The Nigerian Academy of Education (NAE) has called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the education sector, citing the need for urgent reforms to address the sector’s rot and decadence ¹. Professor Kabiru Isyaku, NAE President, made this call during the 38th Annual Congress in Abuja, emphasizing the impact of the education sector on the nation’s economy.
The National Policy on Education, last reviewed over 10 years ago, requires critical examination, according to Isyaku. He highlighted key areas needing attention, including education’s constitutional status, structure, funding, and curriculum relevance.
Isyaku deemed the Federal Government’s management of primary and secondary schools an aberration, noting this practice doesn’t occur globally. Instead, he suggested the Federal Government focus on policy and quality assurance.
The NAE President advocated for devolving all 115 Federal Government Colleges to states with comprehensive conditions. This move aims to enhance educational governance and efficiency.
Furthermore, Isyaku stressed the importance of adequate remuneration for educational institution personnel, ensuring timely release of salaries and entitlements.
The Nigerian Academy of Education condemned the proliferation of educational institutions by federal and state governments. They called for a moratorium on new institutions until existing ones meet regulatory requirements.
Professor Alhas Maicibi Nok, keynote speaker and Faculty of Education member at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, lamented corruption in educational institution management. He argued misappropriation of resources poses a greater challenge than poor funding.
Nok questioned the integrity of those appointed to head educational institutions, citing nepotism and parochial interests in appointments, including Vice-Chancellors.
Nok noted a concerning trend where teachers prioritize examination preparation over knowledge transfer. This has fueled sharp practices, such as buying marks or exchanging sex for grades.
The Nigerian Academy of Education aims to promote high standards of professional practice in education through research, policy formulation, and collaboration with stakeholders [1).
As an umbrella body for education, NAE seeks to address the sector’s challenges through collective research and professional development programs [1).
The call for a state of emergency in education echoes concerns raised by other stakeholders, including UNICEF, highlighting Nigeria’s education crisis ².
