The Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (Financial System Stability), Aishah Ahmad, on Saturday expressed concern that despite having the largest Gross Domestic Product of $480.48 billion (18.4 per cent) of Africa’s total GDP in 2021, public education had remained consistently underfunded.
She also raised fears on the implication of the education gap between most states in Northern Nigeria and their Southern counterparts, warning that it portended grave danger for national development.
According to her, Nigeria had been suffering from consequences of poor-quality education, which was evident in the extremely high unemployment of educated youths.
Ahmad raised the fears in Abuja during her lecture titled, “Can Nigeria develop without quality, inclusive education?”,
which she delivered at the first Global Reunion and Annual General Meeting of Old Students Association of Federal Government Girls’ College, Bida, organised to commemorate the 48th anniversary of the institution.
During the event, a new Global President of FEGGICOBIDOGA, Hilda Nkor emerged, taking over from Bukola Olatunji.
The CBN Deputy Governor said that quality and inclusive education remained a precursor to economic mobility, growth and development.
She said Nigeria was far from meeting the Sustainable Development Goal Four which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, regardless of socioeconomic status, gender, race, religion or physical capabilities.
Ahmad said, “Quality education is a precursor to economic development. According to UNICEF, one in every five of the world’s out-of-school children is in Nigeria and of the 10.5 million Nigerian children that are out of school, about half are girls.
“The COVID-19 pandemic also exacerbated the disparities in education, causing more than 1.6 billion children and youth to be out of school in 161 countries.
“About 60 per cent or 137 million adolescents are in school but not learning. Currently, 103 million youth worldwide lack basic literacy skills, and more than 60 per cent are female. The challenges with proficiency are evident in Nigeria.
“According to WAEC, only 76.36 per cent of candidates passed the 2022 exam (achieving credits or above in at least five (5) subjects, including English Language and Mathematics). This is a decrease when compared to 81.7 per cent recorded in 2021. However, it is impressive to note that over 51 per cent of those who passed were female.
“We must admit that the picture of inclusive quality education is bleaker in Northern Nigeria .There is higher proficiency level in the south. In the North, we see schools that has to relocated from the rural areas to the city due to insecurity. The funding too is also poor.
“The trend shows that from 2016 to 2022, the highest allocation to education sector was 8.4 per cent which does not meet UNESCO’s recommendation that developing nations should allocate up to 15-20 per cent of their annual budget to public education.”
While stressing the need for government to focus on early education as a foundation for further learning and proficiency in numeracy, literacy and digital skills, she called for the review of curriculum to teach skills relevant for the 21st century.
The President-General of the Unity Schools Old Students Association, Lawrence Wilbert, represented by the Vice President of USOSA and President of Federal Government College, Jos, Old Boys Association, Mike Magaji, observed that the federal and state governments could not fund education alone.
He also highlighted the need for individuals and alumni associations to contribute to the development of education in Nigeria.
Magaji said, “One of the best ways to revive education in Nigeria is through alumni. It is clear to us that the federal and state governments cannot fund education alone. By being part of the alumni, you can contribute to the development of Nigeria.
“It was tax payers money that was used to train us, so we need to invest and pay back. Those who are in the diaspora needs to come back and contribute. So more than ever before, Nigeria needs people like you who have gone through that unification and integration process to make a difference”.
