The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education, has inaugurated an eight-man committee to drive and actualize set objectives in the education sector. Inaugurating the Committee, last week in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman tasked the members to develop ways that would help the Ministry turn around the fortunes of the country.
He said that the event marked a pivotal moment in the nation’s pursuit of educational excellence and societal development, while highlighting the urgency of their mission, he emphasised the need for clear direction to transform Nigeria’s fortunes.
The Minister inform the members of the Committee that “I must confess that your assignment is not going to be an easy one because Nigerians are looking forward to the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to do a quick turn-around in all sectors of the economy, with education being the fulcrum to galvanise the needed changes to make Nigeria hold her head high in the comity of Nations.
“Mr. President has clearly laid out his vision for his administration and it is anchored on “improving the lives of Nigerians in a manner that not just reflects our humanity but encourages compassion towards one another and duly rewards our collective efforts to resolve the social ills that seek to divide us”.
“On education specifically, our president has declared his commitment and as a priority, among other missions, to see about 10.5 Million Nigerian Out of School Children retrained with skills that will make them stand on their own. We will, therefore, need a clear road map and framework that will guide the ministry achieve these goals.
“To achieve this vision, we must necessarily harness our human resources. But before we harness our human resources, we need to be sure of what we need to do to fill in the gaps that have, over the years, inexplicably pulled us back,” he said.
Professor Maman further highlighted some issues that the Committee would need to look at, saying it was important that the curriculum, from basic to tertiary level meet the demands of the current realities and needs of the society.He also charged them to occupy their thoughts with the issues of Financial Autonomy in Tertiary Institutions, access and equity, research and innovation as well as the government-industry-academic and the global competitiveness of the educational system should not escape their scrutiny.
“One thing I must not fail to add is that we must have an education system that embraces technology and move into a digital future where our education responds to the demands of the society. We need to move away from education for its sake but to education for the development not only of the individual but most importantly for the society we live.”
Responding, the chairman of the committee, Dr Nuru Yakubu who was ably represented by Professor Ernest Ojukwu pledged to duly take up the responsibility and undertake the assignment meticulously in the best interest of education sector and the country as a whole. He, on behalf of the members of the Committee, thanked the Federal Government, through the Honourable Minister of Education for finding them worthy to deliver the daunting task.
Members of the Committee included; Dr. Nuru Yakubu, Chairman, Prof. Ernest Ojukwu, member, Prof. Sa’ad Umar, member, Shulamite Paul (Ms), member, Dr. Garba Ibrahim, member, Hajia Hindatu Abdullahi, member, Prof. Ismail Junaidu, member and Mr. Joseph Achede, Secretary.