A veteran educationist, Mrs. Uzorechi Faith Oluwaluyi, has marked 50 years of active service in the education sector, calling on the government to increase its investment in education and provide more support for teachers and school owners.
The celebration highlights her five-decade journey in teaching and school administration from 1975 to 2025. Fondly called “Mummy Perfect Praise” by students, colleagues, and members of her community, Oluwaluyi described her story as one shaped by perseverance and divine grace.
“I am a product of God’s grace. I came from a broken home where I was denied the opportunity to attend secondary school. But my grandmother saw the potential in me and never stopped encouraging me,” she said.
Recalling her early days, Oluwaluyi shared that her teaching career began in a classroom with no pupils. Despite the setback, she remained focused and continued teaching daily until her first pupil was enrolled.
She began as a Grade III teacher during a period when the government sponsored and paid student-teachers. After completing her training, she was posted to Ibadan but was rejected, then reposted to Akure, where she worked briefly before establishing her own school.
“I had no pupils when I began. I would dress up, stand in front of the board, and teach an empty classroom,” she recounted. “One day, God spoke to me to reduce the school fees. Shortly after, a woman brought her baby to the crèche, and within weeks, I had about fifty pupils.”
Over the years, Perfect Praise Schools, located at Adigun Famubode Olawaiye Estate, Isheri Olowora, Lagos, has grown to accommodate more than 700 students and 57 teachers. The institution offers crèche, primary, and secondary education, and has been approved to conduct WAEC and NECO examinations since 2017.
Reflecting on changes in Nigeria’s education system, Oluwaluyi noted that the sector has evolved from the days of chalkboards and age restrictions to a more flexible and technology-driven environment. She acknowledged progress but maintained that more government involvement is needed to improve quality and standards.
“The government needs to go beyond taxing private schools. They should revisit schools and find ways to encourage teachers,” she said. “Also, the recent curriculum change should be carefully reviewed before implementation.”
She also urged the government to support school owners, saying such assistance would help regulate tuition fees and make education more accessible to children.
Commenting on parental responsibility, Oluwaluyi expressed concern about the changing attitudes of parents toward discipline and learning. “Parents need to take full responsibility for their children. Some now attack teachers for correcting pupils. In the past, standard and discipline mattered,” she said.
At 73, Mrs. Oluwaluyi remains active in her school community. She is listed among the Notable Women in Nigeria by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, a member of the Red Cross Society, and a businesswoman. She attributes her strength to healthy eating, regular exercise, and daily engagement with her students.
She is married to Abiodun Olushola Oluwaluyi, an estate surveyor, and blessed with children and grandchildren. Many students continue to benefit from her scholarship programmes.
