Paschal Emeka, Abuja
The Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has disclosed plans from the House of Representatives to organize a summit on public tertiary education in the country.
Hon. Gbajabiamila disclosed this while addressing House members at the resumption of plenary after the recess for the 2023 budget defense on Monday at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja
“The House continues to work to meet our legislative agenda commitments across all other priority areas. As part of that effort, the House will convene a National Summit on Tertiary Education Reform on Tuesday and Wednesday, the 22nd and 23rd of November 2022.
He explained that the Summit is an opportunity to begin the long overdue national conversation about the future of public tertiary education in Nigeria.
The Speaker further stated that “scholars, tertiary education administrators, and local and international stakeholders have been invited to submit papers on the theme of the Summit, “Reimagining Tertiary Education in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Solutions”, and other sub-themes provided in a call for memoranda.
“The presentations and submissions will inform the policy recommendations of the Summit and be published in a journal for policy action and academic reference. So far, public interest both within and outside Nigeria has been impressive.
“The most consequential decisions we make in government are those that will ensure the vast population of young people in our country is educated and adequately equipped to participate productively in the modern global economy.
“To achieve this, we must ask and answer complex questions about the operating structure of our public tertiary institutions, sustainable funding, education quality, and access.
“I urge all members of the House to participate in this crucial national conversation so that your experience, expertise, and concerns inform the policy recommendations that emerge from the Summit.