Head of the ADC Media Network 2.0, Hon. (Alhaji) Rahman Owokoniran, a party leader, has stated that education is the hallmark of the country’s economic growth and development but it has been thrown into the back burner by the Tinubu regime.
“Our university students have never had it so bad,” said the African Democratic Congress chief, who added that the government had lost focus on improving the quality of education for both the young and the unemployed in order to improve their exposures, knowledge and their livelihood.
He urged the public not only to fight for affordable education but also to be more open to learning about new things especially technology, science, medicine and engineering etc.
The quality of life enjoyed by the people depends on how well the nation equips its youth with relevant skills, knowledge, and values, he emphasised.
He noted that education reform must go beyond student enrollment figures to include serious investment in teachers training, digital learning, vocational and technical education, functional infrastructure, and modern learning skills.
Owokoniran said: “Many Nigerian institutions lack basic laboratories, updated libraries, and quality training equipment, leaving students unprepared for today’s competitive world.
“It has been a tragedy for the country that the APC government continues to put education at the backburner constantly.
“This neglect and failure of government policy constitutes a major setback for Nigeria economically, socially and politically.”
Hon. Owokoniran expressed concern that tertiary education has become increasingly unaffordable for the average Nigerian under the current administration, with rising tuition and compulsory fees forcing many students out of school. He also lamented about the poor welfare and low remuneration of academias that have plagued the nation over time while the government has weakened its welfare programs by cutting costs and reducing spending on education and health programs. This had resulted in the reduction in the number of people who are willing to teach. It is partly responsible for the increased brain drain that has affected the quality of teaching and research.
Reaffirming the party’s position, he stated that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) believes education must remain a right, not a luxury. The ADC advocates affordable education, improved welfare for educators, adequate funding for learning materials and infrastructure, and a strong focus on skills-based and vocational training.
He said that a nation that invests in education and health care has invested in the economic development of its people, adding that true national prosperity begins when every Nigerian child, regardless of background, has access to quality education.
ADC MEDIA NETWORK 2.0
