Nigeria’s education system has come under intense scrutiny, with the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, attributing the country’s high unemployment rates to the outdated curriculum. Ganduje’s remarks came during the commencement of the Enterprise Skills Development Training (EDET) program for youths in Lagos, organized by the APC’s National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel.
Ganduje emphasized that the current curriculum fails to equip students with the necessary skills to compete in the modern job market, leading to a surge in unemployment rates. He called for a drastic overhaul of Nigeria’s education curriculum, citing its emphasis on theoretical learning as the root cause of the country’s high unemployment rates and societal vices.
Ganduje lamented that Nigerian graduates are well-versed in English but lack practical skills, unlike their counterparts in countries like China and India, where skills acquisition is integrated into the curriculum from primary school to secondary school. He highlighted that the current system produces graduates who are only good at speaking English but cannot embark on development projects that benefit society.
The APC chairman urged the youths to rethink their approach and prioritize learning a skill while still in school, emphasizing that certification alone is not enough. He encouraged them to think outside the box, develop their skills, and become entrepreneurs, offering services to the society. Ganduje stressed that the government cannot provide jobs for everyone, and it is up to individuals to create their own opportunities and contribute to Nigeria’s growth and development.
Ganduje’s comments reflect a growing concern among policymakers and educators about the relevance of Nigeria’s education system to the modern job market. The focus on theoretical learning has led to a skills gap that hinders graduates from contributing effectively to the economy. This issue is particularly pressing given Nigeria’s high unemployment rates and the need for innovative solutions to drive economic growth.
The EDET program, which Ganduje lauded, aims to bridge this skills gap by providing practical training to youths. The program emphasizes the importance of skills acquisition and practical learning, aligning with Ganduje’s call for a curriculum overhaul. By integrating skills-based education into the curriculum, Nigeria can produce graduates who are both theoretically sound and practically equipped to drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and societal progress.
