ABUJA – As Nigeria celebrates 54 years of independence, Mr Yinka Osuntogun, the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Universal Education Board (SUBEB), says Nigeria’s education sector needs to be re-directed to encourage self-reliance.
Osuntogun, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja, said that Nigeria should de-emphasise paper qualification.
According to him, the government of President Goodluck Jonathan has done well in the education sector but credit also has to go to state governors who have acquitted themselves creditably in the sector.
“We need to re-define education; we need to restructure what kind of education we want. Is it education for mere certificate or education for empowerment? [eap_ad_1] “That should be our focus, starting from the universal to the polytechnics; we need that type of education that encourages and equips an individual for self-reliance not certificates to look for jobs.
“Education is on the concurrent list; the glory does not go to the Federal Government alone; my state has also done well in terms of education.
“Oyo state was previously 34th in the Senior School Certificate Examination but we have gone up to 13th position; that is a giant stride and we are not relenting.’’ he said.
According to him, Nigeria’s education sector has not fared badly at 54, but he added that there is room for improvement in spite of the numerous challenges confronting the country.
He expressed optimism that the education sector would continue to improve as the future of the nation relied on the education of its citizens. (NAN)
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