Experts in the education sector have declared that Nigeria must place learning at the centre of national strategic planning, if the country must achieve genuine development.

The position was the focal point of the inaugural yearly symposium organised to commemorate the 70th birthday and 50 years of teaching excellence of seasoned educationist and Proprietress of Mind Builders School (MBS), Bola Falore.

The event, held at the school hall in Ikeja, Lagos, brought together educators, and school owners to reflect on the role of education in nation-building and the contributions of private institutions to the sector.

Founder and Managing Director of Oxbridge Tutorial College, Dr Femi Ogunsanya, spoke on the evolving dynamics of private schooling in nation-building.

She stated that every classroom serves as a cornerstone for national progress and every student holds the key to the country’s future.

Ogunsanya observed that private institutions have stepped into a frontline role in nurturing Nigerian youth, transforming into premier academic centres, skills hubs and standard-bearers of excellence.

She noted that private education has become an integral component of the national school system, contributing significantly to expanding access to learning across the country.

“Across Nigeria, private schools educate millions of students. Despite the stark reality that there are still millions of out-of-school children in Nigeria, government-owned schools represent only a fraction of the total institutions available. In major urban ecosystems, private schools make up the vast majority of the active educational community,” she said.

Ogunsanya further explained that the private sector plays a critical role in developing human capacity, promoting core values and driving the economic development of the nation.

Looking towards the future of learning, she challenged private schools to take the lead in the integration and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). She reiterated that the journey towards nation-building ultimately starts within the classroom.

She maintained that the next phase of educational transformation in Nigeria requires deeper and more deliberate collaboration between government and private institutions.

Private education, she argued, has moved far beyond being a mere supplementary sector.

Ogunsanya noted that it is now a strategic partner in developing the human capital, values, innovation and literacy required for sustained national growth.

She expressed confidence that if the government and the private schools work hand-in-hand, they can create an educational ecosystem capable of producing not just successful students, but responsible citizens and visionary professional leaders.

Reinforcing the call for high standards, former Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Folashade Adefisayo, expressed deep concerns over the quality of teachers in many schools across the nation.

She emphasised that for any educational strategy to succeed, Nigeria must place a much stronger emphasis on the rigorous training of quality teachers.

Contributing to the discussion, Professor Joseph Ola Awoyinfa of the Faculty of Education, University of Lagos (UNILAG), warned school owners against the recruitment of cheap labour and half-baked staff.

He urged school proprietors to establish objective and effective recruitment processes to select teachers without bias and place personnel in roles strictly aligned with their qualifications.

To ensure sustained standards, Awoyinfa advised schools to conduct thorough background checks and hold periodic training sessions.

He also stressed the importance of staff welfare and supportive leadership in driving performance.

To ensure that the national curriculum reflects modern realities, the Chief Executive Officer of Excel Professional Services ltd, Dr Oladimeji Alo, said government must actively involve the private sector in curriculum development to elevate and standardise education across board.

Reflecting on the impact of the teaching profession, Falore described the event as a day of immense thanksgiving, reflection and joy.

She noted that it was a moment to appreciate the firm foundations upon which her life has been built.

For her, teaching provided true purpose and fulfillment, offering a unique opportunity to touch lives, mold young minds and contribute meaningfully to the progress of society.