Minister of Education, Tajudeen Abbas, stated that the strategic move aims to enhance education quality, foster critical thinking, and equip students with the necessary skills to thrive in a dynamic world.

He emphasized the importance of a robust educational foundation and highlighted the need for updates to meet contemporary educational demands and national aspirations.

“The world is changing rapidly and our education system must keep pace with the changes,” Abbas said.

“We need a curriculum that not only imparts knowledge but also develops the critical thinking and problem-solving skills of our young learners. This review will involve key stakeholders, including educators, parents, and industry experts, to ensure a holistic approach to curriculum development.”

The review process will encompass various aspects of the curriculum, including content, teaching methodologies, and assessment strategies. It will also integrate modern technology and innovative practices to create an engaging and effective learning environment for students.

Abbas urged stakeholders to actively participate in the review process, noting that public consultations and forums would be organized to gather input and recommendations from diverse groups.

He emphasized that the revised curriculum should reflect the needs and aspirations of Nigerian society.

“The Federal Government remains committed to improving the quality of education at all levels and believes that this curriculum review is a critical step towards achieving that goal. By equipping students with relevant skills and knowledge, the government aims to build a brighter future for the next generation and contribute to the nation’s overall development,” Abbas said.

He highlighted the necessity of data-driven approaches to tackle challenges such as tracking school enrollment and teacher allocation.

He reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s and the Ministry’s commitment to prioritizing education as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s development agenda. Abbas expressed gratitude to stakeholders for their dedication and called for continued collaboration.

Additionally, Prof. Ifeoma Abanehe, Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the National Business for Technical Examination Board (NABTEB), announced the commencement of a comprehensive review of the technical college syllabus.

This initiative, undertaken by various stakeholders, aims to modernize the curriculum to meet current societal demands and enhance technological development in the country.

Abanehe underscored the significance of adapting to contemporary requirements and assured that the changes would take effect immediately, with plans for implementation and distribution following a five-day review period.

The revamping process will include updating the National Business Certificate and National Technical Certificate.

Speaking at the event held at the Old Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja, Tinubu emphasized the transformative power of education in empowering girls and promoting gender equality.

He commended the OAFLAD for its campaign launch, highlighting the critical importance of the Nigerian launch focusing on “Education as a Powerful Tool for Change.”

“We must continue to create opportunities for all our children to access quality education without leaving anyone behind, particularly the girl child,” Tinubu stressed.

He applauded the commitment of African First Ladies, members of OAFLAD, to advancing gender equality and narrowing the gender gap in opportunities across the continent.

Tinubu specifically acknowledged the efforts of his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, in championing education as a primary tool for gender equality advocacy nationwide.

Highlighting the significance of the campaign’s launch in Nigeria, Tinubu underscored the crucial role of education in Africa’s development and achieving gender equity.

He emphasized the importance of enacting laws and policies that protect women’s rights, invest in girls’ education and skills development, and create economic opportunities accessible to all.

Reaffirming his commitment, Tinubu pledged to ensure that no Nigerian child is excluded from quality education, enabling women and girls to lead and effect positive changes in their communities.

Tinubu urged stakeholders to join hands in advancing the campaign to empower girls and promote gender equality, emphasizing the potential of an educated girl-child to drive transformative change in African communities.

Adedeji, along with the Executive Secretary of the Board, Dr. Akintunde Sawyerr, disclosed this information during a briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The deployment of the Education Tax Fund in the scheme aims to enhance government accountability to taxpayers, according to Adedeji. Sawyerr emphasized that the loan application process would involve an App designed specifically for this purpose, ensuring a streamlined and intervention-free experience for applicants.

The government’s primary objective is to enable young Nigerians to pursue tertiary education without financial constraints, preventing them from being forced to abandon their studies due to lack of funds.

Sawyerr highlighted the importance of the student loan scheme in helping individuals choose their desired career paths and avoiding perilous journeys undertaken by Nigerian youths seeking education opportunities abroad.

Sawyerr further revealed that the loan disbursements would be directed straight to the institutions of successful applicants, easing the financial burden on both students and their parents.

While every Nigerian is eligible to apply for the loan, priority will be given to the most financially needy individuals.

Adedeji concluded by stating that the implementation of the student loan scheme aligns with the government’s commitment to making education accessible to all, utilizing the Education Tax Fund as a means to uphold education integrity and quality.

The institute made this plea in a statement issued on Thursday, following the conclusion of a three-day conference held at the NTI headquarters in Kaduna.

The conference, themed “Re-directing the Focus of Education Stakeholders Towards Modern Process of Producing Competent, Dedicated and Professional Teachers in Nigeria,” aimed to address crucial issues in the education sector.

In the statement signed by Prof. Musa Garba-Maitafsir, the Director of the Institute, it was emphasized that an increase in the budget allocation for education is imperative.

The suggested augmentation is intended to enhance infrastructure, delivery methods, and overall educational quality, among other crucial aspects.

The statement further highlighted the need for an improvement in the remuneration of all teachers, aligning it with the current economic realities of the country.

The NTI underscored the importance of addressing disparities in teacher training, resource allocation, and the adoption of effective teaching practices in Nigeria.

TETFund’s Executive Secretary, Arc Sunny Echono, made this revelation during an interactive session with leaders of beneficiary institutions in Abuja, where he discussed disbursement guidelines for the 2024 intervention cycle.

Echono attributed this exceptional revenue increase to several factors, including the approval of a 3 percent share of accessible profit by both former and present administrations, as well as measures implemented by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in partnership with TETFund.

In response to the improved tax collections in 2024, TETFund has allocated a significant increase in annual direct disbursements as part of its intervention program.

Approximately 90.54 percent of the taxes generated will be directly disbursed, with 6.5 percent designated for specific projects and 2.94 percent for stabilization efforts.

Echono also announced plans to expand the Special High Impact Programme (SHIP) with upgrades to laboratories, workshops, and equipment in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education (technical) for the 2024 Intervention Year.

Additionally, the Early Grade Resource Centers Phase II will be extended to Colleges of Education accredited by the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE).

He called upon external stakeholders, including the National Assembly, to minimize distractions and support TETFund’s efforts to elevate tertiary institutions to the envisioned heights set by President Bola Tinubu.

In response, Prof Paulinus Okwelle, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), commended TETFund for its commendable activities in colleges of education throughout the nation.

The governor made this declaration during the unveiling of Ogombo Senior High School, located in the Eti-Osa East Local Government Area, which was generously donated by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO).

He acknowledged COWLSO’s substantial role in the realization of the government’s vision for education and technology, which forms a crucial component of the administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S + Agenda.

Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed gratitude to COWLSO, noting that the organization, since its revival in 2000 under the leadership of Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, wife of the then governor of the state, has consistently played a significant and complementary role in supporting the state government’s initiatives.

He added, “The inauguration of this purpose-built 15-classroom block is another success story in the efforts of our administration to provide educational infrastructure for effective learning and teaching in a conducive environment.

“It is very important to note that this block of classrooms, comprising three floors, was designed with adequate provision for the needs of physically challenged pupils. This is in compliance with global standards and our T.H.E.M.E.S.+ policy thrust of not leaving anyone behind.”

Earlier, the wife of the governor and Chairman of COWLSO, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, said the project was done in partnership with the Lagos State Committee on Rehabilitation of Public Schools.

Upon their entrance into office, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Andrew David Adejo, and other prominent figures within the education sector welcomed the ministers.

Prof. Mammam, addressing the occasion, called for nationwide support to facilitate the much-needed transformation in the education sector.

He expressed, “If the education sector is fixed, every other thing will work perfectly in the country since the ministry is the foundation of all.”

Acknowledging the high expectations for the sector, he underlined President Tinubu’s strong commitment to orchestrating a profound turnaround.

In a similar vein, Minister of State Dr. Sununu appealed for cooperation and understanding from Nigerians, with a particular emphasis on the ministry’s staff, as a collective effort to enhance educational standards.

The Permanent Secretary assured of his collaboration with the ministers to ensure the success of their initiatives.

Prior to his appointment, Prof. Mammam held the position of Vice-Chancellor at Baze University.

He also served as the Director-General of the Nigeria Law School from 2005 to 2013. In 2015, he was honored with the title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and is a recognized member of the Body of Benchers.

Born in 1954, he earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from Ahmadu Bello University in 1983, followed by his attendance at the Nigerian Law School in 1984, and further studies culminating in a Master’s degree from the University of Warwick.

Dr. Sununu, previously a medical doctor, brings his experience as a former member of the House of Representatives to his new role in education.

The International Children’s Day of Broadcasting (ICDB, celebrated every 4th of March was instituted by the Children’s charity in 1991 to galvanize support among broadcasters on global issues that affect children.

“It’s a day broadcasters allow children to be part of the programming process, to talk about their hopes, dreams and exchange ideas with their peers on issues affecting them, a statement by UNICEF says.

The Theme for the 2023 commemoration, ‘More money for primary education’, is a direct reflection of the need for more investment in education following the recorded deficits caused by the out-of-school children syndrome in the country.

Although primary education in Nigeria is officially free and compulsory, about 18 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 do not attend any formal classes and have never been to school.

“Only 61 percent of 6 -year-olds regularly attend primary school” says UNICEF”.

The body is now calling for more funding in the basic education sector to get more children out of the streets and into the classrooms.

It said qualitative education remains the bedrock of enhanced knowledge, improved behaviour and personal growth of children.

ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, disclosed this at the weekend at the 14th Ralph Opara Memorial Lecture organised by the National Association of Seadogs( Pyrates Confraternity) with the theme: ‘State of Tertiary Education in Nigeria: Identifying Historical Issues and Misconceptions; Contemplating Solutions’ at the Akin Deko Auditorium, University of Benin.

According to him, Nigerians must insist that future leaders in the country must bring back their children to Nigerian tertiary institutions.

He said the 2023 election offers an opportunity for Nigerians to elect leaders that believe in the country and not those that have plundered “our commonwealth.”

Speaking further, he listed six challenges facing education which include;  poor funding, poor recruitment policies, interference from various groups, proliferation of universities, poor remuneration of lecturers and inferiority complex, and urge to send children to foreign universities.

Osodeke who delved into history pointing out the Structural Adjustment Programme foisted on the country by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund said introduction of political consideration into appointment in the Universities is a major drawback.

“Members of Councils including the Pro-Chancellors are supposed to be people who can contribute in terms of knowledge and ability to source funds for the University. Appointment into Governing Council is now based on politics and the creation of jobs for jobless politicians. Today, members of the Governing Councils are more interested in honoraria, jobs for relatives and friends, and the award of contracts.

“It is sad and shameful that the appointment of Vice-Chancellors has become political appointments. The process is now influenced by sentiments, politics, religion, ethnicity, and “son-of-the-soil” syndrome, godfatherism, and regionalism. In the 1970s and 1980s, Vice-Chancellors were appointed without political and tribal considerations; hence Professor Kenneth Dike could be the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan. Today, the appointment of Vice-Chancellors is ethnic-based and in most cases with political Godfather who dictates how the university fund should be managed to the detriment of the Nigerian people.”

He however advocated for fresh thinking in terms of funding, governance and non-interference from political groups and vested interest to allow the University function optimally.

In his welcome address, the NAS Capoon, Mr Abiola Owoaje said the Ralph Opara Memorial Lecture had become a rallying point for deep introspection on national and international issues.

He disclosed that the choice of the theme reflects “our deep concern for the decadence that tertiary education has become in Nigeria”.

Many of us were schooled in Nigeria when our tertiary institutions were indeed citadels of learning, intellectual fervour flamed, and ideological orientations were anchored on learning and making Nigeria progressively great. Now the situation is pathetic. Our citadels of learning have become breeding grounds for gangsterism, extremist elements and festering criminality. Worse, successive Nigerian Governments have paid lip service to the development of education.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by NANS Coordinator and Spokesperson, Adegboye Olatunji and Awoyinfa Opeoluwa, respectively, on Monday.

The student body said they would be hitting the streets again in the coming days.

Part of the statement read: “It behooves us to call the attention of the general public and the international community on the brazen insult meted on the Nigerian students by the irresponsible administration of Buhari.

“We want Nigerian students to be ready for a grand mass action on the ASUU strike. We are clear that this government is anti-public education and this is against the yearnings of millions of students and youths.

“In coming days, we shall be occupying the streets across the South-West region to conduct a final burial rite of public education in the country as this is what the Buhari’s administration represents,” the statement concluded.