Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has commended MTN Foundation for its decade-long commitment to STEM education in Nigeria through the renovation of 110 laboratories across multiple states. Speaking through his representative, Engr. Ganiyu Oseni, Special Adviser on Innovation, Broadband, and Technology, Sanwo-Olu expressed gratitude for MTNโs efforts, describing the initiative as โmore than just infrastructure but a vital investment in the future of Nigeriaโs youth.โ
MTN Foundation unveiled seven newly refurbished laboratories at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School in Yaba, Lagos, as part of its Science & Technology Laboratory Project (MTNF STLP). The commissioning event welcomed key attendees, including MTN Directors; Dennis Okoro, Mosun Belo-Olusoga, and Edith Ofili-Okonkwo, along with MTN Foundation Executive Director, Odunayo Sanya, Lagos State representative, Engr. Ganyu Oseni, Special Adviser on Innovation, Broadband, and Technology; and representatives from the schoolโs alumni association. Through this ambitious initiative, MTN is expanding science and technology resources in public secondary schools across the country, enhancing STEM education and positively impacting students in underserved communities.
MTN Foundationโs Science & Technology Laboratory Project (MTNF STLP) is currently in its third phase, following a legacy of impact that began in 2012. In the first phase (2012โ2014), MTNF renovated 66 laboratories across 22 schools in six states. The second phase, from 2022 to 2023, saw the refurbishment of 16 labs across four schools. The current phase expands the projectโs scope even further, with 28 new laboratories established in six schools across Nigeria.
Sanwo-Oluโs administration has been focused on transforming Lagos into a centre of innovation and opportunity, and MTN Foundationโs investments strongly support this vision. โThe work of MTN Foundation in equipping science labs not only enriches the academic experience but also positions our state as a hub for knowledge and innovation,โ Oseni remarked.
Odunayo Sanya in her speech emphasised the Foundationโs focus on youth development and national priorities, explaining that Nigeriaโs young demographic drives the Foundationโs investments in empowering the next generation. “Nigeria is young, with immense potential, and it only makes sense to channel that energy toward building a brighter future. We are honoured to be part of this journey, empowering students with the tools they need to excel.” Sanya stated.
โPlease help us make it a gift that continues to give,โ she urged, noting MTNFโs dedication to not only revitalising these labs but to creating sustainable educational resources that can transform studentsโ learning journeys. โWeโve done the heavy lifting, and the heavy lifting is the investment, bringing it back up to where it should be.โ
The School alumni also praised MTN Foundationโs impact, noting that the modernised labs will significantly enhance studentsโ learning experiences in critical science subjects. MTNFโs dedication to building a well-rounded science education infrastructure continues to reflect its resolve to support Nigeriaโs next generation. As MTN Foundation continues its commissioning events in Rivers and Plateau states, it is reinforcing its role as a leader in private-sector-driven educational support.
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