Celebrated Nigerian playwright and scholar, Professor Osonye Tess Onwueme, has issued a compelling call for significantly increased investment in the nation's education sector. The renowned academic made this urgent appeal during her 70th birthday celebration held in Abuja on December 24, 2025.
A Foundation for National Progress
Professor Onwueme stressed that education is the most critical foundation for sustainable national development. She argued that meaningful advancement in crucial areas like economic growth, social cohesion, and democratic governance cannot be achieved without a robust, well-funded, and efficiently managed education system.
The respected professor pointed out that years of neglect have led to severe consequences, including widening inequality, declining learning outcomes, and a steady erosion of Nigeria's competitiveness on the global stage.
Beyond Budgets: A Holistic Approach
According to the septuagenarian scholar, increased investment must go beyond mere budgetary allocations. She advocated for deliberate policies focused on improving infrastructure, enhancing teacher training, boosting research capacity, and ensuring access to quality education at all levels.
"Investing in education is an investment in Nigeria's future," she declared, emphasizing that the long-term benefits of such investment far outweigh the immediate financial costs.
Restoring Values and Merit in the System
Professor Onwueme delivered a sharp critique of the current state of education, calling for a return to basic values and a comprehensive re-evaluation of the system to foster responsible citizenship. She expressed deep concern over what she described as the "bastardization" of Nigerian education.
"It's not what it was. It's tokenism that's going on. And the value, merit that used to be there is no longer there," she lamented. She highlighted the particularly alarming decision to erase history from the curriculum in recent years as an example of the systemic failure.
The professor also accused some parents of failing their children by not instilling proper values and instead promoting materialistic goals.
Early Lessons from a Snail Hunter
Reflecting on her own journey, Professor Onwueme shared poignant memories of her childhood, crediting her late mother's guidance for shaping her attitude. Her mother constantly advised her to take her education seriously and embrace hard work.
"I used to be a snail hunter, wood gatherer. That's what my mates used to call me... I used to go to the forest to gather wood and snail to sell and feed the family," she recalled. She acknowledged that these early lessons in responsibility and purpose laid the groundwork for her later achievements as a Distinguished Professor of Cultural Diversity and English at the University of Wisconsin and a globally recognized writer of plays focusing on social justice, culture, and the environment.
Her call to action serves as a powerful reminder from a seasoned academic and artist on the pivotal role education must play in building the Nigeria of tomorrow.
