Scientific innovations by young Nigerian students were displayed at the maiden annual national science, technology and innovation exhibitions amongst senior secondary school students.
The exhibition was organized by the national senior secondary education commission (NSSEC) for students from public science and technical colleges within the federal capital territory (FCT), Abuja.
The students commended the commission for the platform given to them to exhibit their innovations, saying that the experience would enable them to contribute their quotas to national development.
Some of the innovations created by the students include; a device for the production of trioxo carbonate (iv) salt from saw-dust, making of biodegradable plastics from cassava peels, extraction of indicator from hibiscus, zobo leaves and red cabbage leaves.
Abdullateef Halima and Gilbert Immaculate Chisom of government girls’ science secondary school explained that they have developed study set made of wood and sequence and cultured veneer wood which are used to make pictures, amongst other innovations.
At the opening ceremony of the two-day exhibition, the executive secretary of the commission, Dr. Iyela Ajayi assured that the subsequent editions will be expanded to cover other students from the 36 states and FCT.
He said NSSEC was established in April, 2021 with the mandates to among others prescribe and enforce minimum standards, regulate and provide interventions for the development of senior secondary education in Nigeria.
“Let me use this opportunity to appreciate the federal government and to congratulate all of you for the establishment of this commission. It is only the senior secondary education sub-sector that has suffered neglect for such a long time without any intervention/regulatory agency.
“One of the mandates of NSSEC is to promote science, technology, engineering, arts and design and mathematics (STEAM), technical, vocational education and training (TVET) as well as entrepreneurial skills at senior secondary education level in Nigeria.
“It is in line with this mandate that we saw the need to organize this programme. This exhibition creates a platform for you to showcase your talent and creativity as well as providing you with the opportunity to meet with relevant organizations/agencies whom we have invited to look at what they are doing and then add value to it,” he said.
