NEWS DIGEST- In a briefing at the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) pavilion ahead of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly meeting, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to intensify efforts in providing quality education for children of all ages in Nigeria.
Quality education is one of the SDGs, focusing on ensuring inclusive and equitable education and lifelong learning opportunities for all. Amina expressed concern over the alarming number of out-of-school children and the lack of access to quality education in the country.
She emphasized the importance of technology in education, noting that it has provided an opportunity to expedite progress that would otherwise take decades. Amina acknowledged the challenges faced by the Nigerian education system, including insufficiently trained teachers and millions of children being left behind or lacking access to quality education even after graduating.
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Amina emphasized that the responsibility to address these challenges lies with all levels of government. Both local and state governments must take immediate action. While enabling policies can be implemented, the resources and implementation must come from within Nigeria.
Amina also highlighted the need for support from the international community to bridge the deficit in funding. She stressed that Nigeria can afford basic education, healthcare, and nutrition for children, but it requires an examination of tax allocation, government efficiency, and means of implementation. The international community must contribute to addressing this deficit, particularly through trade and financing.
Technology was also identified as a crucial factor in advancing education in Nigeria. Amina noted that technology has the potential to accelerate progress in areas such as access to education and e-commerce. With Nigeria’s significant population, the country can experience considerable leaps in these areas.
Overall, Amina called upon the Nigerian government and the international community to prioritize and invest in quality education for Nigerian children, addressing the existing challenges and leveraging technology for faster progress.
