President Muhammadu Buhari has made it clear that Nigerian is facing numerous challenges in education and all other sectors as a result of historical abuses, mindless impunity and corruption.Saying that such situation is not news to anyone, Buhari regretted that the state of education in Nigeria calls for a serious concern.
The President, who spoke today, Monday, at the opening of the Presidential Summit on Education in Nigeria, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said that the problem of education in Nigeria is no longer a secret, said: “the quality of education in Nigeria requires greater attention and improvement.”He said that an estimated 13.2 million children out of school, high illiteracy level, infrastructural deficit and decay, unqualified teachers, and inadequate instructional materials, among numerous others, had shown the effect of decades of neglect that the education sector has suffered.He made it clear about the determination of his government to turn around the sector for the better.
President Buhari, who said that his government is already making appreciable progress in this respect, wanted the summit in session to among other things, sharpen the strategies for addressing the challenges of basic and secondary education, teacher training and professional development; technical and vocational education.He charged the summit to work to enhance quality in, and access to, higher education “and other challenges in the sector that will debar us from attaining the SDGs and be among the top 20 economies in the world.”
President Buhari emphasised that Nigeria cannot progress beyond the level and standard of the country’s education. “Today, it is those who acquire the most qualitative education, equipped with requisite skills and training, and empowered with the practical know-how that is leading the rest.”We cannot afford to continue lagging behind. Education is our launch-pad to a more successful, more productive and more prosperous future. This administration is committed to revitalizing our education system and making it more responsive and globally competitive.”
According to Buhari, one of the primary roles of education is to build and sustain individual and society’s development, adding that it renews and improves the economic, social, political and cultural aspects of any nation.”Education upgrades the living standard of citizens and enables people to become better and more productive citizens. It is a human right that creates a safe, healthy and prosperous society.”It changes the visions and perspectives of individuals, enhances critical decisions and improves democracy. Indeed education is paramount and necessary requirement for all-round development.”He said that Nigeria’s participation in all relevant international education fora together with its investment in education and collaboration with development partners, is an indication of high level of commitment towards ensuring that every capable Nigerian receives good quality education.
He said that such efforts are justifiable only to the extent that schooling is effective in promoting the realization of national objectives, attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Education For All (EFA) by 2030.”These targets are, happily, in harmony with the manifesto and the CHANGE agenda of our Party, the All Progressive Congress (APC).”It is also in agreement with my campaign promises during the 2015 elections exercise and in pursuit of the yearnings and aspirations of the generality of Nigerian citizens.”
