“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela

In a country like Nigeria, where over 60 percent of the population is under the age of 25, the importance of education in shaping our collective future cannot be overstated. Yet, within this vital sector lies a consistently under-prioritized foundation — Early Childhood Education (ECE).

The first years of a child’s life represent a window of opportunity. According to UNESCO, over 90 percent of a child’s brain develops before the age of five. These early years are not only crucial for cognitive development, but also for emotional growth, social behavior, and long-term health. For nations that understand this — and act on it — the returns are immeasurable. For those that don’t, the cost is equally steep.

As Commissioner for Education in Edo State, I have seen firsthand how foundational learning — or the absence of it — impacts everything that comes after. When children miss out on early structured learning, they begin their academic journey already at a disadvantage. This often leads to poor performance in later years, high dropout rates, and limited life opportunities.

According to the World Bank, 70 percent of children in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria cannot read and understand a simple sentence by age 10 — a phenomenon they call “learning poverty.” These gaps don’t begin in primary school; they start much earlier, when the early years are neglected.
We often talk about building schools and universities, but if the early learning foundation is weak, the entire structure is compromised. As I’ve said before, “If you don’t have a solid foundation, you can’t build a house. You can’t teach a child when he is sitting under a leaking roof or running out of the classroom when it rains.”

The importance of early childhood education also extends far beyond the classroom. It is a matter of equity. Children born into poverty or living in rural areas often begin life with a disadvantage. Without access to structured, affordable early learning, these children fall further behind before they’ve even had a chance to start. Quality ECE can bridge this gap and promote long-term social mobility.

In countries like Finland and Singapore, the government has long recognized the power of early childhood education. Their models — free preschool access, play-based learning, professional teacher training, and strict quality control — have proven that national excellence begins early. Even Rwanda, with far fewer resources, has successfully built community-driven early learning centres in rural areas, showing that local innovation can drive lasting change.

There’s also a powerful economic argument. Nobel Laureate economist James Heckman found that every dollar invested in early childhood education yields a return of seven to thirteen dollars in long-term benefits — including increased productivity, reduced crime, and lower public health costs. In practical terms, early education is one of the smartest investments any society can make.

It is also one of the strongest tools for peace and national security. Uneducated youth are far more vulnerable to poverty, crime, radicalization, and violence. UNICEF has repeatedly pointed out the link between education and social stability. If Nigeria truly seeks to address insecurity in the long term, the answer must begin in the earliest classrooms.

Despite its importance, early childhood education in Nigeria remains underdeveloped. Less than 40 percent of children aged 3 to 5 have access to pre-primary education. In rural areas, this number is even lower. Most public schools have no dedicated space for early learning, and the private options are often unaffordable for working-class families.

In Edo State, we are working to change this. We are integrating early childhood education into our public schools, prioritizing foundational literacy and numeracy, and expanding teacher training to meet the unique needs of young learners. We’re also renovating classrooms across the state, ensuring they are safe and stimulating environments. And through innovative programs like EdoSET, we’re laying the groundwork for digital-first learning from the earliest years.

Our goal is to reverse the trend of neglect — to move from reactive policies to proactive investment. As I’ve said many times: “We must make the public schools so good that private schools become unattractive to Edo people.” That begins with the earliest years.

The future of Nigeria will not be decided in the boardrooms of Lagos or the chambers of Abuja. It will be shaped in the classrooms of Benin, Kano, Enugu, Maiduguri, and every community in between — especially in those first few years when a child’s mind is open to everything.

If we are serious about building a peaceful, prosperous, and equitable Nigeria, we must stop treating early childhood education as optional. It is not. It is where the nation begins.
Let us build the future — by building the child first.

Dr. Emmanuel Idiagbon Paddy Iyamu is the Commissioner for Education, Edo State