The Education Writers Association of Nigeria (EWAN) is set to host a major education summit in 2025 to confront the nation's deep-rooted obsession with paper qualifications and the ongoing challenges surrounding the integrity of public examinations.
National Dialogue on Education Reform
Scheduled for the Julius Berger Auditorium at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) in Akoka, this will be the sixth edition of the association's annual gathering. The event carries the critical theme: "Nigeria's Obsession with Paper Qualification and Integrity of Public Examinations: Is TVET the Way Forward?"
EWAN announced that the summit aims to spark a crucial national conversation about the urgent need to shift educational focus from mere certificate acquisition to practical skills development and competency-based learning.
Key Stakeholders and Participants
The event will bring together major players from Nigeria's education, manufacturing, and technical sectors. Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, will deliver the keynote address, outlining government initiatives to promote Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) while addressing pressing issues in the education sector, particularly concerning public examinations.
Heads of the country's major examination bodies will appraise the minister's presentation, including:
- Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB)
- Dr. Amos Dangut, Head of Nigeria's Office of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC)
- Prof. Ibrahim Wushishi, Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the National Examinations Council (NECO)
TVET as Solution to Unemployment
Experts will share insights on how TVET can effectively address Nigeria's alarming unemployment rates and significant skills gap. Key speakers include Prof. Idris Bugaje, Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education, and Morounke Azeez, Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB).
Representatives from the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN) and other industrial organizations will also contribute to the discussions, highlighting the direct connection between skills training and economic growth.
Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, UNILAG's Vice-Chancellor, will host the event, while Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), serves as chief host. The occasion will be chaired by Olawunmi Gasper, former Executive Secretary of LASTVEB and Chairman of Yoruba Tennis Club.
Recognizing Education Champions
The summit will also honor distinguished contributors to Nigerian education. Emeritus Professor Michael Omolewa, former History of Education professor and Nigeria's ex-Representative to UNESCO, will receive the Icon of Education award.
Sir Kesington Adebutu, nonagenarian Chairman of Kesington Adebukunola Adebutu Foundation (KAAF), will be recognized for his substantial investments in public education through various donations and endowments.
Additional awards will go to the Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, sponsor of the Maltina Teacher of the Year Award, and Professor Ademola Tayo, outgoing Vice-Chancellor of Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, for their decade-long partnership with and support for EWAN.
Mrs. Iyabo Lawal, Chairperson of the Planning Committee, emphasized that EWAN is committed to bridging the gap between policymakers and policy recipients, stating the association's dedication goes beyond reporting events to actively contributing to the repositioning of Nigeria's education sector.
