NNPC Foundation Ltd. has launched the “Energy on Wheels Project for Schools,” a new initiative designed to take energy education and awareness directly to schools and communities across Nigeria as part of efforts to tackle the country’s energy challenges through youth-driven innovation.
The project was officially unveiled in Abuja during the “Battle of the Energy Titans” Awards Ceremony organised by the NNPC Foundation in partnership with the Oloibiri Oil and Gas Entrepreneurs Development (OLOGED) initiative, a non-profit organisation focused on promoting energy and environmental education in schools and local communities.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of NNPC Foundation Ltd., Mrs Emmanuella Arukwe, said the initiative was created to encourage young Nigerians to become active participants in solving the country’s energy deficit through creativity, innovation and the practical application of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM).
According to her, the Energy on Wheels Project is a strategic intervention aimed at deepening energy awareness among students while also encouraging Nigerians to understand their role in building a more sustainable energy future.
She explained that the project aligns with the broader vision of NNPC Ltd. to make energy accessible, affordable and sustainable for Nigerians across different communities.
Arukwe said the initiative would not only focus on education but would also help address issues affecting Nigeria’s energy infrastructure, including vandalism and other activities that negatively impact the country’s energy sector.
“We want Nigerians to see themselves as partners in the energy sector. Rather than working against energy development, they should work with us to help make energy more affordable and accessible for everyone,” she said.
“The Energy on Wheels project is not just for NNPC; it is for all Nigerians because it is about our collective energy future and sustainability.”
She stressed that energy poverty remains one of the major global challenges and warned that Nigeria must prepare its younger generation for the ongoing global energy transition.
According to her, the world is rapidly moving towards cleaner technologies, renewable energy systems and new innovations that require a skilled and prepared workforce.
“The world is moving at an incredibly fast pace. Energy poverty is real and urgent,” Arukwe said.
“The power that lights our homes, the fuel that drives our industries and the innovations that connect us must evolve. The energy transition is here, and Nigeria’s youth must be the ones leading the way.”
The NNPC Foundation boss also highlighted the Foundation’s investment in education and youth empowerment programmes, noting that the organisation is using education as a tool to create opportunities for young Nigerians.
She told participants at the event that the opportunity given to them through the initiative comes with responsibility and urged them to use the knowledge gained to create solutions and inspire others within their communities.
“You are among the few who have been given this opportunity, and it comes with responsibility. Use it to innovate, create and lead your peers,” she added.
Arukwe noted that NNPC Ltd., as Africa’s largest energy company, is making investments not only in gas and renewable energy but also in developing future innovators and leaders who can contribute to Nigeria’s long-term growth.
She revealed that since the establishment of the NNPC Foundation in 2023, the organisation has concentrated its interventions on four major areas including education, health, environment and access to energy.
According to her, the Foundation’s education empowerment programmes have already trained more than 500 Nigerian youths, helping them acquire employability and entrepreneurship skills in both science and creative sectors.
She further disclosed that the Foundation has also supported young creatives through the African Film Finance Forum (AFFF), providing support for entrepreneurial growth within the creative industry.
“Through initiatives such as the STEM Book Project, NYSC Empowerment Programme and Climate-Smart Agriculture training, we are equipping thousands of Nigerians with the skills to innovate, feed the nation and protect the environment,” she said.
Arukwe also announced that NNPC Ltd. would resume its annual NNPC STEM Competition, a programme aimed at encouraging scientific and technological innovation among young Nigerians.
The event also featured recognition for Arukwe’s contributions to energy sustainability and youth development as she received the Energy Champion Award from the OLOGED initiative.
The award was presented in recognition of her leadership role in advancing energy sustainability initiatives and efforts targeted at reducing energy poverty in Nigeria.
The launch of the Energy on Wheels Project further highlights the growing push by stakeholders in Nigeria’s energy sector to invest in education, innovation and youth development as the country continues to navigate energy transition and infrastructure challenges.
