Businesses urged to support education revival

In a bid to address the escalating challenges facing Nigeria’s education sector, stakeholders have called on the government, businesses, and development institutions to drive the revival of the sector.

They advocated bold reforms to revitalise the struggling education system.

They made the call recently at the Festival of Change in Lagos, an inaugural event organised by The Erioluwa Adeyinka Co-Creation Hub.

The programme was themed “REVIVE: Reimagining What the Government, Business, and Development Sector Need to Do to Revive Education” and it attracted over 100 participants.

According to a statement, the festival’s convener, Erioluwa Adeyinka, highlighted the urgency of creating inclusive spaces to address the education emergency declared by the African Union.

He stated that three pillars were essential for national development: effective government policy, socio-economic stability, and quality education.

“To create a world of our deepest longing, we must address how we think,” Adeyinka stressed, underscoring the importance of mindset in nurturing a thriving society.

He emphasised that while Nigeria’s education system faced challenges, transformation was achievable through collaboration.

“Education in Nigeria may not be at its best but with dedication and collaboration from all sectors and stakeholders, we can elevate it to where it needs to be—one heart at a time,” he explained.

The festival featured keynote addresses, panel discussions, innovative pitch contests, and educational virtual reality experiences.

Notable speakers, including Oluwaseun Kayode, Victoria Oladipo, and Julius Ilori, shared insights intended to inspire action among participants.

Oladipo remarked, “Education is not a cost, but an investment. When businesses invest in education, they get better, well-equipped people in their workforce.”

A key highlight of the event was the pitch session, where participants presented innovative ideas to resolve educational challenges.

Ms Oyindasola Adams won first place, with Ms Obasola Temitope and Mr Joshua John securing second and third places, respectively.

Praise Mbanali echoed the call for collaboration, stating, “The path to revive education is clear, but the problem of education cannot be solved by one single stakeholder; it requires our collective efforts.”

Similarly, Oluwaseun Kayode asserted, “Education is a nation on its own, and not just access should be funded, but also quality.”

The festival successfully united thought leaders and changemakers, paving the way for ongoing discussions on educational reform.