The Federal Government, yesterday, reiterated its commitment to repositioning education as a key driver of economic growth and national development.
Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, gave the assurance during the 2025 yearly general meeting of Principals of Federal Unity Colleges, hosted by the South-West zone in Lagos, stressing that the ministry is committed to ensuring the delivery of effective and equitable education that contributes to a strong, democratic, prosperous, indivisible, and sovereign nation.
The minister, represented by the Director of Senior Secondary Education, Binta Abdulkadiri, said that the AGM, themed “Education for Renewed Hope: Repositioning Secondary Education for Economic Empowerment and National Development,” is both timely and strategic.
According to her, it highlights the essential link between quality education, economic empowerment, and national development — ensuring equal access to education for all, particularly the girl-child and persons with special needs.
Ahmad, therefore, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to investing in education to empower young Nigerians and promote sustainable economic growth.
“Our focus is on key reform areas—curriculum development, teacher professionalisation, and digital transformation—aims to revitalise Nigeria’s education system and align it with global best practices, thereby preparing our students for a knowledge-driven economy,” she said.
The minister, however, urged principals to always remember that they represent the Federal Ministry of Education in their respective states and schools, imploring them to uphold the highest standards of discipline, integrity, and accountability in the discharge of their duties.
In his remark, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, said the Federal Ministry of Education had initiated a major overhaul of the national school curriculum, a reform framed as “Light load, stronger minds.”
The reform, he said, reduces subject overload, sharpens the focus on core competencies and expands practical, vocational and digital pathways to enable learners to graduate with both knowledge and usable skills.
Enitan, who was represented by the Director of Finance and Accounts, Federal Ministry of Education, Adebayo Adegboye, said the ministry would continue to provide policy direction, technical support and coordination with development partners to achieve our collective and desired goals. He lauded the principals for their dedication and tireless commitment to shaping the minds of the future leaders.
Earlier, the Chairman of Principals of Federal Unity Colleges (FUC), Shehu Dahiru, said repositioning secondary education for economic empowerment and national development is not just a theme, but also a call to action.
As educators, administrators, and leaders, he noted that the principals are the custodians of our nation’s future. He, therefore, urged them to rise to the challenge of nurturing responsible, skilled, and visionary young Nigerians.
Also, Secretary, National Senior Secondary Education Commission, Abuja, Dr Iyela Ajayi, in his presentation: titled: “Education for Renewed Hope: Repositioning Secondary School Education for Economic Empowerment and National Development, noted the increased budget allocation by the current administration but lamented that the funding of education at all levels in Nigeria was far below the benchmark recommended by the UNESCO which is between 15 and 25 per cent of the total budget.
