Education
NIGERIAN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM: A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT AND NEED FOR REVIEW
By: Professor Frank Amagwu & Chuks Sokari
The Nigerian educational system has experienced an inexcusable decline over the years, particularly in the last thirty years (1995 to date). This situation began in the 1980s during a troubling period known as the “expo era,” where systemic corruption permeated the West African Examination Council (WAEC) processes. Question papers were illicitly smuggled and sold to students ahead of examinations, setting a troubling precedent that has only spiraled in severity over the years.
As the reputation of public schools—both at the secondary and tertiary levels—deteriorated, an increasing number of Nigerians, particularly from affluent backgrounds, began to seek alternative educational options. Many opted for private institutions, both locally and abroad, creating a stark divide in educational access and quality. This trend not only exacerbated inequalities but also weakened public educational institutions, which became abysmally underfunded and neglected; poor (if not total absence of) infrastructure, inadequate remuneration for teachers, and increased strikes and restiveness of students were manifest.
Public schools increasingly became associated with poverty and lower standards, while private schools flourished for those who could afford them, thus fostering a troubling class consciousness among Nigerians. Sadly, this situation has not only remained unchanged but has become worse.
Tragically, the Nigerian educational system has suffered a final blow, relegating it to a status where only local or foreign private schools are deemed acceptable by the privileged elite.
REASONS FOR THE COLLAPSE OF OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The Nigerian privileged class, comprised of economic operators in both the public and private sectors, is largely responsible for the decline and eventual demise of the Nigerian educational system. Employers are now more interested in foreign or private university graduates in their hiring decisions. This has created an undeniable stigma against local graduates and a strong desire to study abroad to prevent the glaring discrimination against them who, despite their qualifications, are still deemed inferior and inadequately trained for employment. Worse still, for graduates of our public schools, it is a case of ‘to your tents, oh Israel’, and many, out of frustration from years of job hunting, end up as okada riders or Keke drivers.
The authorities at the top echelon of our educational sector, often complicit with private interest, have, over the years, amassed tremendous wealth through corruption and mismanagement of public funds to establish their own private secondary schools and universities. This has led to the proliferation of private secondary schools and universities that cater exclusively to the wealthy, further exacerbating the challenges faced by public education and driving more students away from public institutions.
IMMEDIATE EFFECTS OF THE BOOM IN PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS…
1. Emergence of more private universities with inadequate infrastructure.
2. Attractive profit margins for investors, charging higher school fees without corresponding training facilities and quality of results.
3. Increased corruption among authorities in the ministries responsible for approving/licensing new schools, leading to poor standards in monitoring and evaluation.
4. Growing appetite and patronage for private university and secondary school education.
5. High school fees as a distinguishing criterion for the quality of education in Nigeria.
6. High influx and increased student population in private schools.
7. Contamination of monitoring and evaluation standards, which have plagued public schools, is now prevalent in private schools as well.
In the end, as the classical economists would say, ‘we are all dead.’ What goes around comes around. Most private universities and secondary schools have now become glorified commercial enterprises, suffering much the same fate as public schools, despite the enormous fees being paid by parents.
In all these instances, ‘Nigeria is happening to us’ across the various sectors of our economic landscape.
THE WAY FORWARD
To reverse the decline of Nigeria’s educational system, a comprehensive overhaul is imperative. Stakeholders—including the government, private sector employers, educators, and parents—must engage in a collaborative effort to rebuild public education. This includes prioritizing funding for infrastructure, enhancing teacher training and support, and implementing policies that ensure equity across all educational institutions.
Furthermore, public perceptions of local education must be transformed. By valuing and promoting the achievements of graduates from public schools, we can begin to dismantle the stigma that has been attached to these institutions and instill pride in what they can offer.
In conclusion, the Nigerian educational system is at a critical juncture. The pathway forward requires collective action and a renewed commitment to ensuring that all Nigerian children, regardless of their socioeconomic background, have access to quality education that equips them for the future. Only then can we hope to restore integrity and functionality to our educational landscape.
The Urgent Need for Review of the Nigerian Educational System
The deteriorating standards of Nigeria’s educational institutions and the quality of its graduates together underscore the dire need for a comprehensive review of the educational system. In an increasingly interconnected and competitive world, it is imperative that Nigeria’s educational system aligns with global information technology innovations and advancements.
The current structure of Nigeria’s educational system is unsuitable and inadequate to meet contemporary global standards and demands. The system is fragmented, with varying quality across public and private institutions. This has led to a significant gap in educational outcomes, with many graduates lacking the skills and knowledge needed to compete in the global job market.
To address these issues, the Nigerian educational system can be restructured into the following five categories:
Nursery and Primary Education
Secondary Education
Technical Educational Institutions
Public University Education
Private University Education
This restructuring aims to create a more cohesive and standardized system that ensures quality education at all levels. It envisages a system where there will be no more private secondary and private technical/tertiary education institutions in Nigeria.
To implement this effectively, the following measures should be considered:
Four ministries of education should be established, each headed by two ministers—one senior and one junior—responsible for specific areas such as nursery and primary education, secondary education, technical education, and university education.
Separate education boards should also be established to supervise the management of these specific institutions. This will ensure focused and efficient oversight.
The following additional areas should also be included in the review:
School Fees: An implementation of regulations to check arbitrary and discriminatory fees. Standardization of fee structures will ensure affordability and accessibility for all.
Infrastructure and Logistics: Investment in infrastructure and logistics will provide a conducive learning environment. This includes building and maintaining of classrooms, libraries, laboratories, and other essential facilities.
Hostel and Accommodation Evaluation: Periodic evaluation of hostel and accommodation facilities will ensure they meet safety and comfort standards.
Industry Collaboration: Fostering of strong collaboration with industries will offer opportunities for student attachments and internships. This will provide students with practical experience and enhance their employability.
Exchange Programs: Encouragement and promotion of exchange programs with international institutions will expose students to diverse cultures and educational practices, thereby broadening their perspectives.
University Sports and Games: Organizing university sports and games for both private and public universities will promote physical fitness, teamwork, and a sense of community among students.
CONCLUSION
The current state of the Nigerian educational system is a call to action. It is clear that without immediate and comprehensive reforms, the system will continue to fail the youth and, by extension, the nation. The proposal to revamp the educational structure into distinct categories, coupled with the establishment of specialized ministries and supervisory boards, represents a strategic approach to addressing systemic failures. By tackling issues such as fee regulation, infrastructure, industry collaboration, and international exchange programs, Nigeria can forge a path towards an educational system that not only meets global standards but also serves as a pillar of national development.
The success of these reforms hinges on the unwavering commitment and collaboration of all stakeholders—government, educators, private sector, and parents. By prioritizing education and ensuring equitable access and quality, Nigeria can uplift its youth and position itself competitively on the global stage. In doing so, we will not only restore the integrity of our educational institutions but also lay the foundation for a brighter, more prosperous future for Nigeria.
Professor Frank Amagwu is Faculty; Micro & Dev. Finance, Apollos University Great Falls, Montana USA. Also, Adjunct Professor, Accounting & Finance, PG Biz Sch, ANAN University.
Chuks Sokari is a Retired Deputy Director (Operations), CBN.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
Paul University, Awka, has suspended a member of its academic support staff, Ven. Cornelius C. Eze, an Anglican priest, over allegations of sexual misconduct involving a student.
The development also appears to vindicate the management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, which had earlier denied claims circulating on social media that the individuals involved were members of its staff and student body.
In a statement issued by its Public Relations Department, UNIZIK had clarified that neither the alleged staff member nor the student was affiliated with the institution.
Meanwhile, Paul University has launched an internal investigation into the allegations while relevant law enforcement agencies have also commenced their inquiries.
Ven. Eze, who serves as a Practical Biology Technologist in the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, was placed on indefinite suspension pending the outcome of the university’s disciplinary process and the police investigation.
The suspension was announced in a statement dated July 17, 2026, signed by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Rev. Godisplan Onukwufor.
According to the statement, the allegations were brought to the attention of the university management on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. Management said it immediately invited security agencies to intervene in order to prevent a breakdown of law and order following tensions among students.
The university stressed that the suspension is an administrative measure taken without prejudice to the outcome of the investigations.
A video circulating on social media, whose authenticity has not been independently verified, allegedly shows the suspended staff member dressed only in boxer shorts and apparently fleeing from his office amid a commotion. The footage has been widely shared alongside claims that he was caught in a compromising situation by angry students and members of the university community.
However, the university did not comment on the authenticity of the video or the specific circumstances surrounding the incident.
Reaffirming its commitment to ethical standards, the faith-based institution said it maintains a zero-tolerance policy on sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, abuse of office, immoral behaviour, and any conduct capable of endangering the safety, dignity, or welfare of students and staff.
The university stated that anyone found culpable after due process would face appropriate disciplinary measures in line with its regulations and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Management also disclosed that counselling and psychological support would be provided for the affected student(s) and other members of the university community.
It urged the public to avoid speculation and the spread of misinformation while investigations are ongoing, assuring parents, guardians, students, and staff of its commitment to maintaining a safe, secure, and morally sound learning environment.
The university added that further updates would be provided as investigations progress.
The presidential candidate of the NDC for the 2027 election, Mr. Peter Obi, has described the Federal Government’s suspension of the proposed increase in examination registration fees as a welcome relief and a victory for the Nigerian people.
The Federal Government on Monday suspended the proposed review of registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).
In a statement, the Federal Ministry of Education said the fee adjustment proposal contained in its June 18, 2026 letter had been withdrawn pending broader consultations with stakeholders.
The Ministry explained that the proposed increase was necessitated by the rising cost of conducting credible national examinations. However, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that the proposal be placed on hold in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking.
According to the Ministry, consultations will be held with examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors, parents, organised labour and other stakeholders before any decision is taken. It also assured Nigerians that the proposed fee review would not take effect until the consultations are concluded, while reaffirming its commitment to protecting students’ welfare.
Reacting to the development, Obi commended the government for listening to the widespread public outcry but maintained that the proposed fee hike should never have been introduced.
“While I commend the authorities for listening to the widespread public outcry and suspending the policy, it must be said that the fee was an unnecessary burden that should never have been introduced at this time of great hardship, when we should be doing everything possible to invest in basic education and reduce the millions of out-of-school children in Nigeria,” he said.
Obi argued that at a time when many families are struggling to make ends meet, access to education should be expanded rather than restricted.
“Education is a fundamental right and a public good, not a source of government revenue,” he said.
He added that imposing multiple fees at the basic education level risks denying many children their right to education.
“At that stage, the State has a duty to invest in educating and preparing its citizens for productive lives, not to erect financial barriers that keep them out of school,” Obi stated.
He further noted that true leadership is demonstrated not only by making decisions but also by having the humility to reverse policies that impose unnecessary hardship on the people, adding that many other anti-people policies deserve similar reconsideration.
Obi thanked citizens, parents and advocacy groups whose collective voices contributed to the suspension of the proposed fee increase, concluding with his familiar message: “A New Nigeria is Possible.”
In a Monday statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Education, the ministry said the letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment, dated June 18, 2026, had been withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review before any final decision is taken.
The ministry, in the release signed by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, said the suspension followed concerns and feedback from members of the public.
“The Federal Ministry of Education announced that the letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment, dated 18 June 2026, has been withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review and broader consultations with all relevant stakeholders before a final decision is taken,” the statement said.
According to the ministry, the proposed fee review was driven by rising costs associated with conducting national examinations, noting that registration fees have remained largely unchanged for several years despite increasing operational expenses.
It cited higher costs of logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance and other services required to maintain the credibility of public examinations.
The statement said the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, directed that the proposal be put on hold in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive and evidence-based policymaking.
“The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, has directed that the proposal be placed on hold in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking,” it said.
It added that consultations would be held with examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, education stakeholders and other critical partners before any decision is reached.
Accordingly, the ministry said the proposed review of examination registration fees would not take effect as earlier communicated until the consultation process is concluded.
The Federal Ministry of Education reiterated that students’ welfare, equitable access to quality education and responsible policymaking remain central to the Federal Government’s education agenda and pledged to keep the public informed throughout the consultation process.
FG said it approved N50,000 as the new examination fee for WAEC and NECO for secondary school candidates from 2027.
The initial registration fee was N27,500, which means the new increment comes with an 82 per cent hike.
In a statement on June 18, 2026, issued by the Director of Senior Secondary Education of the Ministry of Education, Adeniji Ibrahim, the approval followed a request by WAEC for an upward review of the fee for the Senior School Certificate Examination for candidates from 2027.
Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the National Association of Nigerian Students had earlier kicked against the Federal Government’s approval of a uniform N50,000 fee for candidates.
Education
Coal City University Slams Sahara Reporters Report as False, Malicious, Demands Retraction
Education
Nigerian Polymath Kamdi Okeke Graduates Summa Cum Laude, Secures Historic $442,044 Medical Scholarship in USA
Kamdi Okeke, 21, an international student from Nigeria on June 11, 2026, graduated summa cum laude (First-Class with Highest Distinction) from Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering.
This August, with a 3.95 GPA, a 521 MCAT, and rich background in community service, Biomedical and AI innovation, he is heading to medical school to pursue his MD. After recieving acceptances from five top-tier U.S. institutions – including the Ivy League’s Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) – and a waitlist spot at Johns Hopkins, he is ready to begin his medical journey. His admission to UPenn comes with one of the most significant academic honors in the United States: the Perelman School of Medicine Twenty-First Century Scholars’ Award. This meritorious scholarship covers the full cost of tuition, fees and attendance for the four-year MD program – a testament to his status as one of the most promising medical students in the United States.
Okeke’s Award letter reads in part, “Congratulations!You have been selected to recieve the prestigious Twenty-First Century Scholars’ Award at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. This meritorious scholarship … provides 4 years of full tuition and fees for the MD program. Beyond its significant financial value, the award recognizes an applicant’s outstanding achievement and leadership across a variety of domains, including natural, social and behavioral sciences, arts and humanities, civic and global engagement, community service, and entrepreneurship. Receiving this award is also a testament to your future leadership potential within medicine and healthcare, which we look forward to developing further at Perelman School of Medicine. Our stellar faculty is committed to providing you with a comprehensive medical education that is enriched with myriad curricular opportunities and extracurricular experiences to help you attain all of your career goals … We are all here to support your medical education at the Perelman School of Medicine, and hope you will make Philadelphia your home for the next several years, if not beyond! … we look forward to the privilege of providing you with a superlative education within a phenomenal University community.”
This award, one of the most prestigious in global medical education, follows Okeke’s trajectory of excellence that spans two continents and multiple disciplines.
A Foundation of Excellence/COVID-19 Community Response in Nigeria
Okeke’s journey to the pinnacle of American medical education began in Enugu, Nigeria. A true polymath, he graduated top of his Spring of Life Secondary School class of 2021, recording historic performance with straight distinctions in WAEC/SSCE.
Earlier at 15, Okeke demonstrated leadership in community service during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 when he founded Youth Advocacy Against COVID-19 (YAAC) in Enugu. The initiative mobilized student volunteers to promote public health awareness through social media campaign on coronavirus containment.
The group also designed, produced and distributed protective face shields against Covid-19 infection. Speaking to a Nigeria national daily, The Sun, on 26 November, 2020, concerning the face shield project, Okeke explained, “We developed a cost-effective design for transparent face shields using Fusion 360 design software to create the visual representation of the face shield we wanted to make. Then, to keep our organization out of project pinch and have a proper project plan over time, we developed Gantt Charts, our project management tool, which assisted us in the planning and scheduling aspects of the projects, indicating the status of, as well as who is responsible for, each task in the project. We were thus able to effectively manage time and resources to maximize production. To fund the project, we emptied our piggy banks as we searched for, and procured, the materials for the production of the face shields: transparent film, 1.75mm thick foam, elastic bands, gum, adhesive tape, stapler machine, pins and other miscellaneous materials. After purchasing the first stock of the raw materials, we converted the family study into a makeshift workshop and production started.”
The group distributed more than 2000 protective face shields to healthcare workers and students across hospitals and schools in Enugu state, supporting frontline pandemic response efforts.
Awards at Drexel University
During his undergraduate studies in the US, Okeke’s tenure was marked by significant contributions to the scientific and entrepreneurial communities. He distinguished himself through academic excellence, innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership, earning multiple competitive awards. These include:
(i) Paul Scheffler Endowed Award: Recognition for “Outstanding Contribution” to his field of study – for two consecutive years, 2025 and 2026,
(ii) Baiada Institute Innovation Tournament — 1st place prize, 2024 – awarded for the most compelling startup concept and strongest presentation to the judging panel,
(iii) Spring Drexel Startups Fund Competition Winner, 2024 & 2026, granted to startups/ventures demonstrating exceptional ideas with clear value propositions, strong execution capabilities, and scalable business models,
(iv) Tau Beta Pi (TBP) National Engineering Honor Society Membership, 2024, recognizing students in the top eight percent of their engineering class,
(v) Dean’s List — winter 2022 to graduation
(vi) A.J. Drexel Scholarship and Drexel Grants: 2022 – 2026, in recognition of his undergraduate potential.
Research Work at University of Pennsylvania
Okeke participated in orthopedic research at the McKay Orthopedic Research Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania, where, besides contributing to develop wearable sensor algorithms quantifying real-world knee loading in veterans with osteoarthritis, he worked on biomechanics and rehabilitation studies investigating mobility during pregnancy, and tendon healing following injury.
His work contributed to ongoing studies aimed at understanding degenerative joint conditions and improving musculoskeletal health outcomes.
Meddibia: Bridging Healthcare Technology Gaps in Nigeria
As an intern working with modern Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems in U.S. healthcare settings, and worried by his own experience with paper-based medical record back home in Nigeria, Okeke identified an opportunity to improve healthcare equity in sub-Saharan Africa. He collaborated with two other partners in Meddibia, an AI-powered healthcare software startup, to develop Meddibia EMR (Electronic Medical Record) system tailored for low-resource environments of sub-Saharan Africa.
The platform digitizes paper medical records while maintaining functionality despite unreliable electricity and internet connectivity. The goal is to modernize healthcare documentation and improve patient access across sub-Saharan Africa.
The team emerged the top winner of the spring 2024 Drexel Startups Fund Competition hosted by the Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship.
Evaluating and highlighting its mission to digitize medical records in underserved regions, the Philadelphia-based Starter’s Review, a news outlet that covers broader Philadelphia startup landscape, on August 20, 2024, hailed Meddibia as “a beacon of hope for millions of people in developing countries.” It went further to write, “The Drexel community is proud to support these young innovators”.
WazobiaCode: Expanding Opportunities through Coding Education
Motivated by economic inequality he witnessed amongst his peers while growing up in Nigeria, Okeke led a multi-disciplinary team of Nigerian students in the U.S. who co-founded WazobiaCode, a nonprofit initiative dedicated to teaching programming skills to underserved youth across sub-Saharan Africa.
The organization launched a pilot online coding boot camp in Nigeria, aimed at equipping young people with marketable digital skills and improving their employment prospects. The initiative competed at the Drexel University Baiada Institute Innovation Tournament in the spring of 2024, and came tops. The award enabled the team to offer the pilot program in Nigeria, free of charge, to participants which equipped hundreds of Nigerian youth with digital skills.
Cofounding Xploit: AI Security Innovation
In November 2025, Okeke turned his attention to the burgeoning field of AI security. He co-founded Xploit, an autonomous cybersecurity tool designed to identify vulnerabilities in AI agents. The platform addresses emerging risks as businesses increasingly deploy AI systems capable of performing real-world actions using integrated tools.
The team developed Xploit as an automated red-teaming platform that simulates attacks on AI agents to detect weaknesses before malicious actors can exploit them. The startup first pitched at the
Startup-in-a-Weekend Hackathon hosted by The Foundry & Velric between November 21 to 23, 2025 in Philadelphia where it competed amongst over 100 entries and won the star prize in the “New Project Track” category.
Later, Xploit proved its worth at the Venture Building Hackathon in Philadelphia hosted, March 12 – 14, 2026, by United Effects Ventures (UEV), a pre-seed venture studio sponsored by JP Morgan, Nvidia and others.
Outperforming 15 other competing teams, Xploit secured the grand prize, with industry experts hailing Xploit’s pivot toward a “continuous red-teaming model” as the definitive future of AI vulnerability management, a promising solution particularly for small and medium-sized businesses lacking dedicated cybersecurity teams.
Lately, on June 9, 2026, Xploit got a further boost in the spring 2026 Drexel Startups Fund Competition where it won the star prize in funding, in addition to access to mentorship, incubation space in the Baiada Institute, and introduction to angel and venture capital funding from the University’s alumni network.
A Path toward Medicine and Global Impact
For Okeke, the upcoming move to medical training at UPenn is less of a pivot and more of a convergence. His work to date which sits at a rare and vital intersection – spanning biomedical research, automated AI safety platforms, and youth empowerment – reflects a deeply rooted commitment to leveling playing fields and democratizing technology.
His trajectory stands as a powerful testament to what is possible, offering a masterclass in global ambition for international students, demonstrating that a rigorous Nigerian secondary school education can serve as a launch pad to the highest echelons of the Ivy League. More than just a personal milestone, his story underscores the rising tide of Nigerian innovators shaping global academia, and the immense potential of tech-driven solutions to close worldwide healthcare disparities.
Ultimately, Okeke’s journey, stretching from distinction-strewn beginnings in Enugu to the historic halls of Ivy League medicine, embodies the true spirit of a modern polymath: versatile, resilient, and relentlessly excellent.
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