In West and Central Africa, more than 14,000 schools have been forced to close due to violence and insecurity as of June 2024, impacting the learning of hundreds of thousands of children across the region, highlights the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) on the International Day to Protect Education from Attack. Children's right to an education must be protected as the future of an entire generation hangs in the balance.

Across the Sahelian countries of Burkina Faso and Mali as well as Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), school closures affected millions of children in 2023 and continue to do so this year. Many of the impacted children are at risk of being recruited by armed groups or exposed to severe protection risks such as child labor, physical violence, and sexual exploitation.

"Education is under siege in West and Central Africa. The deliberate targeting of schools and the systemic denial of education because of conflict is nothing short of a catastrophe. Every day that a child is kept out of school is a day stolen from their future and from the future of their communities," said Hassane Hamadou, NRC's Regional Director for West and Central Africa.

The Federal Government has commenced the process of full implementation of Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) in the Colleges of Education sector to enhance self-reliance and employability of graduates of the institutions.

Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, speaking at workshop on strategies for the implementation of Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) in Colleges of Education (Technical), said skill acquisition remains critical in reducing unemployment rate in the nation.

Mamman who was represented by the Director, Special Duties, Zubairu Abdullahi, expressed optimism that implementation of the NSQF programme in the colleges of education would not only benefit the community and the immediate environment but would also contribute to the training of skillful NCE graduates.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the Federal Government to prioritise reducing the high cost of education rather than focusing on student loans.


Henry Okuomo, the Senate President of NANS, made this appeal during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday. He argued that lowering education costs would be more beneficial to Nigerian students than the current loan scheme, which may be challenging to repay due to high unemployment rates.


Okuomo suggested that instead of offering loans, the government should significantly reduce tuition fees at tertiary institutions to between ₦20,000 and ₦50,000. He emphasized that affordable education would be accessible to more students, whereas the current loan system, with its unclear repayment terms, may not be feasible for graduates struggling to find employment.

A report by the HP Futures initiative, in partnership with the Global Learning Council and T4 Education, said investing in education in Nigeria and globally is essential for future success, especially during times of economic challenges.

According to T4 Education, this recommendation is rooted in extensive research including a 2020 study from the Washington Center for Equitable Growth which found that every $1 spent on education leads to a $1.66 return in economic activity later on, with greater effect during a recession

The HP Futures initiative sought to address these challenges, and the inaugural report suggested actions that could improve access to a good education. They include, “Redesigning education systems to create schools and curricula fit for tomorrow. Having a genuinely effective approach to AI; implementing a hybrid schooling system with a mix of asynchronous and synchronous learning formats etc.

The Transition School, a UK-based education technology advocacy startup, has highlighted the crucial role EdTech can play in addressing Nigeria’s educational challenges. During the Round Table Talk on the Impact of EdTech around the World, organised by the Transition School, Co-founder Mahmood Owolabi stressed the potential of EdTech to transform Nigeria’s education landscape.

“EdTech provides scalable solutions to bridge gaps in resources and access, which are crucial for Nigeria to meet the needs of its growing student population,” Owolabi said. He further explained that with ongoing issues like resource shortages, teacher deficits, and overcrowded classrooms, EdTech offers scalable and cost-effective solutions.

Owolabi also stressed that integrating EdTech with investments in infrastructure offers a sustainable path to equipping Nigeria’s youth with future-ready skills.

The Oba Ìsèse of Ogun State and Chairman of the Ìsèse Kingdom Of Truth Association Of Nigeria, Oba Ifarotimi Adifagbola Balogun, called for the inclusion of African Traditional Religion studies in the national school curriculum.

A statement by the group urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly to establish a National Traditional Religion Commission. This commission would operate similarly to the Hajj and Christian Pilgrims Commission, focusing on the interests and needs of practitioners of African traditional religions.

Speaking at his Idi-Ori Palace in Abeokuta, Balogun emphasised that integrating this subject into education would help children learn about and appreciate their cultural heritage. “The inclusion of African traditional religion in our education system is crucial for the growth and unity of our nation and continent,” Oba Balogun said.

The Mastercard Foundation will host two pivotal events at the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79) on September 22, 2024. Both gatherings will address the critical issues of girls' education and women's economic empowerment in Africa and will be held at the Millennium Hilton New York, One UN Plaza Hotel.

Under the themes "Powering Parity--Inclusive Education for a Sustainable Future" and "Invincible: Empowering Women, Transforming Africa," the events will showcase successful educational models and explore solutions to create a more equitable economic landscape for women in Africa.

"Powering Parity--Inclusive Education for a Sustainable Future" will focus on effective strategies and programs to improve young African women's learning access, outcomes, and transitions to and from secondary education. The session will also include an important announcement on the expansion of a key Mastercard Foundation partnership focused on initiatives for girls and young women.

Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch), in a recent education financing tracker report, has revealed that despite the country being a signatory to international benchmarks which promise to commit a substantial amount of money to education financing, only four percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) value was channelled to the education sector over the past seven years.

Ghana is a signatory to United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) guidelines that advocate commitment to allocating at least four percent to six percent of GDP or 15 percent to 20 percent of total government expenditure to education financing.

However, available statistics indicate that for the past seven years (between 2017 and 2024), the average education sector share of GDP has been 3.92 percent; with the highest being 4.63 percent recorded for 2020 and lowest being 3.09 percent in 2023.

Concerned Parents and Educators (CPE) yesterday called for consultations with relevant stakeholders and open dialogue on the formulation and implementation of education policies.

They made the appeal during a webinar titled: ‘Above 18/Below 18: The Pros and Cons of the New Directive by the Minister on the Education Landscape’. The group highlighted the urgent need to reassess age restrictions for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), cautioning the federal government about the potential long-term impacts on youths and society.

The Chief Executive Officer of Edumark Consult and Coordinator of CPE, Mrs. Yinka Ogunde, voiced her concerns over a recent directive from the Minister of Education that bars students under 18 from taking the WASSCE. She criticised the directive for being hastily implemented, and stressed that significant educational decisions should involve thorough planning and consultation with educators.

In Nigeria, the need for substantial investment in education cannot be overstated. The country faces signifi­cant challenges in its educational sec­tor, ranging from inadequate infrastruc­ture to a shortage of qualified teachers. These challenges are particularly pro­nounced in rural areas, where access to quality education remains a formidable barrier.

Recognizing the transformative power of education, the NEPL/Seplat Energy Joint Venture (JV) has taken bold steps to uplift and empower the educational sector in Nigeria. Through the Seplat Teachers Em­powerment Programme (STEP), the JV is safeguarding the future of Nigeria by investing in the key drivers of educa­tion—its teachers.

In response to these challenges, the NEPL/Seplat Energy Joint Venture (JV) has launched a series of initia­tives aimed at improving the quality of education in Nigeria. Among these initiatives, the Seplat Teachers Empow­erment Programme (STEP) stands out as a transformative effort to address the root causes of educational underperfor­mance.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CherithPoint Education and Youth Development Initiative (CEYDI), Dr Olajumoke Akere has suggested digital literacy as a skill to unlocking opportunities in education, employment, and entrepreneurs.

According to her, digital literacy is more than learning how to use technology but about empowerment, creativity, and connection. She called on government at all levels and other stakeholders to adequately equipped youth with the needed tools to build a better future for themselves, the country and the world in general.

She called on educators and professionals to continue their vital role in nurturing the youths, saying the future of the country depends on the education and empowerment of the youth on digital literacy.

In demonstration of its commitment to social impact, Access Holdings Plc has taken another significant step towards empowering vulnerable children through education.

As part of its longstanding partnership with Bethesda Child Support Agency, the Human Resources and Executive Office team of Access Holdings PLC, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, acquired and formally handed over two coaster buses to the organisation during a ceremony held recently at Access Towers in Victoria Island, Lagos.

This donation marks an important moment in Access Holdings’ mission to provide quality education to 1,000 underprivileged children across Nigeria—a mission that has been at the heart of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts for over a decade.