UNESCO advocates collective efforts to enhance Nigeria’s Education System

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has called for collective and sustained efforts to build a robust, inclusive, and high-quality education system in Nigeria.

This advocacy aligns with ongoing collaborations between UNESCO and the Nigerian government to review and refine the National Teacher Education Policy, ensuring it effectively addresses the nation’s evolving educational needs.

The Head of UNESCO Nigeria, Mr. Abdourahamane Diallo, emphasized the significance of this initiative during the National Stakeholders Workshop for the Validation of the Reviewed National Teachers Education Policy held in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
He described the teacher education sub-sector as critical to shaping Nigeria’s future, stressing the need to strengthen teachers’ capacity and resilience.

Speaking on the validation process, Mr. Diallo stated that the revised policy reflects the aspirations of educators for a profession that is both attractive and highly regarded.
He highlighted that the policy aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 4c (SDG 4c), which seeks to increase the supply of qualified teachers globally by 2030.

“The policy aims to support the achievement of the SDG 4c target by ensuring international cooperation for teacher training in developing countries, particularly in least-developed countries and small island developing states,” Diallo explained.

He added that the revised policy focuses on producing teachers who are “Empowered, adequately recruited, well-trained, professionally qualified, motivated, and supported within well-resourced, efficient, and effectively governed systems,” in accordance with the UNESCO Teacher Policy Development.

The Education Minister of State emphasised that if a nation has quality teachers, it will have quality education.

“It is hoped that this will reposition the Country to move from a resource-based economy to a knowledge based economy. This administration understands that the quality of education in any nation is intrinsically tied to the caliber of its teachers. Thus, ensuring that Nigerian Teachers are equipped with the right tools, knowledge, and support is a priority for the Ministry of Education,” he said.

The Ministerial Committee, in collaboration with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) under the European Union sponsored project has worked to review and refine the National Teacher Education Policy to ensure that it responds effectively to the evolving educational needs of our country.

PIAK