Kwara Targets Energy, Security Solutions with Student Science Exhibition

​ILORIN – In a strategic move to bridge the gap between classroom theory and practical societal impact, the Kwara State Government has finalized plans to host a major science exhibition and competition for secondary school students.

​The event, which is set to run from May 13 to May 20, 2026, will be hosted at the Queen Elizabeth Secondary School, Ilorin. Daily sessions are scheduled to commence at 10:00 am, drawing young innovators from across the Kwara Central Senatorial District.

​Driving Practical Innovation

​Organized by the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, the initiative is themed “Innovative Solutions to Nigeria’s Energy and Security Crises.” According to the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, the programme is a cornerstone of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s broader vision to revolutionize STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education in the state.

​”The idea is to get our students to think critically and apply what they learn in classrooms to solve real-life challenges,” Olohungbebe stated on Monday. “We want to shift our students from theoretical learning to practical innovation that addresses power generation, national security, and food sustainability.”

​A Broad Scientific Scope

​The exhibition will serve as a competitive platform where students will present projects across several thematic areas:

• ​Energy Solutions: Innovative designs for power generation and renewable energy.

• ​National Security: Technology-driven ideas to bolster public safety.

• ​Environmental Sustainability: Protections for the ecosystem and clean water initiatives.

• ​Healthcare & Food Security: Scientific approaches to medical delivery and agricultural resilience.

​Building a Digital Future

​This exhibition follows the state’s recent momentum in digital literacy. Earlier this year, the administration launched the 2026 Coding and Digital Literacy Programme, integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Python programming into the public school curriculum.

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​The Governor, who recently commissioned a multi-million naira smart school project in Katsina as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, remains committed to positioning Kwara as a leading hub for digital and scientific excellence.

​Dr. Olohungbebe noted that the exhibition is not merely a competition but a talent-scouting mission. “This is a platform for discovering young talents capable of contributing practical solutions to Nigeria’s most pressing hurdles. We are building a system where young people are equipped to compete globally,” he added.

​Parents, educators, and stakeholders in the technology sector are expected to attend the week-long event, which promises to showcase the next generation of Nigerian engineers and scientists.