As Nigeria marks 65 years of independence, the education sector remains the most critical foundation for harnessing its massive youth population. The country’s history is full of ambitious policy attempts to redefine learning, yet many challenges persist.
Does this sound familiar? “I had a JAMB score of 320 and applied to study Chemical Engineering, but I was given Fisheries instead…” Stories like this are common, reflecting systemic issues that go beyond exam results or school admission.
Now is a perfect time to reflect, not only on where we are coming from, but also on where we are going. Our classrooms are filled with brilliant minds who will shape the nation’s future. But the world they are preparing for is vastly different from the one their parents knew. Certificates alone no longer guarantee success; collaboration, communication, and problem-solving are the true tools for thriving in the 21st century.
As Nigerians proudly say in Pidgin: “Naija no dey carry last.” But to live up to this spirit, our youth cannot afford to be left behind.
What is Education Reform?
Education reform means making deliberate changes in the way a country teaches, manages schools, and prepares students for life. It may involve revising the curriculum, improving teacher training, using digital tools, or expanding access to underserved groups.
For Nigeria, reform must go beyond appearances. It must move us from producing certificate holders to producing problem-solvers, creators, and leaders who can compete in a digital and global economy.
What are Soft Skills?
Soft skills are personal, social, and communication abilities that determine how effectively people interact with others, adapt to situations, and solve problems. Unlike hard skills (such as coding, accounting, or plumbing), which are technical and measurable, soft skills are about how you work, not just what you know.
They are sometimes called “people skills,” “employability skills,” or “life skills.”
The Nigerian Reality
Nigeria has over 200 million people, with nearly half under the age of 18. According to UNICEF, at least 10.5 million Nigerian children are out of school, one of the highest figures globally. Even those enrolled often face overcrowded classrooms, poor infrastructure, and unmotivated teachers.
6 Education Reforms Nigeria Must Prioritize
Reform 1: Curriculum Modernization
Since independence, Nigeria has worked to replace colonial-era rote learning with a curriculum aligned to national development and global competitiveness. Nigeria has introduced the 6-3-3-4 system (1982), the Universal Basic Education policy (1999/2004), and continuous curriculum updates. In recent times, there have been efforts to streamline overloaded subjects, integrate digital technologies, and introduce mandatory trade subjects like Solar PV Installation, Fashion Design, and Computer Hardware Repairs.
Why it matters
Every Nigerian student should graduate with at least two marketable skills to reduce youth unemployment and prepare for the future economy.
Reform 2: Policy and Funding
Nigeria currently allocates just about 2.5% of its Consolidated Revenue Fund to basic education. This is far below UNESCO’s recommended benchmark of 15–20% of national budgets.
Way forward
Nigeria must increase education financing, invest in digital learning (e.g., affordable tablets for students), and prioritize teacher welfare.
Why it matters
Teachers are the backbone of education. Without motivated, well-trained teachers, reforms will fail.
Reform 3: Strengthening Technical and Vocational Training (TVET)
Every year, 1.7 million students compete for 400,000 university slots, while over 90% of jobs exist in the informal sector. This mismatch fuels unemployment.
Globally, China has trained over 50 million vocational graduates since 1980, while Switzerland integrates classroom learning with industry practice to produce one of the world’s most skilled workforces. However, in Nigeria, vocational training is still stigmatized as “second-class.”
Way forward
Standardize curricula, modernize equipment, and forge industry partnerships. Elevating TVET can turn Nigeria’s untapped potential into an economic engine.
Reform 4: Building a National Education Data System
Data is the compass of reform. Without accurate numbers on enrolment, teacher qualifications, dropout rates, or learning outcomes, policies are blind guesses.
In Nigeria, many states underreport or fail to submit accurate figures on enrolment and teacher distribution. This makes it difficult to plan effectively.
Solutions
Create digital education databases, track teacher performance, and publish open-access reports.
Examples to learn from
Rwanda uses a digital platform to track nationwide school performance, and Edo State’s EdoBEST program monitors teacher lesson delivery with tablets. These measures have helped to improve literacy outcomes.
Reform 5: Governance and Integrity
Corruption and favouritism remain widespread in education. Admission rackets, “sorting” for grades, and ghost workers undermine meritocracy.
Curriculum reviews and modernized classrooms mean little if students who excel cannot access opportunities fairly. This is why integrity reforms, tackling corruption, exploitation, and unfair practices, are just as important as curriculum changes. Access to learning, grades, and opportunities must be based on merit, not money or influence.
Way forward
Transparent admissions, digital monitoring of school funds, and accountability must be enforced in school management.
Why it matters
Integrity reforms ensure that effort, not connections, determines opportunities.
Reform 6: Safe and Inclusive Schools
Insecurity has displaced thousands of students, especially in the North-East. Girls, children with disabilities, and nomadic populations also face barriers.
The Safe Schools Initiative (2014) and the Nomadic Education Policy are ongoing efforts by the Nigerian government to address this. But more is needed: protection measures must be expanded, rural infrastructure improved, and inclusivity ensured so no child is left behind.
5 Future Skills for Every Nigerian Student
- Digital Literacy
From Microsoft Office tools to coding and e-commerce, digital skills are the gateway to global opportunities.
- Soft Skills
Empathy, resilience, teamwork, adaptability, and active listening remain vital—even in an age of artificial intelligence.
- Financial Management
Every student should understand budgeting, savings, investment, and resource management to build economic resilience.
- Collaboration and Global Communication
With tools like Zoom, Slack, and Google Docs, collaboration now transcends borders. Students must learn to work in teams and communicate across cultures. Learning global languages, such as Chinese, now part of Nigeria’s curriculum, is a competitive advantage.
- Creative and Innovative Thinking
Problem-solving, curiosity, and unconventional approaches are critical. Nigeria’s challenges need innovators, not business-as-usual mindsets.
Signs of Progress
In 2025, President Tinubu approved ₦120 billion to scale up TVET via NESRI, aiming to equip 650,000 youths with technical, vocational, and digital skills. In parallel, the government shifted the TVET curriculum so 80% is now practical training i.e. short courses in coding, data analytics, cloud computing, with tuition, stipends, and grants to support students. Concurrently, Nigeria has set a goal of 95% digital literacy by 2030, including training 30 million people by 2027.
Final Thoughts
At 65 years of independence, Nigeria’s most powerful investment is not oil, gas, or infrastructure, it is education reform anchored on accurate data and integrity. Without these, reforms are castles built on sand.
The question is: By 70, will Nigeria look back with pride at genuine progress, or still recycle the same problems? The future belongs to those who prepare, and the time to prepare is now.
References
- Education | UNICEF Nigeria (2023): https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/education
- BusinessDay: House considers bill to double UBEC allocation from 2% to 4%
- EdoBEST: https://edobest.org.ng/
Vanguard (2025): https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/04/tinubu-approves-release-of-n120bn-for-tvet-agenda/