The Nigerian Academy of Education (NAE) has urged President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the education sector, highlighting the urgent need to overhaul Nigeria’s educational system.

At its 38th annual congress, NAE called for a comprehensive review of the National Policy on Education, last updated over a decade ago, and recommended transferring control of the 115 Federal Government Colleges to state governments to streamline oversight. The NAE also emphasized the importance of collaboration between federal and state authorities to enhance educational development and called for fair remuneration for educators.

NAE President Prof. Kabiru Isyaku outlined various structural challenges, including the lack of synergy between federal and state governments and the federal role in secondary school management, which he described as inconsistent with global practices. He suggested that the federal government should focus on policy and quality assurance rather than direct management. The academy also raised concerns over the proliferation of educational institutions, urging a moratorium on new schools until existing ones meet regulatory standards.

Keynote speaker Prof. Alhas Nok of Nasarawa State University pointed to corruption and mismanagement as major impediments to progress in the sector, highlighting concerns over resource misappropriation, nepotism in leadership appointments, and declining educational standards. The event also celebrated the induction of 26 new academy members and honored Sunny Echono, Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), for his contributions to Nigeria’s educational advancement.