LunagisthubRevitalizing Nigeria’s Education System: A Call to Action
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has issued a pressing call for Nigeria to revamp its education system to better prepare students for the demands of the 21st century. Speaking at the 13th Convocation Lecture of Nile University, TETFund Executive Secretary Sonny Echono emphasized the need for increased funding and a comprehensive overhaul of the curriculum .
According to Echono, Nigeria should strive to meet the UNESCO-recommended allocation of 15-20% of its national budget to education, significantly higher than the current 7%. He cited examples of countries like Rwanda and Kenya, which allocated 18% and 16% of their national budgets to education, respectively, resulting in notable improvements in educational development .
Echono highlighted the need for a significant overhaul of Nigeria’s education curriculum to align with the demands of the global labor market. This includes integrating digital literacy, entrepreneurship education, and technical skills across all education levels. Some of the key subjects that should be incorporated include
Digital Literacy To equip students with the skills needed to thrive in a technology-driven world
Entrepreneurship Education To foster innovation and job creation
Technical Skills To prepare students for the demands of the modern labor market
Data Science To equip students with data analysis and interpretation skills
Renewable Energy Technologies To promote sustainable development
Artificial Intelligence To prepare students for the future of work
Echono lamented that Nigeria’s education system is grossly misaligned with the requirements of the modern labor market, leading to high unemployment rates and social unrest. He emphasized that promoting the integration of ICT in education delivery is essential for future-proofing the Nigerian education system.
To address these challenges, TETFund is committed to enhancing the impact of its interventions. This includes
Increasing Funding Providing more resources for education infrastructure, research, and academic development
Research and Innovation Supporting research initiatives and promoting innovation in Nigerian universities
Academic Staff Training Providing training and development opportunities for academic staff
Upgrading and renovating dilapidated infrastructure in Nigerian tertiary institutions
By working together, stakeholders can revitalize Nigeria’s education system and equip students with the skills needed to succeed in the 21st century.
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