At the National Education Stakeholders Conference 2024 held in Ikeja, Lagos, various stakeholders emphasized the need for transparency and public accountability in the collaboration between the government and private initiatives to enhance Nigeria’s education sector. The conference, themed “Private Initiatives and the Nigerian Education Sector: Gains, Shortfalls, and Way Forward,” aimed to evaluate the contributions of the private sector to the socio-economic development of the country.
Mrs. Modupe Onabanjo, the Chief Executive Officer of Education Update International and Education Sector Television International, opened the conference by highlighting the importance of assessing the impact of private sector involvement in education. She stated, “We are here to discuss ways to restrategize on our numerous activities, to note specifically where we are, where we are supposed to be, and how to get there. Everything is not about the government alone.”
Onabanjo underscored the need for the government to fulfill its responsibilities and not take the recommendations from such gatherings lightly. She called for a collaborative effort where the private sector is willing to engage with the government, provided the government remains accountable in its dealings.
In her keynote address, Prof. Sidi Osho, the pioneer Vice Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, stressed the importance of collaboration between the government and private sector, especially given the current economic challenges facing the nation. She noted that initiatives like scholarships and philanthropic contributions are vital to assist underprivileged students and improve school facilities.
However, Osho cautioned that a lack of transparency in the government’s collaboration efforts could deter private sector participation. She pointed out that “the private sector is a key driver of innovation,” and that companies investing in research and development play a crucial role in enhancing the economy and improving living standards.
The conference aimed to foster dialogue on effective strategies for collaboration between public and private entities to elevate the standards of education in Nigeria, ensuring that all parties work together transparently and accountably for the benefit of the sector and the nation as a whole.