The NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL)/Seplat Energy Joint Venture has commenced the training of 500 teachers drawn from schools in Edo State.
Stanley Opara, manager, Corporate Communications and Media Relations of Seplat, made the disclosure in a statement yesterday.
He said the director of External Affairs & Social Performance, Seplat Energy Plc, Chioma Afe, represented by Esther Icha, the general manager, Corporate Social Investment & Social Performance, Seplat Energy Plc, made the disclosure during the 2026 Seplat Teachers Empowerment Programme (STEP), onboarding workshop in Benin City, last weekend.
Opara said the programme would witness a significant expansion of STEP, which had, over the past six years, trained more than 2,000 teachers and education evaluators in Edo, Delta and Imo States.
He added that under the cohort, 500 teachers from Edo State will benefit from the knowledge-empowerment initiative.
He explained that the Seplat JV is investing heavily in the programme because education remains a critical part of Seplat Energy’s contribution to nation building, noting that teachers play a vital role in shaping the future of the country.
“Seplat is very committed to education. It’s critical to nation building, and everybody that is here has contributed in one way or the other to the life of one student or one child,” she said.
Further, Afe explained that the continued changes in education, including evolving curricula, technology and teaching approaches, make it necessary for teachers to continuously update their skills and adapt to emerging trends.
She stated that the STEP is designed to strengthen teachers both in the classroom, and their personal and professional development, by providing participants with access to facilitators, learning resources and platforms that expose them to developments in education and contemporary approaches to teaching.
Afe acknowledged the support of the JV Partner, NEPL, for consistently backing the initiative, and the Edo State Government for facilitating the participation of schools and teachers in the programme.
She encouraged the participants to embrace the offer, make the most of the training and translate their learning into improved outcomes for their students.
Speaking at the event, the Edo State Commissioner for Education, Washington Osa Osifo, commended Seplat Energy for the sustained contribution to education in the state and its long-standing partnership with the government.
He said “I am glad, and I thank you so much for not abandoning Edo State,” he said, even as he described Seplat as a “partner in progress”.
According to him, Seplat’s sustained engagement demonstrated the value of long-term collaboration between the government and the private sector in addressing challenges in the education sector.
Reflecting on the state’s previous education reforms, Osifo noted that investments in school infrastructure had helped make schools more attractive to students.
He however stressed that physical infrastructure alone could not deliver meaningful educational outcomes.
“Whereas the form is good, but content is always better,” he said, and stressed the need to complement infrastructure with effective administration, quality teaching and strong educational content.
Further, Osifo called on the teachers to ensure that the training translates into tangible improvements in their classrooms.
“After this investment in training, you are supposed to go back and manifest it. And we will measure it with the results that will proceed from you,” he said.
He encouraged teachers to remain committed to the state curriculum, avoid shortcuts and focus on helping students develop confidence in themselves and their abilities. Osifo also emphasised the importance of character, conduct and moral responsibility in teaching, urging educators to recognise the responsibility they have to shape the next generation.
On her part, Vice President HR Operations, Seplat Energy Plc, Emo Udobong-Ntia, encouraged the participants to build a culture of influence, leadership and mentorship to help them bond with their students and impact on them positively.
