Enugu Gov. Criticize Nigeria’s educational system, calls over unproductive curriculum
Governor Mbah is not alone in this thinking – experts have long argued that Nigeria’s education system, modeled after the American system, is due for a revamp.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State says Nigeria’s education system is a major contributor to the country’s underdevelopment and sky-high unemployment rates.
Speaking at the 1st Enugu State University of Science and Technology Distinguished Personalities Lecture Series, on Tuesday, Mbah emphasised the need for a drastic overhaul of the current education model.
He canvassed ditching the outdated rote learning approach for experiential learning, saying it is the key to unlocking Nigeria’s potential for industrialisation and economic growth.
Governor Mbah is not alone in this thinking – experts have long argued that Nigeria’s education system, modeled after the American system, is due for a revamp.
Nigeria’s education philosophy focuses on developing well-rounded citizens with equal access to opportunities. However, the implementation has been criticised for being too Western-centric, with some experts suggesting adopting models from Asian countries like Japan, China, and India.
By adopting these changes, Nigeria can potentially unlock its full potential and create a more sustainable and prosperous future for its citizens.
Mbah questioned: “Why do Nigerian universities seldom feature on the global ranking list of world’s best universities? Why have they seemed perennially unable to become the ideas factory which universities ought to be? Why are our universities not producing inventive graduates?”
“The answers to these questions lie in many inconvenient truths, amongst which is the fact that the learning in our schools, from basic to tertiary, has for years not imbued our young people with productive skills and competencies. This is the root cause of our underdevelopment,” he said.
He noted that knowledge has always been the prime lever for progress throughout human history, the reason he said nations like the US, China, Germany, and the Netherlands, which invest a lot in building a qualitative and experiential education ecosystem are the world’s leading economies.
Mbah, who is currently building 260 Smart Green Schools to power experiential learning in the 260 wards of Enugu State, stressed that by embedding the model from the basic to tertiary levels of education, Enugu was creating a seamless pipeline where students progress from foundational learning to practical innovation.
He also directed all state-owned tertiary institutions to deliver experiential learning going forward.
“So, we hereby announce as a policy that all state-owned tertiary institutions in Enugu State must henceforth deliver experiential learning to our children. We want to see this change reflected in planning, budget, curriculum reform, assessment and promotions, as well as research.
“Experiential learning ensures that education is deeply connected to the challenges and opportunities of the real world.
“It fosters critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. It empowers students to see themselves not as passive learners, but as active problem-solvers,” he said.
