08/05/2026
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE EDUCATION HOLDS 1ST INTERNATIONAL HYBRID CONFERENCE FORCUSSES ON TRANSFORMING STEM EDUCATION
The Department of Science Education, Sule Lamido University Kafin Hausa (SLUK), has conducted its First International Hybrid Conference with focus on transforming the teaching of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education in Nigeria. The conference which was organised in partnership with College of Education and Legal Studies, Ringim and Universitas PGRI Semarang, Indonesia, was conducted between Tuesday 5th to Thursday 7th May 2026. While declaring the Conference open, the Vice-Chancellor “Professor Muhammad Ibrahim Yakasai, fcasson, mnae revealed that the conference theme “Transforming STEM Education in Nigeria: A Framework for Innovation, Equity and Sustainable Development in the Digital Age,” was both timely and strategic as it speaks directly to the urgent need to reposition our educational system to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global knowledge economy. Professor Yakasai further described STEM Education as the backbone of national development, innovation, and competitiveness, as such realities of inequitable access, inadequate infrastructure, and the slow pace of digital integration within our educational systems must be holistically confronted. The Vice-Chancellor further restated the University’s commitment to strengthening partnerships, encouraging interdisciplinary research, and leveraging digital technologies to enhance teaching and learning.
In his welcome address, the Dean, Faculty of Education, Dr. Ali Abdullahi Taura, unveiled that STEM Education was not just about technical skills, but about real world problems that include climate change, healthcare challenges, infrastructure development, and economic resilience, and therefore, by equipping the youths with the right skills and mindset, you are investing in a future that is not only prosperous but sustainable.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Occasion, and Dean School of Postgraduate Studies SLUK, Professor Umar Saje, opined that, the conference gathering was not just a platform of educators, professionals and stakeholders, but a consortium of visionaries united by a common purpose, to reimagine the future of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics education in Nigeria especially now that the world is rapidly evolving through digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and global interconnectedness, and therefore, the resolve to strengthen and modernise our STEM education system cannot be overemphasized. According to the Chairman, Nigeria, with one of the largest youth populations in the world, possesses enormous potential to become a global leader in innovation and technological advancement and however, realising this potential requires deliberate action that ensures our education system is inclusive and aligned with the demands of the 21st century.
While delivering his address, the Keynote Speaker and immediate past Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas disclosed that successful STEM Education systems are built on coordinated investments in teachers, institutions, infrastructure and innovation ecosystems. He further added that for Nigeria to improve learning outcomes through STEM education, it requires sustained investment in teacher development, adoption of learner-centered pedagogies, enhanced provision of laboratory infrastructure and systemic reforms that prioritise deep learning over examination performance.
On his part, the Lead Presenter from Department Science Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Professor Sani Sale Bichi, asserted that to transform STEM Education and enhance innovation, equity and sustainable development in the digital age of the 21st Century, Nigeria must consider transforming its human and material resources, curricular of STEM, the pedagogy of STEM, the STEM students and the general public for STEM which is the society.
While delivering her remarks, the Provost, College of Education and Legal Studies (COELS), Ringim, Dr. Jummai Ali Kazaure, disclosed that STEM education was central to national development as it drives innovation in every sector of the economy through enabling economic diversification, moving nations from commodity dependence to manufacturing industry and value added production. Dr. Kazaure further added that, for Nigeria to achieve the economic diversification it needs, the technological self-reliance it aspires to, and the sustainable development it has committed itself to, it must have a STEM education that is strong, equitable and fit to the demands of the 21st Century.
In his Vote of Thanks, the Convener of the Conference and Head of the Department of Science Education SLUK, Dr. Muhammad Alhaji Ibrahim, expressed his gratitude for the remarkable collaboration between the SLUK, COELS Ringim and Universitas PGRI Semarang, Indonesia which made the Conference possible. Dr. Ibrahim described the collaboration as a shining example of how international cooperation can drive academic excellence and global relevance.
A total of seventy (70) scholars participated in the Conference with 54 Physical presentations and 16 Virtual Presentations from Countries like Nigeria, Indonesia, Taiwan and Australia.
Highpoint of the occasion was unveiling of the maiden edition of Departmental Journal of the Department of Science Education by the Vice-Chancellor titled Kafin Hausa Journal of STEM Education.
Signed:
Sadiq Lawal,
Head of Public Relations,
SLUK.