LRF Addresses STEM and STEAM Issues In Nigeria

The Literary Renaissance Foundation (LRF), held its Reading Cultural Dialogue on 14 April 2025 via Zoom, to discuss STEM To STEAM Issues in Nigeria’s educational sector.

According to the host, Babatunde Oladele, STEM fields include Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics,  etc., while STEAM adds  Art-related courses to the mix. In Nigeria, dominance has historically been given to STEM  (Sciences) over  STEAM  (Arts). The meeting aimed to explore: Why does this gap exist? How can it be bridged? What are the drawbacks? And what policies can help resolve the issue?

A panelist remarked that if the STEAM field is given proper attention, students will develop  greater problem-solving abilities. She shared an example  of  a pharmacy (STEM ) student who won a scholarship to study abroad through writing—a skill developed through the Arts (STEAM ). Olabisi noted that before the introduction of the 6-3-3-4 educational system, there  existed  the College of Arts and Sciences, which provided students with a balanced education in  both science and the arts. She emphasised  how students in that era had a broader and richer vocabulary across disciplines,  compared to today’s system where the arts are often marginalised.

Julius argued that the arts are not subordinate to the sciences, citing Wole Soyinka—Nigeria’s  first  Nobel laureate– who came from the arts. ,  Mr Omaro added that the arts foster creative thinking and   involve practical exercises that enhance the  students’ innovation and imagination.

Some Policy Options To Consider:

1. Strengthening Funding and Infrastructure for Arts Education: The Ministry of Education should increase its budget allocation for arts education. Furthermore, private companies in the creative and tech industries should collaborate with schools to support STEAM courses. One panelist noted that while science courses often receive more funding, support for both fields should be balanced.  It was also suggested  that schools should not be entirely shut down during disruptions, as digital  learning options exist. Adiboma added that even scientists must be able to  express themselves and communicate effectively–skills that come from the arts. He suggested the recognition of champions in the arts to help push relevant policies forward.
2. Enforcing Interdisciplinary Teaching Methods: A key barrier is the rigid separation between  STEM and Arts subjects making it difficult for students to connect  scientific advancements with  artistic expression. Panelists proposed integrating  Art and STEM for a more connected learning.

“There should be interdisciplinary collaboration,” said Mr Sam. Another contributor added that this collaboration should not be limited to subjects alone, but should also involve cooperation among   teachers.

3. Expanding Career Pathways and Public Awareness for the Arts: A major challenge in Nigeria’s education system is the lack of visibility and support for art-related career opportunities. Mr Samson suggested that the government should include arts education in its  budget planning and increase public awareness of the value and potential of careers in the arts.

The dialogue  concluded with reflections and contributions from both the panelists and the audience, reinforcing the need for a more inclusive, interdisciplinary, and balanced educational system in Nigeria.

Also Read: LRF Discusses STEM Challenges & Ways to Bridge Up Gaps in Nigeria