Minister Sulaiman-Ibrahim Advocates for Creativity and Innovation in STEAM Education
Minister Sulaiman-Ibrahim Advocates for Creativity and Innovation in STEAM Education
ACP Ibidapo Olubiyi; Matilda Belleggia; Angelica Felici Caravella; Prof Hauwa Ibrahim, and Minister of State for Police Affairs, FCT Mandate Secretary, Mrs. Adebayo Benjamins-Laniyi; Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; CP S. W. Abdul; POWA FCT Secretary, Mrs. Oyarekha Fatimo, POWA PRO, Comfort Omoleye; Director Police Inspectorate (MPA), Bola Aderele; DavidMarulanda and others during the inspection of the STEAM programme held at the Police Secondary School in Abuja.
The Minister of State for Police Affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has emphasized the importance of nurturing future leaders by passing on knowledge in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). This call to action was made during her visit to the Police Primary School in Abuja, where she inspected a STEAM program organized by the Honourable Minister of State, Police Officers’ Wives Association, in collaboration with the Peace Institute, led by Professor Hauwa Ibrahim.
In a statement signed by the Deputy Director of the Information and Public Relations Unit, Mr. Bolaji Kazeem, and shared with the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), the Minister stressed that success is incomplete without grooming successors. She noted that the STEAM program is designed to encourage students to take their education seriously, foster creativity, and instill a positive, can-do attitude, which is crucial for thinking ambitiously about the future.
“The future of learning is rooted in STEAM, and incorporating the arts ensures that even those who are not science-inclined can benefit. We aim to expand this training to reach more students and continue equipping teachers with the skills needed to make a lasting impact,” said Sulaiman-Ibrahim.
The Minister also highlighted that the program is part of the ongoing Renewed Hope Police Reforms, which seek to elevate the standards of primary and secondary schools within the police ecosystem. The goal is to transform these institutions into top-choice schools within the next two years.
Meanwhile, the Mandate Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory, Mrs. Adebayo Benjamins-Laniyi, revealed that a similar STEAM program was recently concluded in four wards of Abuja—Kagini, Karu, Kwasah, and Karamajiji. She noted that 250 children participated in each ward, including those with disabilities and from vulnerable backgrounds. The program also had a higher participation rate of girls compared to boys, with efforts made to ensure that the knowledge gained is passed on to underprivileged teachers.
Professor Hauwa Ibrahim, a visiting lecturer from Harvard University and part of the Peace Institute team from the University of Rome, remarked that 80 percent of the materials used in the Art, Science, and Technology classes were repurposed from trash. This approach was intended to teach students how to transform waste into valuable resources.
“The students have shown remarkable enthusiasm and creativity during the experiments. This program has already impacted 1,500 children, and we are committed to reaching even more. Success is a collective effort, and if everyone contributes, Nigeria has the potential to unlock immense talent,” Prof Ibrahim concluded.
This initiative underscores the government's commitment to fostering excellence in education and ensuring that the next generation is equipped with the skills and mindset needed to drive innovation and progress in Nigeria.
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