Former Minister of Education and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Professor Tahir Mamman, has advocated collaborative educational reforms as panacea to the dwindling state of education in Nigeria.
In a compelling address delivered during the 18th LAUTECH Global Alumni Annual Public Lecture yesterday, Professor Mamman, represented by the Rector of Federal Polytechnic Ayede, Oyo State, Engr. Dr. Taofeek Adekunle Abdul-Hameed, a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineer’s (FNSE), dwelled on the challenges and opportunities within Nigeria’s education system.
Held at the popular The Great Hall of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, among others, the Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Senator Sarafadeen Ali; LAUTECH Vice Chancellor, Professor Rasaq Olatunde ROM Kalilu and other Principal Officers; the Global President of LAUTECH Alumni Association, Engr. Lekan Badmus, other distinguished alumni and students were present.
The lecture titled “Nigeria’s Education System: Challenges, Opportunities, and Roles of Alumni in shaping the Future” highlighted the ways in which the system could be revamped, touching on the key areas of solutions to the decay in the system.
He explained that the Nigeria’s educational framework, while integral to the nation’s development, continues to grapple with obstacles such as inadequate funding, poor infrastructure, teacher shortage, and curriculum not aligning with the realities of a rapidly evolving job market.
Despite these hurdles, Mamman emphasized that significant opportunities that lie ahead, particularly through enhanced investment in education and the strategic adoption of digital learning tools.
“The key to transforming our education sector lies in our collective efforts. We must enrich and modernize our curriculum to prepare students not just for local jobs but for the global economy,” said Mamman.
He urged stakeholders, including governments and private sectors, to prioritize educational funding and reforms that will lead to meaningful improvements.
A particular highlight of the former Minister’s lecture was the pivotal role of alumni in shaping the future of education in Nigeria.
“Alumni associations have proven to be catalysts for change by providing essential resources such as scholarships, mentorship, and infrastructural development for their alma maters. Alumni are not just former students; they are invaluable contributors to the education ecosystem. Their involvement can bridge the gaps that often hinder the growth of our educational institutions,” he stated, calling for more robust alumni engagement in educational reforms.
He reiterated the importance of collaborative actions among the government, private sector, and alumni associations.
He noted, “For Nigeria’s education system to reach its full potential, we need to create a culture of partnership across all sectors. The government must ensure that education is a priority in its national development plans while the private sector contributes to alleviating funding constraints.
“Alumni networks, meanwhile, must leverage their collective wisdom and resources to influence policy and drive infrastructural improvements.”
As Nigeria moves forward, the vision articulated during the lecture serves as a call to action for all stakeholders in the education sector.
“With shared goals and reinforced connections, the collective effort can pave the way for a brighter, more prosperous future for Nigerian education,” he submitted.
