It was mixed fortunes for education last year. Though the sector still contends with the perennial issues of industrial action by university unions, out-of-school children, hike in university tuition, poor funding, unbearable electricity bills in universities, among others, President Bola Tinubu’s assent to the Student Loan Scheme, negotiation with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). But the appointment of new education minister, underlines the current administration’s resolve to reposition the country’s education. Thus, stakeholders, critics and observers expect government not only to consolidate on its progress, but address other pressing issues in the new year, reports DAMOLA KOLA-DARE
Education reforms
Since assuming office, President Bola Tinubu has approved various policies and instituted reforms largely to overhaul the education sector, improve enrolment, learning, skill development and ensure access to quality education for all.
The present administration’s “Renewed Hope Education Roadmap for Nigeria” is poised to create a robust education sector, which provides access to quality education capable of producing a highly skilled and educated workforce.
The agenda, which includes the DOTS, an acronym for: Data Repository, Out-of-School Children Education, Teachers Training & Development, and Skill Development and Acquisition, also seeks to reduce substantially, the number of Out-of-School Children, integrate skills into the entire education system to address learning crisis, reduce unemployment and build a reliable and authentic database for the sector.
The President’s determination to put an end to incessant strikes by unions in universities underscored the will to ensure stability in the country’s university system.
Just as the Student Loan Scheme demonstrated a commitment to unfettered access to education, the negotiation with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) only reinforced the President’s statement: …”there will be no more strikes in our universities”.
He said: “I will extend the credit facilities to university students as loans. I will make our education system, especially the university education, more stable by dealing with the problem of ASUU strikes. There will be no more strikes in our universities.”
Though, the President’s efforts have shown there is hope, stakeholders including ASUU, the Congress of Nigerian University Academics(CONUA), the National Association of University Students (NAUS), the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), among others, have urged government to do more to reposition the education sector, along the lines of funding, robust infrastructure, encouraging cutting-edge research, addressing welfare concerns of university unions, among others.
CONUA: Tinubu should break funding jinx
National President of the Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUA), Dr Niyi Sunmonu, expects the administration of President Bola Tinubu to break the education funding jinx by increasing allocation up to the United Nations Education and Socio-Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO) minimum benchmark of 26 per cent.
In a chat with The Nation, Sunmonu noted that successive governments in the country have not given premium priorities to education, in terms of allocation. CONUA expects the President to stop the trend.
“Successive governments in the country have not given premium priorities to education, in terms of allocation and CONUA expects the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to break the jinx by increasing allocation up to the UNESCO’s minimum benchmark.
“Being a government that campaigned on Renewed Hope mantra, the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration should ensure it meets the minimum requirements of the UNESCO benchmark, going forward, to inject new vigour into the sector and rekindle the hope of a better future for Nigeria and Nigerians.
“CONUA expects to see a great reduction in the out-of-schools’ children, solving the problems of huge gap of infrastructural deficit in our tertiary institutions, and above all, great improvements in the welfare package of educational facilitators at all levels, including university academics. The union is aware that other areas of the economy needs adequate attention but no nation can develop above its quality of education,” he said.
ASUU: Fed Govt should resolve ASUU issue
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) University of Lagos (UNILAG) Branch Chairman, Prof. Kayode Adebayo, said the union expects the Federal Government to resolve all outstanding issues, including the ongoing renegotiation of the ASUU- FGN agreement.
He said: “The expectation is a continuous improvement in the system. It’s expected that all outstanding issues, including the ongoing renegotiation of the ASUU- FGN agreement, will be resolved. Sanity is expected in the sector; the recklessness in the setting up of new universities must be addressed. Adequate funding of the universities must be a priority of government.”
NAPTAN: states should create Education Loan Scheme
Deputy National President National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), Chief Adeolu Ogunbanjo, said: “States/ sub-nationals should also institute a loan scheme for state universities/ institutions. That would prevent NELFUND from being overstretched. It will complement the efforts of the Federal Government because most states’ budgets are below 10 per cent. Education is in this sorry state because political office holders don’t put their children in public schools. Politicians should be made to send their children to public schools as a matter of policy.
“A lot still needs to be done to improve education. The national government and sub-national governments should increase the budgetary allocation for education. Even if not up to the United States of America standard of 25 per cent; at least they should do 15 per cent. Unfortunately, most of them are below the figure. More funding should be allocated to education.
“Government should also put in more money into the Students Loan Scheme to accommodate more students. So, the budget should be doubled. Then, only the rich send their children to private schools; the scheme is meant for those in public schools. So, the argument to include private school students doesn’t stand.
“Beyond that too, there are so many states suffering from lack of school teachers, particularly at secondary level. Government should look into that too.
“Then, on the ASUU issue, it started since 2009 when former President Goodluck Jonathan approved many things for the lecturers. We are still dealing with the problem because the 2009 agreement is difficult for government to fulfill. Let both parties negotiate and reach an agreement. ASUU should also reach compromises with government. Government should also take caution on its negotiation with ASUU so that other unions too won’t start raising issues. The problem of unions should be solved once and for all in 2025. Compromises should be reached by both parties.
Regarding huge electricity bills, the DisCos and universities should also reach an agreement on how to pay; no school should be disconnected. Universities need electricity to survive.”
NANS seeks reduction in tuition, investment in digital learning
For the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), government should implement policies to reduce tuition fees and other levies in tertiary institutions and introduce subsidies and tuition-free initiatives where possible.
In a chat with The Nation, NANS Southwest Secretary General, Oluwole Aboke, urged government to, among other things, invest in digital learning platforms, provide free internet access in schools and incorporate technology in teaching to prepare students for a competitive global economy.
NANS praised the Federal Government for allocating a record-breaking N3.5 trillion to the education sector in the 2025 national budget, stating that the unprecedented commitment reflects a potential shift towards prioritising education.
On other areas that need sufficient improvement, Aboke said: “Government should prioritise technical and vocational education by establishing and equipping training centres nationwide to equip students with practical skills and enhance employability.
“It should fulfill obligations to academic unions, including ASUU, NASU and SSANU, to prevent future strikes and prioritise prompt payment of salaries, allowances and pensions for staff.
“Government must ensure the N3.5 trillion allocation is disbursed and utilised transparently, and include student representatives in monitoring committees to ensure funds are properly used.”
The student association also stressed the need to invest in primary and secondary education by recruiting qualified teachers, upgrading infrastructure, and providing essential teaching aids.
NAUS: shift from certification-oriented education imperative
While stressing that it has high expectations for education in the new year, the National Association of University Students (NAUS), called for a significant shift from certification-oriented education to one that equips students with practical skills to tackle real-world problems.
NAUS National Vice President (Southwest) Tiamiyu Ibraheem, who acknowledged the progress made in the education sector, particularly with the Student Loan Scheme, sought a comprehensive review of the education system to ensure relevance, effectiveness and preparation for 21st-century challenges.
He said: “Our curriculum falls short of 21st-century standards, emphasising the need for rebranding to incorporate problem-solving, artificial intelligence, and innovation. Our expectations for 2025 are high, driven by the National Education Policy. We anticipate increased funding, enhanced digital infrastructure, and initiatives to bridge the digital divide.”
ASUP expects welfare issues resolved
President of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) Shammah Kpanja noted that a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reached at a conciliation meeting with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment on December 9, culminated in the suspension of its warning strike. Thus, the union expects a resolution to the issues when they return to the negotiation table on January 23, 2025.
He said: “Within the period of the strike, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment convened a conciliation meeting between our union and the government on the December 9, 2024 to resolve the dispute and save the sector from the impending indefinite strike.
“At the meeting, a new memorandum of understanding was signed with a caveat that another meeting will be held on January 23, 2025, to assess compliance by parties as well as to address other issues. After this meeting, the union’s National Executive Council will meet to review the situation.”
CPN: swift action required to tackle out-of- school children issue
Lagos State Coordinator of the Child Protection Network (CPN), Mrs. Ronke Oyelakin, lamented the number of children who are out-of-school. She described the situation as “worrisome”.
Oyelakin, who urged government to tackle the issue promptly, highlighted measures that help reduce the number.
She said: “Governments can build more schools, especially in rural (populated slum and underserved areas). They can also improve transportation networks to make schools more accessible, some LGAs provide free school rides to some students but the number of students to the available vehicles is high. The cost of transportation is high and as such, some parents will prefer to survive first before thinking of education.
“They should ensure teacher training and professional development to improve the quality of teaching and get to post more teachers to the rural areas. The numbers of teachers available are also not enough. They need to employ more and spread them across the communities. They can also ensure that schools have adequate educational resources. This is a major issue; even the few schools available do not have all the needed teaching aids.
“The current socio-economic and cultural factors also contribute to out-of-school children. For example, nomadic populations may not be able to attend school due to their permanent migration – movement from one place to another and this can affect schooling of their wards.
“It is important for governments to educate the public on the importance of education for every child. Collaborating with non-governmental organisations, community-based groups and the private sector to pool resources and expertise for the provision of schools supplies, building or renovation of more schools among others. They should implement programmes like scholarship schemes, school feeding programmes, and conditional cash transfers to encourage children to stay in school.
“Investment in school infrastructure, including building new schools, providing necessary resources, and hiring qualified teachers, is crucial. It is also essential for governments at all levels to prioritise security and safety of students and ensure safe access to education for all children.
“Community engagement is a vital strategy in addressing the out-of-school crisis in Nigeria. By leveraging the strengths and insights of local communities, it is possible to develop sustainable and context-specific solutions that improve educational access and quality.”
