Nigeria Must Prioritise Education To Compete Globally — Gbajabiamila

The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, says that education remains the most critical tool for national development as the country seeks to reposition its schools for global competitiveness.

Gbajabiamila, a former speaker of the House of Representatives, stated this at the 2026 International Day for Education Conference themed “Re-imagining the Future of Education in Nigeria: Collaborative Solutions for a Brighter Tomorrow.”

He described education as a matter of “national survival” for Africa’s most populous country, saying no nation can compete globally without sustained investment in learning.

“Education is the bridge between potential and productivity; between aspiration and achievement,” he said.

Gbajabiamila commended the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, for convening the conference and reaffirmed his support for reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He recalled sponsoring the Students’ Loans Bill during his tenure as speaker of the 9th House, aimed at ensuring that qualified students are not denied tertiary education because of financial hardship. Tinubu signed the bill into law within the first three months of his administration, leading to the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.

Gbajabiamila also praised the 10th House of Representatives for strengthening oversight of tertiary education funding and promoting accountability reforms.

Earlier, the Speaker’s Special Adviser on International Cooperation and Educational Development, Abisoye Da Rocha-Afodu, said the International Day of Education was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2018 to recognize education as a fundamental human right.

She said Nigeria has more than 20 million out-of-school children, the highest number globally and faces challenges including poor infrastructure, weak teacher welfare, outdated curricula and limited access to technology.

Da Rocha-Afodu said the conference brought together lawmakers, policymakers and development partners to identify practical and sustainable solutions, particularly to improve access to education for girls and persons with disabilities.

Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Polytechnic and Higher Technical Education, Fuad Laguda, said funding remains a major challenge, particularly for polytechnics and higher technical institutions, stressing that collaboration is essential for meaningful reform.

Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Polytechnic and Higher Technical Education, Fuad Laguda, said funding remains a pressing concern, particularly for technical institutions, adding that Nigeria must raise its ambitions if it hopes to compete effectively on the global stage.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji