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Expert Identifies Inhibitors To Quality Education
A professor of Economics of Education, Prof Chinyere Onyemaechi Agabi has expressed fears that the great youthful populations of the Nigerian nation may become a national liability if the content and quality of education are not connected to global trends.
This followed the myriads of challenges confronting the teaching and learning processes in the nation’s education system.
In her inaugural lecture titled “The Dilemma of the Sower In Growing The Desirable Labour Force,” delivered at the Auditorium, Main Campus of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Port Harcourt, last Thursday, Prof Agabi alluded the Nigeria teacher to th e sower in the Biblical Parable of the sower regretting that the teachers were mostly blamed for the issues bedeviling the education sector particularly the turn outs of low facility of graduates.
Agabi identified the dilemma’s/challenges of teachers to include unfriendly work environment, ill-prepared learners constant blaming of teachers for the failures in the system, insufficient resources support, low income achievement prospect and working constantly with mo prospect of education.
Describing teachers as knowledge facilitators Agabi said they are the sower of knowledge and most important resource in education process and stressed the need for an upward review of the education system to create a conducive learning and teaching environment for an enhanced and vibrant national labour force.
In her words “formal education will not produce the desired quality of labour supply for Nigeria’s struggling economy even if the education policy is reviewed a million times without the establishment and maintenance of education environment that guarantees quality of learning for the Nigeria child in public and private schools.”
“The labour force that is desirable in any economy is expected to have the right level and type of education, skill development and desirable personal attributes to ensure high level of productivity”, she said.
Agabi maintained that in developing education as an economic investment, the guest for the production of the desirable labour force that will sustain a developing economy like that of Nigeria should consider the tripartite condition of classifying children who are ready for learning, making relevant institutional resources available and establishing favourable learning environment to achieve quality education.
According to the education expert, the educational provision and development practice existing in today’s Nigeria was inc apable of facilitating the school teachers’ productive engagement in the effort at growing the desirable labour force for the nation’s struggling economy.
Agabi therefore recommends a close synergy between teachers and parents in equipping the learner with basic resources required for effective participation in school activities and government’s intervention by the building of more schools to avoid overcrowding especially in public schools which would automatically crate the need for more professionally trained teachers.
She said, “an upward review of statutory fiscal allocations to education in general and to teacher training institutions in particular is strong recommended. The teaching field should be made more attractive in terms of remuneration so that the best brains can be attracted and retained to facilitate appropriate development of the desired quality continuous supply of indigenous workforce through organised education.
By: Lady Godknows Ogbulu
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.