By Funmilayo Adeyemi
The Executive Director, Oloibiri Oil and Gas Entrepreneurship Development Initiative (OLOGEDI), Onome Wilkinson, has called for a youth-driven energy transformation in Nigeria.
Wilkinson made the call during the Youth Energy STEAM Festival (YES-FEST 2025) for secondary school students in Abuja on Monday.
She noted that the future of the nation’s energy sector lied not in the hands of politicians or oil rigs, but in the hands of young people.
She recounted the emotional moment that sparked the creation of YES-FEST years ago in the creeks of Bayelsa where a young boy told her his dream was to “become a militant”.
“That moment shook me. Not because he was defiant, but because his dream reflected the reality around him, a reality shaped by neglect, poverty, and a lack of exposure.
“Right there, I made a silent vow that no child should ever think violence is the only way to be heard. That moment gave birth to what you see today — the Youth Energy STEAM Festival (YES-FEST),” she said.
She said YES-FEST was designed to inspire, educate, and equip young Nigerians with skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM).
She also said this would help expose young ones to the vast possibilities within the energy sector, that OLOGEDI’s mission was however to ensure young people not only understand their place in conversations about energy but begin contributing early.
“We don’t want them to get it wrong before they get it right. We want them informed, inspired, and involved,” she said.
In a powerful “I have a dream” declaration reminiscent of Martin Luther King Jr., she painted a picture of an empowered generation of children from creeks and cities designing clean energy solutions together.
According to her, I have a dream of girls leading in laboratories, power plants, and boardrooms; students building models and launching innovations; and a Niger Delta transformed from conflict to creativity.
She emphasised that with the right STEAM-driven exposure, Nigeria could raise “a new breed of energypreneurs and change-makers” capable of powering the nation with ideas instead of anger.
“What if every community school became an energy innovation hub? What if we could help every child in the Niger Delta see light instead of limitations?” she asked.
The executive director urged young participants to embrace curiosity and boldness, reminding them that the nation’s energy transition depended on their passion and innovation.
In a keynote address, Mrs Emmanuella Arukwe, Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Foundation Ltd., reiterated the foundation’s commitment to driving Nigeria’s energy transition through investment in youth empowerment and innovation.
Arukwe expressed hope at the passion and creativity demonstrated by young participants, describing them as “the shining light of Nigeria’s energy future”.
She noted that the dreams of young Nigerians were critical to shaping a sustainable energy landscape for the country.
“The world is changing rapidly, and energy transition is now a global priority. This festival is designed to equip our young people with the knowledge and capacity to drive Nigeria’s sustainable future through STEAM,” she said.
She highlighted the significance of Nigeria’s youth population, noting that over 80 million Nigerians fall within the 10–24 age brackets.
“This is a critical mass. If properly harnessed, these young minds will transform Nigeria’s energy future,” she added.
She outlined several initiatives already transforming the education, health, environment, and energy-access landscape across the country.
In education, she said the foundation had distributed over 40,200 STEAM learning kits to secondary schools across all 36 states and the FCT.
She said in addition, the foundation had trained one million NYSC members in financial literacy as well as supported 500 young entrepreneurs, among others.
She emphasised that the global shift to cleaner energy would not be led by machines, but by “active, innovative young minds”.
She, therefore, encouraged students to be bold, curious, and responsible in their pursuit of energy solutions.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured a national energy 360 debate competition among secondary school students. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Deborah Coker
