The Director/Chief Executive of the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) Kaduna, Prof. Musa Garba Maitafsir has emphasized that science and technology education is critical to restoring Africa’s lost glory.
He made this statement on Tuesday in Kaduna during the 21st Conference on Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education in Africa (COMSTEDA 21).
The event also featured the Annual Strengthening Mathematics and Science Education (SMASE) Africa Delegates Meeting, both hosted by the NTI. The conference was themed, “Empowering The Next Generation Through Innovative STEM Education.”
Maitafsir stressed the need for African countries to rethink their strategies and focus on producing the resources needed for their development, in line with global standards.
“For instance, decades ago, Africa was self-sufficient in many of the things we produced. But that is no longer the case,” he said. “Today, if we remove China from the equation, we will be left with nothing. We are not moving forward; instead, we are regressing. Therefore, science and technology education is the key solution. If we are to restore that lost glory, the sooner we act, the better for the continent.”
He further highlighted NTI’s commitment to advancing SMASE, noting, “At NTI, we are fully dedicated to making this a reality.”
Dr. Benson Banda, President of SMASE Africa and Director of the National Science Centre, Zambia, lamented that while Africa is rich in resources, it remains underdeveloped.
“Africa is blessed with abundant natural resources, but only through the application of science and technology can we truly harness them,” Banda said. “STEM must be a priority on Africa’s education agenda, and NTI should be commended for pioneering this conference.”
The Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmad Nuhu Bamali, echoed the sentiment, stating that science and technology education holds the key to the future of every Nigerian and African child. He also urged caution in the use of Artificial Intelligence, describing it as a double-edged sword with both advantages and disadvantages.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna, who declared the conference open, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to STEM education. “STEM is a top priority for us, and education as a whole receives pivotal focus,” he said, represented by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Sani Bello. The governor added that the state accords significant attention to the sector in both budgeting and policy implementation.
The conference, held from September 10 to 12, is attended by participants and delegates from Nigeria and across Africa.
