TotalEnergies’ Impactful Contributions to Nigeria’s Learning Landscape

 As the number of out-of-school chil- dren in Nigeria continues to rise, the federal government has signaled its commitment to reducing this figure through strategic partnerships. To-talEnergies, a key private sector player, has shown a strong willingness to engage in such collaborations and has a longstanding interest in addressing educational challenges in Nigeria.

TotalEnergies operates across the entire oil and gas value chain, with a presence in Nigeria spanning over 60 years and employing more than 1,800 people in various business seg- ments. The country is a significant contributor to TotalEnergies’ hydrocarbon production, and the company maintains an extensive distribution network comprising approximately 540 service stations. In all its operations, TotalEnergies emphasizes its dedication to the socio-economic de- velopment of the country and actively collaborates with federal and state governments and local communities.

As a global multi-energy company involved in oil, biofuels, natural gas, green gases, renewables, and electricity, TotalEnergies boasts over 100,000 employees commit- ted to making energy affordable, sustainable, reliable, and accessible worldwide. Operating in nearly 130 countries, the company places sustainable development at the core of its projects to contribute to people’s well-being.

TotalEnergies is deeply engaged in Nigeria’s educational development and remains determined to play a significant role. The company has consistently demonstrated a high level of interest in the educational advancement of Nigerian students, pledging to promote reading and encourage youths to adopt reading as a way of life. TotalEnergies, as a hub of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)-driven innovations, leverages its technological expertise to pioneer developments in Nigeria’s deepwater sector.

Through strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, TotalEnergies has actively contributed to improving STEM learning and creating better career opportunities for Nigerians in STEM professions. Notable initia- tives include the Institute of Petroleum Studies (IPS), MIT–Empowering the Teacher (MIT-ETT), African University of Science and Technology (AUST), and the Sponsorship of Professional Associations.

The IPS, established in 2003 through an international collaboration, has graduated about 544 students at postgraduate and master’s degree levels. The MIT-ETT program aims to enable outstanding young Nigerian faculty in science and engineering to collaborate with MIT in devel- oping new curricula and teaching methods.

The ETT fellowship program, launched in 2013, has seen over 90 lecturers from Nigerian univer- sities participate, benefiting from exposure to innovative teaching methods used at MIT.

Mr. Matthieu Bouyer, Managing Director of TotalEnergies Upstream Nigeria Limited, highlighted the company’s commitment to educational initia- tives like ETT, emphasizing its posi- tive impact on the quality of learning in Nigeria.

Bouyer explained that the MIT- ETT program aims to revolutionize science and engineering teaching in African tertiary institutions, fos- tering critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. He expressed optimism about the future of science and engineering education in Nigeria, anticipating increased benefits as more lecturers participate in the knowledge exchange program.

Beyond the MIT-ETT scheme, TotalEnergies’ contributions to education development in Nigeria and Africa encompasses various sec- tors. Bouyer emphasized aligning these investments with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, which calls for ‘Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education and Promotion of Lifelong Learning Op- portunities for All.’

These investments are integral to TotalEnergies’ internal sustainabil- ity Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), particularly the goal of creating value for society. Bouyer concluded by noting the historic significance of the event in TotalEnergies’ operations in Nigeria, celebrating the company’s substantial contributions over the last 60 years and its continued commitment to making a positive impact in the new chapter ahead.”

Commending TotalEnergies for its significant role in advancing science and engineering education, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, expressed appreciation for the company’s impactful contribution. She noted that TotalEnergies,

through the ETT programme, has planted a seed in the African educa- tion system that will yield substantial benefits for future generations. Joining her were ten other university vice-chancellors who gathered to deliberate on the future of engineering education in Nigeria.

The ceremony also recognized the outstanding contributions of uni- versity lecturers, with seven educators receiving awards for their excellence in teaching, exceptional achievements in research, and innovative contributions to curriculum development. Representatives from the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) and education ministries from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, and Ondo states attended the event.

In addition to empowering teachers, TotalEnergies has actively participated in eradicating illiteracy and empowering youth with essential tools and skills. The company supports students through its TotalEnergies L.E.A.D Career project, designed for selected secondary school students nationwide.

The 10th edition of the initiative, themed ‘Building a sustainable future through youth leadership,’ recently took place in Lagos. The program focused on career planning, collabo- ration, communication, and conflict management, comprising interactive sessions, job shadowing, and visits to TotalEnergies depots.

Adesua Adewole, General Manager of TotalEnergies’ Country Services, advised students to set and pursue goals while emphasizing the importance of following established rules in their career paths. Climate change and sustainability expert Mr. Israel Okeyinya guided students on cli- mate change basics and its impact on humanity, introducing them to the significance of the Sustainable De- velopment Goals for the country’s economy.

Dr. Samba Seye, Managing Director of TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeria PLC, highlighted the initiative’s evolution from a physical event in 2014 to a hybrid model with increased nationwide participation. He noted the company’s commitment to the education of young people and the substantial impact of educational initiatives like the L.E.A.D Career project.

Mrs. Omolaoye Adebisi, Principal Education Officer of Education District 4, Lagos State Ministry of Education, expressed the ministry’s passion for students’ development and encouraged collaborations with organizations like TotalEnergies. She specifically urged female students to explore opportunities in the field of engineering alongside their male counterparts.

“As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy for various communities in Nigeria, the company embarked on a significant initiative in 2022, constructing and commissioning a model secondary school project at Government College, Makurdi in Benue. This two-floor model secondary school, situated on 2,500 square meters, is poised to provide students with access to modern-day learning tools and science equipment.

Mr.  Mike  Sangster,  Managing Di- rector of TotalEnergies E&P Nigeria Limited, represented by Mr. Lucky Deekor, emphasized the company’s commitment to promoting youth ed- ucation. Sangster stated, ‘TotalEnergies believes that the school project will provide students access to modern-day learning and science exper- imentation tools and ignite their in- terest in the study of STEM courses.’

Providing an overview of the project, Sangster highlighted vital features, including a well-designed adminis- trative block with furnished offices, a sick bay, a first aid room, and storage facilities. He detailed, ‘The project we are commissioning today includes all the necessary components for a modern school, such as a well-designed administrative block, furnished of- fices, a sick bay, a first aid room, and storage facilities.

The main school block boasts two floors, ten offices for teachers and technical rooms, twelve furnished classrooms, five cutting-edge science laboratories, two libraries, and one fully equipped ICT laboratory.’

The principal of Government College, Makurdi, Mrs. Aumbur Agena, expressed gratitude to TotalEnergies and other partners for their support in building the facility. She noted that the  intervention  would  provide a  better learning environment for the students and appealed to the Benue state government for a school bus to ease students.

Similarly, in 2021, TotalEnergies Upstream commissioned a state-of- the-art secondary school structure at Community Secondary School, Ufuma, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra state. This initiative aligns with TotalEnergies Upstream CSR’s commitment to pro- viding qualitative education within its operating area, contributing to the UN’s sustainable development goals.

Speaking at the commissioning and handing over ceremony, Sangster emphasized that the projects across the country aimed to address gaps in qualitative and technical education, maternal and child health, access to clean water, and women and youth empowerment. He thanked NNPC and PSC partners for their support in deploying these local development projects.

Apart from these CSR projects, To- talEnergies has educational intervention projects and programs across many states of the federation, particularly in the Niger Delta region. In its Africa Division, the Marketing and Services segment runs a yearly graduate program. It provides job skills acquisition opportunities for 80 new graduates with local and internation- al experiences from over thirty African countries. Since 2014, more than 550 young people have participated in this program, contributing to their professional growth.”