To address Africa’s socio-economic and political problems to bring about development, the Alumni Association of the National Institute in conjunction with the African School of Governance (ASG), Kigali, Rwanda, held a High-Level Strategic Dialogue on Governance Education in Africa.
The dialogue held at the Army Resource Centre in Abuja, brought together key technocrats from government and education sectors within the continent to brainstorm on ways to build the culture of good governance in Africa, how to educate and raise a new crop of leaders to secure the future of governance in the continent.
The Keynote Speaker at the event and President of Africa School of Governance, Kigali, Rwanda, Professor Kingsley Moghalu pointed out that the institutions responsible for education of citizens and raising leaders are running on old curriculums while the rest of the world is already ahead.
Delivering a paper titled, “The Future of Governance Education in Africa: Charting a Path toward Excellence and Innovation” professor Moghalu said Africa must develop it’s educational systems based on what actually works for the continent rather than the copy and paste approach in curriculum that does not resonate with the people.
“We need people that are technocrats, development is identity, we develop based on the context of our identity, we must think deeply about governance and governance education in Africa. Every society has the right to decide how it should be governed and must be true to the process of that governance.
“The people must be educated on that system. We must bridge the gap in knowledge and ensure that those electing leaders are not doing so on wrong foundations and wrong ideological motives”
Professor Kingsley Moghalu stressed that competence of the people holding positions and their level of knowledge of the policies that are required to govern matters.
He said it is important that the crop of leaders that would deliver good governance are well aware of what it takes to govern and their ability to deliver to the people their promises.
“The curriculum of Governance education must include world view, we must have Innovators in governance education and Technology has a greater role in the future of education and governance because it must be data driven decisions”
“As we navigate the complexities of the 21st century, it has become increasingly clear that effective governance is the cornerstone of sustainable development, social justice, and economic prosperity. To achieve these goals, we must invest in a robust and forward-thinking system of governance education that equips the leaders of tomorrow with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to foster positive change.”
Highlighting some of the challenges facing Governance Education in Africa, he listed limitations in Access to quality education, inadequate infrastructure, insufficient funding, and a shortage of qualified educators, outdated curricula, lack of Practical experience, political interference in educational institutions amongst other hindrances.
In proffering solutions to these challenges, the Professor said it is important that the continent adopt a multifaceted approach that encompasses several key strategies including but not limited to expanding Access to Education, and leveraging technology to provide online and distance learning opportunities.
Other approaches he said are modernising curricula that emphasize critical thinking, Promoting Practical Experience, Enhancing practical experience through internships, fieldwork, and experiential learning, Partnerships, ensuring Academic Freedom from political interference amongst others.
Other technocrats who made presentations at the Dialogue include the Director General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (ICPR), Dr. Joseph Ochegwu, and the Director General National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, Professor Abubakar Sulaiman.
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