TotalEnergies’ contributions to education development in Nigeria and indeed Africa go beyond MIT-ETT scheme
By Matthieu Bouyer
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to this special occasion of the celebratory symposium of the Empowering The Teachers (ETT) fellowship programme held in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This programme is another educational initiative that TotalEnergies, in collaboration with NNPC Limited and partners, has continued to invest in to further improve the quality of learning in Nigeria.
Under the ETT programme, academics selected from African universities spend one intensive and inclusive semester acquiring knowledge on the innovative and cutting-edge teaching methods used at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to mould students into industry-ready products. The aim of this is to foster new ways of teaching science and engineering in African tertiary institutions in a bid to produce experts in that field who can compete with their counterparts in other regions of the world in terms of critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. The experience of the academics at MIT is expected to culminate in the development of new courses and the modification of existing ones in a bid to revolutionise science and engineering teaching in African tertiary institutions.
In Nigeria, for example, we are glad to see the impact the MIT-ETT scheme is already making in tertiary education. Since 2013, over 90 university lecturers have benefited from the programme in the country. We are excited for the promise the near future holds for science and engineering education in Nigeria, especially because as we expect more lecturers to benefit from this knowledge exchange programme. Interestingly, TotalEnergies’ contributions to education development in Nigeria and indeed Africa go beyond the MIT-ETT scheme; all across the sector, the company’s footprints are visible.
For instance, in December 2023, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Institute of Petroleum and Energy Studies, which is the fruit of a partnership between the Institut Francais du Petrole (IFP School) and the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Since its inception in 2003, IPES has produced hundreds of MSc. graduates in Petroleum Engineering and Project Development, and post-graduate diploma holders in Petroleum Technology. Graduates of the IPES programme are today spread throughout the oil and gas industry, adding value in different ways to the sector. Our engagement with the institute is, however, not limited to funding alone. TotalEnergies also provides practical learning opportunities to MSc and PGD graduates through post-graduation internships and mentoring. Our employees, subject experts in their various fields, volunteer to join the faculty of the IPES, providing relevant industry perspectives.
That is not all. Not too long ago, TotalEnergies donated truckloads of geoscience equipment to six universities across the country, including the University of Lagos, the Federal University of Technology, Akure, the University of Ilorin, the University of Ibadan, the University of Port Harcourt, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
The company has also invested in various scholarship schemes, including the National Merit Scholarship Scheme, from which over 30,000 students have benefited since 2003. The TotalEnergies International Scholarship, jointly sponsored by NNPC Ltd. and partners, has equally seen several Nigerians undergo post-graduate studies overseas, with over 150 graduates since inception. There is also our Community Scholarship Scheme, which has existed since 1973 and has benefitted hundreds of students in host communities across Nigeria at the undergraduate and post graduate level.
Indeed, TotalEnergies is proud to be linked to all these educational interventions because they all align with Goal # 4 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which calls for “inclusive and equitable quality education and promotion of lifelong learning opportunities for all”. These investments are important to us as they are in sync with our internal sustainability KPIs, one of which is creating value for society.
This event is coming at a historic time in TotalEnergies’ operations in Nigeria. Having contributed immensely to the development of this great country over the last 60 years and a worldwide pioneer in producing energies for 100 years, we are proud of our remarkable journey and the huge potential that this new chapter presents.
As a responsible organisation, TotalEnergies has continued to ensure that the impacts of all its operations are managed in a way that helps preserve the environment, biodiversity, and freshwater resources in a bid to promote an inclusive economy. Also, our commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 along with society and transitioning to low carbon energy solutions for a cleaner and safer environment remains as assured as ever.
As I welcome you to this event once again, I am happy to reassure you all that, as a responsible energy company that understands and appreciates the value of education and its role in the development and growth of any human society, TotalEnergies will continue to support initiatives such as the MIT-ETT programme for the benefit of humanity. Thank you for your attention.
