The former Minister of Education, Professor Rukayya Ahmed Rufa’i, has said that Northern Nigeria is experiencing regression in education due to weak community participation, poor funding, and a shortage of qualified teachers across the region.
She disclosed this while presenting a paper titled “Delivering Equitable Access to Quality Basic Education in Northern Nigeria: A Time for Real Action” at the 12th Annual Lecture of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Sardauna Memorial Foundation, held in Dutse.
She explained that, according to available data, Nigeria has over 18 million out-of-school children, with Northern Nigeria accounting for more than 70 per cent of the figure.
According to her, limited access to quality education exposes many children to radicalisation, social exclusion, economic unproductivity, high maternal mortality, hunger, and involvement in criminal activities.
Professor Rufa’i identified poor funding, unfriendly school environments, a shortage of qualified teachers, limited community participation, and a lack of cultural alignment in school curricula as major factors undermining educational growth in the region.
She called for practical and purposeful reforms, including adequate funding, the provision of qualified teachers, safe learning environments, and stronger community engagement.
In his remarks, the chairman of the board of trustees of the foundation and former Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Babangida Muazu, expressed concern over the region’s failure to sustain the legacy of Sir Ahmadu Bello, which he said was built on equitable access to quality education, unity, and social cohesion.
Muazu urged stakeholders to learn from history and contribute collectively towards addressing the region’s social, economic, and security challenges.
Also speaking, the chairman of the occasion, who is also the chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, commended the Sir Ahmadu Bello Sardauna Foundation for its commitment to promoting education and good governance.
Governor Yahaya pledged that the Northern Governors’ Forum would champion the implementation of a unified educational reform framework, rather than a fragmented approach, to reposition the region and preserve the ideals of Sir Ahmadu Bello.
Also speaking at the event, Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to partnering with key stakeholders to drive educational reforms and promote good governance across Northern Nigeria.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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