The Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, has inaugurated an eight-man committee tasked with setting up a roadmap for the education sector in alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda. The committee, led by Dr. Nuhu Yakubu, includes Prof. Ernest Ojukwu, a former Deputy Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, and Professor Sa’ad Umar, among others.
During the inauguration of the committee, the minister emphasized the importance of education as a priority in President Tinubu’s agenda. He highlighted President Tinubu’s commitment to addressing the challenges facing the education sector, particularly the issue of over 10.5 million out-of-school children who need to be retrained with skills to enable them to become self-reliant.
The minister noted that achieving these goals would require a clear roadmap and framework for the ministry. He stressed the need to harness human resources effectively and address the gaps that have hindered progress in the education sector.
Among the issues that the committee is expected to address are curriculum development, infrastructure deficits, financial autonomy in tertiary institutions, access and equity in education, research and innovation, and the relationship between government, industry, and academia. The global competitiveness of Nigeria’s education system and the integration of technology into the education system to respond to societal demands are also important areas for consideration.
While acknowledging the tight timeframe of four weeks for the committee’s work, the minister expressed confidence in their expertise, the preliminary work conducted by the ministry, and their commitment to the task. He emphasized the need for an education system that embraces technology and aligns with the development needs of both individuals and society.
The committee’s work is expected to contribute to the development of a comprehensive plan for the education sector that aligns with President Tinubu’s vision for the country.