The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has emphasized the need for a collective effort to reform Nigeria's education system, which it describes as "broken." The NESG's Community of Practice on Youth (CoPYouth) and Human Capital Development Thematic Group convened a pre-summit dialogue to address the quality of education, access to schooling, skills training, and job readiness. The session aimed to identify practical solutions to revamp the education pipeline.
Ms. Ozofu Ogiemudia, Chair of the NES#32 Central Organising Committee, stressed that a good education system must be built from the foundation to the top, encompassing early learning, access to higher education, curriculum development, and transition from school to work. She urged participants to focus on actionable, scalable, and financeable solutions with clear responsibilities and measurable targets. This approach seeks to move beyond merely listing problems and toward tangible progress.
Mr. Oluwatobi Oseni, leader of the Human Capital Development Thematic Group, described the current education pipeline as "broken," citing weaknesses at each stage that hinder progress. He pointed to the large number of out-of-school children, poor basic reading and numeracy skills, declining exam results, and difficulties faced by young people in finding productive employment. Oseni emphasized that the system's success should be measured by learners' ability to contribute to national productivity, rather than just the number of certificates issued.
Dr. Moses Sichei, Chief Social Policy at UNICEF, highlighted the need for university research to be relevant to industry and tackle real-world problems. He advocated for entrepreneurship, innovation, and digital skills to be integrated into university curricula, along with increased mentorship, internships, and industry partnerships. Sichei also suggested that students with promising business ideas should receive support to develop them into viable businesses that create jobs.
Professor Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, emphasized that universities should evolve beyond teaching, research, and community service to become centers of innovation and enterprise. He called for closer ties between universities and industry, including more professionals engaging in mentoring, internships, and teaching. Fawehinmi also stressed the importance of digital skills and supporting students who show a talent for business to develop their ideas.
Ms. Chikaodi Onyemerela, Director of Programmes and Partnerships at the British Council, echoed the need for university research to focus on practical challenges faced by businesses and industries. She encouraged institutions to demonstrate the value of their research through innovations, inventions, and patents. Onyemerela also highlighted the importance of Enterprise Development Centres in universities and their role in driving entrepreneurship and job creation.
The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) reiterated its commitment to improving access to basic education and its quality. Hajiya Maryam Sani Rangaji, Director of Teachers Professional Development, emphasized the need for better school infrastructure, qualified teachers, and continued efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children. The session concluded with a focus on translating dialogue into action, with participants agreeing to prioritize interventions, identify private-sector partners, and clarify areas for collaboration to improve education outcomes.
Key points
- NESG calls for collective action to address shortcomings in Nigeria's education pipeline
- Stakeholders emphasize need for practical solutions, industry partnerships, and focus on skills training
- Reform efforts aim to improve access to education, job readiness, and national productivity
