowledge, build confidence and develop an interest in science and technology careers.

As Nigeria seeks to diversify its economy and compete in an increasingly technology-driven world, initiatives that encourage scientific learning and digital skills development may prove just as important as the prizes handed out at the end of the contest.

Meiza Nigeria