The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) has urged governments at all levels to take practical steps towards restructuring Nigeria’s education system to align with global standards and prepare students for competitiveness in today’s world.

Chief Executive Officer of PPDC, Lucy Abagi, made the call in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), who presented her with an honorary award of excellence for her contributions to promoting good governance.

Abagi stressed the need for actionable reforms beyond policy statements, arguing that Nigerian youths are talented, innovative, and ready to excel if provided with the right platforms.

“Nigerian youths are talented and innovative. They are not lazy. The governments must wake up to their responsibilities and take practical steps to support them in achieving their dreams. It must not be in paper alone; prompt and practical steps must be taken to address this,” she said.

She lamented the poverty levels in the country, noting that many homes struggle to provide daily meals while numerous students face difficulties paying tuition fees and sustaining themselves in school.

On the award, Abagi said the recognition was a testament to the students’ commitment to transparency and accountability. “Your voices, courage, strength, and persistence remind us that the struggle for accountability is not for the future; it is for today. By choosing to place transparency and good governance at the centre of your aspirations, you are affirming that sustainable development, justice, and prosperity cannot exist without openness and accountability,” she stated.

Presenting the award, the chairperson of the National Association of University Students (NAUS), FCT chapter, Salamatu Dawood, praised Abagi for her unwavering advocacy for justice, transparency, and accountability, describing her as a role model in the fight for a better Nigeria.