FG sets up 8-member committee to drive education roadmap

Prof. Tahir Mamman, Minister of Education, has formed an eight-member group to steer the country’s educational plan.Mamman, who inaugurated the group in Abuja on Tuesday, stated that the committee has four weeks to develop ideas to assist reform the industry.He stated that there was a need to launch the national task as ministers on a clearly defined route to construct a turnaround in the country’s fortunes.

While stating that the occasion was a watershed moment in the nation’s quest of educational excellence and societal progress, he emphasised the importance of their purpose, highlighting the necessity for clear guidance to change Nigeria’s fortunes.

The minister, while acknowledging the difficult path ahead, stated that Nigerians expect a rapid turnaround in all areas under President Bola Tinubu’s government, with education serving as the cornerstone for good change.According to Mamman, President Tinubu’s vision for his government, which focuses on improving Nigerians’ lives and cultivating compassion, emphasises the significance of education in tackling social concerns.
“I must admit that your task will not be easy because Nigerians expect the administration of President Bola Tinubu GCFR to make rapid progress in all sectors of the economy.” Education is the driving force behind the necessary changes that would allow Nigeria to compete in the international world.

“The president has clearly laid out his vision for his administration, and it is anchored on improving Nigerians’ lives in a way that not only 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,” he said.

According to Mamman, President Tinubu’s pledge to retrain 10.5 million Nigerian out-of-school children with marketable skills prioritises education.He stated that a defined plan and structure were thus required to lead the ministry’s efforts in accomplishing these lofty aims.

The minister urged the committee to embrace technology and steer towards a digital future, highlighting that education should not exist just for the sake of education but should also contribute significantly to individual and social growth. “As Nigeria strives for quality education, it is critical that the curriculum, from elementary to tertiary, meet the demands of our times and the needs of society.”

“I am pleased to note that work has begun at some levels, particularly secondary and tertiary.” What we need to know is if what we now have can fulfil the current global educational demands and, if not, how to solve them.

I anticipate that financial autonomy in tertiary institutions, access and equity, research and innovation, and the government-industry-academic nexus will occupy your thoughts.Similarly, the global competitiveness of our educational system should not be overlooked.

“One thing I must emphasise is that we need an education system that embraces technology and moves us into a digital future where our education responds to societal demands,” he stated.
Dr. Nuhu Yakubu serves as Chairman of the committee, which also includes Prof. Ernest Ojukwu, Prof. Sa’ad Umar, Shulamite Paul, Dr. Garba Ibrahim, Prof. Ismail Junaidu, Hajia Hindatu Abdullahi, and Mr. Joseph Achede.