GR Diary
Urgent: State of Emergency in the Education Sector!!!
By: Emeka Oparah
Yesterday, during lunch at The Nation Abuja City Editor, Yomi Odunuga’s 53rd birthday gathering, in his humble but lovely home in Abuja, we (friends) got into the usual sad reflections about the state of affairs in Nigeria. From East to West and North to South, we came to the unfortunate conclusion that all is not well with the country.
We did not come to a final conclusion on how to solve the problems, but we were aligned that something must be done and urgently too. One of the areas we dwelt on was education. That is what I’m about to discuss further, as time didn’t permit me, yesterday, to say all I had in mind what with the array of delicious food and assortment of choice “poisons” staring me in the face. Lol.
First off, all those who are close to the National Council of States, which features the president, governors, past presidents and others, should beg them to expeditiously declare a State of Emergency in Education. And I mean education at all levels. I am not even talking about the tens of millions of out-of-school children, but those who are supposedly in school and learning absolutely nothing! You do not need to consult an oracle or a seer to know how bad the situation is: check social media and see for yourself!
Some years back, as part of a fact-finding mission to assess the state of primary education in Nigeria, I embarked on a tour of the 6 geo-political zones. My employers had felt that primary education, being the foundation, must be taken seriously, and asked me to go and check and report back. The story was the same everywhere I went. Decrepit schools, horrible teachers and more horrible pupils. In some schools, I couldn’t hold back the tears. Chicken pens and pigsties were better than some of the things called schools.
Most of the buildings had leaking roofs, cracked walls, broken floors, damaged furniture or none at all. The teachers looked as ghastly as the pupils. There were no materials or inspiration for teaching and learning. Some more conscientious teachers gathered their pupils under the trees and taught them, mostly nonsense. It was during the same period the then Gov. Adams Oshiomole of Edo State conducted tests for teachers, using the same questions the pupils answered in Common Entrance, which most of the teachers failed woefully.
Our response, at the time, was to adopt six (6) out of the over 5000 primary schools. Let me not annoy you with the challenges we faced in the process of adoption but here’s what we did: We renovated the schools (in the case of the Lagos State School in Ajegulne, we built a brand new block of 6 classrooms because there was absolutely nothing to renovate!); we provided furniture, including desks, chairs, white boards and markers; we gave the pupils school uniforms, sandals, text books and exercise books and also built toilets for boys, girls and teachers. Then, we organized training sessions for the teachers at least to re-orientate them.
But what is 6 schools out of thousands? A drop in the ocean! So, across the country, most of our primary schools are still in very terrible shape. Thank you. This situation has led to the emergence of hundreds of private primary schools, which, by the way, charge exorbitant fees, and, therefore, further alienates and excludes children of the underprivileged. The result is that we have mostly poorly prepared children who are admitted into the equally disastrous public secondary schools.
The secondary schools have now deteriorated beyond producing half-baked and ill-prepared young adults to moulding young criminals! Of course, the level of teaching and learning is, like the primary schools, very much below standard. The more unfortunate issue is that the secondary schools have literally become breeding grounds for immoral, sexually perverted and criminally minded young men and women. If you are in doubt, visit a nearby public secondary school in your village. Or better still look at the photos and videos that litter the social media. Scary.
I know a school, where there are only 9 teachers for the student population of over 800! Teaching has become a job for people with no future plans or ambition. Even those who agree to teach augment their poor remunerations with whatever they make from the sale of pure water, recharge cards and all sorts of groceries. The students are either playing football and other games or wandering and loitering all over the nooks and crannies playing lottery, dancing shaku-shaku, drinking alcohol, doing drugs or organizing orgies. And this is no exaggeration. The more “courageous” ones are being recruited into secret cult groups-and they in turn initiate their younger friends. They “run things” now in the villages and towns and you dare not challenge them. They are also the ones who work for politicians as thugs and ballot box stuffers or snatchers.
I need not waste your time on the disaster currently happening in our tertiary institutions, including some of the private universities. Most of the graduates are NOT (in caps) prepared or ready for anything, except to make money. In addition to cult activities, many are now involved in the Yahoo-Yahoo business of getting rich quick by all means. They now combine Advanced Fee Fraud with outright robberies and ritual killing. They are the ones stealing women’s pants all over the place. The lecturers are mostly on strike, anyway.
Look, my dear friends, we are well and truly snookered! One of the consequences is that we do not have a ready reservoir of future leaders and managers made in Nigeria. The few job opportunities from the few corporations seeking employees are going to either those returning from the diaspora or expatriates. If this is not a calamity, then tell me what is.
I think, and you can correct me if I’m wrong, that the President should convene a meeting of the Minister of Education and Commissioners for Education and all stakeholders in the Education sector including policy makers, lawmakers (NASS and State Legislatures) to brainstorm for a week or two and propose a way or ways forward. Otherwise things are are going to get worse than it is.
Additionally, old students/pupils must urgently organize themselves and return to their alma maters to help rescue the dire situation. I know of some Alumni and Old boys/girls associations, which have done great things in their schools. Others must emulate them as a matter of sacrifice.
Also, corporate organizations and NGOs should emulate Airtel Nigeria, adopt some of these primary schools and offer other forms of support for the development of primary, secondary and tertiary education in the country. At the end of the day, these institutions should be the main source of manpower for these organization. So, even if for selfish considerations, they should do something.
The Federal Government should, however, lead the charge by immediately declaring a state of emergency in Education. The situation is really really bad. Very bad. And that is still an understatement of the problem.
Oparah, Director of Corporate Communications & CSR at Airtel Nigeria, writes from Lagos.
The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) has announced that Chief Samuel Ortom, former Governor of Benue State, will serve as one of the panelists at the upcoming GOCOP 2025 Conference.
The conference theme is “Reconciling Campaign Promises with Governance Realities: Challenges and Prospects.”
A press statement by GOCOP publicity secretary, Ogbuefi Remmy Nweke, disclosed that the panel discussion will feature esteemed panelists, including Prof. Abiodun Adeniyi, Registrar, Base University, Abuja; Prof. Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika,2025 Director, Institute of Continuing Education (UNILAG); and Alhaji Lanre Issa-Orilu, Director-General, National Orientation Agency.
The conference, he said, will take place on October 9, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
He recalled that GOCOP had earlier announced that the keynote speaker will be Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, former Speaker of the House of Representatives and immediate past Governor of Katsina State.
How can Africa remain safe and powerful in a world being rapidly redefined by Artificial Intelligence?
That pressing question will take centre stage at the 13th Digital Africa Conference & Exhibition (DACE), scheduled for October 28–29, 2025, in Abuja.
The two-day gathering will be anchored by two powerhouse keynote speakers: Dr. Armstrong Takang on Day 1 and Prof. Latif Ladid on Day 2, each bringing unique expertise to Africa’s digital sovereignty conversation.
Dr. Armstrong Takang, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), will open the conference with a keynote that situates Africa’s digital sovereignty within the broader context of economic reform, institutional innovation, and strategic governance.
A consummate professional and visionary thinker, Dr. Takang has spent decades bridging the gap between public reform and private investment across Africa and the United States. Before his current role at MOFI, he served as Special Adviser to the Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, where he led the MOFI Transformation Team.
His career includes leading Growth Alliance Partners (GAP), a pan-African firm that helped turn around several businesses to create shareholder value, and working at KPMG in New York.
He has been instrumental in designing and implementing key national initiatives such as the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), the Voluntary Asset and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS), and the ICT components of EFCC/NFIU systems.
Dr. Takang has also chaired national ICT committees and contributed to landmark policies, including Nigeria’s Content Development in ICT and the country’s 50-year Development Plan. His keynote will highlight how digital and financial sovereignty intersect to secure Africa’s long-term competitiveness.
On the other hand, Prof. Latif Ladid, Founder & President of the IPv6 Forum and Chair of the AI & Blockchain Global Forum, brings decades of global leadership in internet architecture, digital policy, and emerging technologies.
His expertise spans across pivotal roles from IEEE Future Networks to the Internet Society, 3GPP, and EU research on next-generation networks.
Organizers say his keynote will set the tone for the conference, unpacking how Africa can assert digital sovereignty, safeguard its data, and lead in shaping the ethics and standards of AI on the global stage.
“This year’s theme, ‘Sovereign Intelligence: Africa’s Voice in the Global Digital Order,’ isn’t just a concept, it’s a necessity,” said Dr. Evans Woherem, Chairman of Digital Africa Consult. “Prof. Ladid’s keynote will highlight what it takes for Africa to remain safe, independent, and powerful in the new AI era.”
At a time when global powers are racing to define AI norms and secure digital dominance, Africa risks being left behind if it fails to act. Much of its technology remains imported, its data stored abroad, and its languages invisible in mainstream AI systems.
DACE 2025 is designed to change this narrative, by equipping Africa with the tools, strategies, and partnerships to become a proactive co-author of the digital future.
The conference will feature high-level dialogues on digital sovereignty, policy innovation, and cross-border cooperation, alongside exhibitions of homegrown startups, developer workshops, and showcases of African-built AI tools for health, agriculture, finance, and education.
Beyond the panels and showcases, DACE 2025 is expected to produce a concrete roadmap for Africa’s digital sovereignty.
“This isn’t just about technology,” noted Woherem. “It’s about agency, safety, and independence. With Prof. Ladid setting the stage, we hope to leave Abuja with a united vision of Africa’s place in the global AI order.”
With delegates expected from across Africa and the world, the two-day gathering promises to be a defining moment in the continent’s digital journey.
Nigerian Export Promotions Council, NEPC, played a significant role at the just concluded maiden Lagos Trade Fair. NEPC, enhanced the export capabilites of entrepreneurs at the Fair.
Nancy Okpa and Olamide Olatunde, both Senior Trade Officers from NEPC, equipped the entrepreneurs with knowledge and skills necessary for international trade.
The Vendors learnt the step by step export procedures. They also gained insight to the importance of compliance with international standards.
Monalisa Abimbola Aze, a lawyer turned entrepreneur whose company Mona Matthews curated the event expressed appreciation for developing the export capabilites of entrepreneurs and providing them access to international markets.
She said the ” Vendors will be more confident and equipped to navigate the exportation process.”
“Through exportation entrepreneurs can expand their businesses and access global market.”She added.
Olori Janet Afolabi, a Publisher and Queen of Apomu Kingdom, who collaborated with Azeh on the event, commended NEPC for its effort to reduce Nigeria economic vulnerability to oil price fluctuation by promoting non oil exports.” She said through exportation there will be increased foreign exchange earnings”
Apart from NEPC, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control, NAFDAC , officials also attended the Trade Fair to sensitise entrepreneurs on the need to register their products.
The event drew a large crowd and sparked entrepreneurial growth.
Aze, said ” I am overwhelmed by the success of the event We are grateful for the enthusiasm from Vendors who showcased their products and services with passion..
The event has shown that with determination and hard work we can create a lasting impact and provide opportunities for growth and expansion of businesses and services “
Olori Afolabi described the event as a great first attempt ” It exceeded my expectations.It was incredible to see entrepreneurs come together to celebrate enterprise and innovations. The energy was amazing. We look forward to building on this momentum.”
Vendors at the Fair expressed satisfaction with the turnout and the opportunities provided by the event.Many of them reported increased visibility, valuable connections and potential business deals.
One of them, Enobong Ezekiel, CEO / Founder Coreal8 said “l am honoured to have been a part of this experience. I was able to connect with many customers and partners.The organisers did an incredible job of creating a vibrant and supportive atmosphere that allowed us to showcase our services”
The event held on 6th and 7th September at Yard 158, Kudirat Abiola Way, Ikeja Lagos.
The two day event brought together about 100 versatile Vendors, showcasing a wide range of products and services in fashion, food, lifestyle, technology and beauty.The event featured food courts, entertainment and games, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere.
Many visitors attended the Fair Prominent among them is Tope Alabi a popular gospel musician.
The Fair which showcased the entrepreneurial strength of Lagos is expected to have a positive impact on the local economy .
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