Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has called for urgent reform of the education sector in the country, saying the teeming youth population must be educated and empowered.
Abbas who identified challenges facing educational institutions, said tackling them is a matter of necessity and expressed the commitment of the 10th House to address them legislatively.
The speaker stated these yesterday at the 14th convocation ceremony of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja where he was conferred with the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) (Honoris Causa), along with the president of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, who was awarded the Doctor of Humane Letters.
He said: “Nigeria stands at a critical juncture where education reform is both necessary and urgent. Our country’s young population is full of potential, and we must equip them with the tools to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy.
He said, “As the speaker and a lawmaker, I have prioritised collaborating with my colleagues in the National Assembly to promote reforms in our education sector – particularly in the university system. Our universities face various challenges, including inadequate funding and infrastructure, a shortage of qualified personnel, curricular gaps, and the need for increased research and innovation.
“The 10th House of Representatives is dedicated to enhancing education in Nigeria through comprehensive legislative efforts, including amending existing laws to advance technical and vocational education, recognising that essential skills aren’t solely acquired in traditional universities.”
Abbas noted said this commitment had led to proposals for new institutions, such as polytechnics and entrepreneurship colleges, bridging the gap between education and employment.
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