Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, has celebrated the successful conclusion of the Connected Learning for STEM (CL4STEM) project, an ambitious five-year international initiative aimed at enhancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education through teacher capacity, unity building and innovative pedagogical strategies.
Speaking at the closing ceremony held at the University Senate Building, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, commended the CL4STEM team for its outstanding achievements and the effective transfer of knowledge to educators across Nigeria.
Professor Hadi lauded the project’s far-reaching impact, stating, “What began as a STEM-focused initiative has evolved into a globally recognized educational movement. The gains recorded through CL4STEM reflect our University’s commitment to academic excellence and innovation.”
He described the project as a landmark effort that has transformed teaching practices across science, engineering, and mathematics disciplines, adding that IBBU remains committed to hosting similar impactful initiatives in the future.
The Vice Chancellor congratulated participants who successfully completed the program and hinted at forthcoming awards to recognize exceptional contributions. “We look forward to celebrating those who have distinguished themselves, and we are optimistic about the future of STEM education in Nigeria,” he added.
In his remarks, the CL4STEM Project Lead, Professor Mustapha Tajudeen, presented a comprehensive overview of the initiative and explained that the project was funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada and executed in partnership with Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), India; Open University of Tanzania; Samtse College of Education, Bhutan; Kaduna State University; Bayero University, Kano; and IBBU as the lead institution in Nigeria.
Professor Mustapha highlighted the project’s core objective: to enhance the quality of STEM education by equipping both in-service and pre-service teachers with inclusive, contextually relevant teaching methods. The project integrated research components to monitor outcomes and ensure long-term sustainability.
He added that Between 2021 and 2024, the CL4STEM project directly trained 150 science teachers across Niger, Kaduna, and Kano States, with an additional 300 teachers reached through mentorship programs. Teachers were drawn from over 40 secondary schools, and many received professional development credits certified by the Teacher Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).
A notable milestone was the training of 48 master trainers in collaboration with the Niger State Teacher Professional Development Institute. These trainers subsequently mentored 380 teachers using the CRP-STEM model, which has been endorsed as a high-quality framework for science instruction.
Additionally, CL4STEM developed a model curriculum now integrated into the pre-service teacher education programs at IBBU, Kaduna State University, and Bayero University, Kano. The curriculum was formally approved by the academic senates of the respective universities and will be implemented from the 2024/2025 academic session.
The project also made significant strides in fostering institutional and governmental collaboration. Ministries of Education in Niger, Kaduna, Kano, and Oyo States have adopted elements of the CL4STEM model, while discussions are ongoing with the Federal Ministry of Education to replicate the approach nationwide. Two CL4STEM experts from IBBU have already been nominated to help establish Communities of Practice (CoPs) for science teachers in Federal Unity Colleges.
Beyond national borders, the project facilitated international knowledge exchange through virtual webinars and training sessions involving educators from Bhutan, Tanzania, and India, reinforcing the project’s global orientation.
The final project report has been approved by IDRC, officially marking the end of the implementation phase. Plans are now underway to transition into a national scale-up, backed by strong policy support and institutional partnerships.
The event presented some of the beneficiaries with certificates and also honoured late Professor Obaje, former Global Lead of the CL4STEM project, whose contributions are being commemorated through a legacy initiative dedicated to sustaining and expanding the project’s vision.
With this milestone, IBBU Lapai continues to assert its leadership in educational innovation, not just in Nigeria but across the Global South, positioning itself as a key player in global efforts to reform and strengthen STEM education.
