The Federal Capital Territory Universal Basic Education Board (FCT-UBEB) says it is shaping the next generation of inventors and entrepreneurs through the promotion of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), and entrepreneurship among schoolchildren.

The acting executive chairperson, Florence Wenegieme, said this at the 16th edition of the FCT-UBEB Annual Junior Engineers, Technology Scientists (JETS) and Entrepreneurship Competition on Saturday in Abuja.

Represented by the director of Physical Planning and Project Monitoring, Mansur Sule, the chairman pointed out that “age is no barrier to innovation”.

She said that the event, with the theme, “Popularising Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Entrepreneurship Education,” showcased the creative talents of primary and junior secondary school students across the FCT.

According to her, the initiative is designed to shift young minds away from job-hunting towards wealth creation.

“A good number of these students—some still in primary school—are already manufacturing items they can sell.

“They aren’t waiting to be hired. They are thinking about how to build businesses that will grow our economy and strengthen the nation’s tax base.”

Ms Wenegieme added that the initiative was supported by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, to position young students as future leaders in technology and enterprise.

Earlier, Angela Owan-Chukwu, director of Science, Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship, said that “early intervention is critical to help Nigerian youth become problem solvers and job creators.

“We need to catch them young.

“By nurturing their curiosity early, we will ensure that by the time they graduate, they already know how to turn ideas into income.”

Mrs Owan-Chukwu also praised the growing synergy between public and private institutions, pointing out that private school participation in the 2026 contest helped dispel common misconceptions about the quality of public education.

“Public school pupils showed today that they can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with anyone,” she said.

Mrs Owan-Chukwu, however, noted that funding remains a critical hurdle and appealed to both public authorities and private investors to step in and make the children’s dreams come true.

“These children are thinking way ahead of us. When they lack the funds to build what they imagine, it will be heart-breaking.

“We need the private sector to come onboard and help us scale this up,” she added.

Olobashola Kolawole, director, FCT Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation, emphasised that the event goes beyond a mere contest.

Mr Kolawole, who was represented by Evelyn Eneja, deputy director of technology acquisition and promotion, noted that science and technology remain key drivers of nation-building while entrepreneurship equips youths to become problem solvers and job creators.

Echoing these sentiments, FCT JETS coordinator, Idris Ibrahim, said that the goal is to train self-reliant graduates who would create opportunities rather than hunt for jobs.

According to him, STEM and entrepreneurship are vital drivers of self-reliance and national growth.

Highlights of the event included project exhibitions and the presentation of awards to top innovators across various categories.

 (NAN)