Education
FG poised to tackle gender dimension of poverty, inequality – Education Minister
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
The Federal Government has expressed determination to tackle gender dimension of poverty by addressing discrimination, deprivation and deep inequality which have continued to hinder overall development of the country.
Prof. Tahir Mamman (SAN), Honourable Minister of Education disclosed this at the 9th Distinguished Public Lecture of the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) at the Felele Campus of the University in Lokoja.
The lecture was organised by the institution in collaboration with the Institute for Gender Studies (IGS) with the theme: “Addressing the Intersectionality of Poverty and Gender in North-Central Nigeria.”
The Minister who was represented by the Vice Chancellor of FUL, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, said that the theme of the lecture addressed an issue that is both important and germane to the socio-economic growth of the North-Central region and the entire country.
He described poverty as a persistent challenge in Nigeria, and especially, more pronounced in certain regions, including North-Central Nigeria. However, poverty cannot be viewed in isolation.
Prof. Tahir said, “As Minister of Education, I am particularly pleased with the choice of today’s theme because it aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to gender equality and poverty alleviation.
“The Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is deeply committed to tackling these challenges because addressing these interconnected issues is crucial if we are to realize the full potential of our people and our nation”, he said.
In his opening remarks, Vice Chancellor of FUL, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, hinted that the Distinguished Public Lecture series was established as a platform to bring together scholars, policymakers, and the public to deliberate on key issues of national and global importance.
Akinwumi said the topic, “Addressing the Intersectionality of Poverty and Gender,” could not be more timely and relevant as “In North-Central Nigeria, poverty disproportionately affects women, limiting their access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
“When compounded by cultural, social, and economic factors, these challenges become deeply embedded in the fabric of society, making it difficult to break the cycle of inequality.
“Research has shown that gender inequality worsens poverty, and poverty in turn reinforces gender disparity.
“Understanding this complex intersection and addressing it from a holistic perspective is essential if we are to make meaningful progress in reducing poverty and achieving gender equity”, he said.
The Guest Lecturer, Barr Dr Zainab Marwa-Ahubakar in her the lecture, “Addressing the Intersectionality of Poverty and Gender in North-Central Nigeria”, said there was need for community-driven collaborations with policy makers on issues of gender.
She hinted that from findings, 71.5 per cent of Nigerian women live below poverty line while 53 per cent have no access to Education with 43 per cent drop-out rate and among the educated, only 34 per cent are employed.
Dr Zainab Marwa-Abubakar said that the Institute of Gender Studies was out to build stronger and more resilient communities to address issues of intersectionality between gender and poverty.
“We want to promote gender equality, social justice and human rights, thorough education, health and well-being and of course, to encourage political participation, social protection and justice”, she said.
Highlight of the Distinguished Public Lecture was the investiture of the Dr Zainab Marwa-Abubakar with Advisory Membership of the Board of the Gender Studies in recognition of her Leadership prowess. (Ends)
The Managing Director and CEO of the Bank of Industry (BOI), Dr. Olasupo Olusi, has called for a comprehensive curriculum overhaul in Nigerian universities to better align with global trends and equip graduates with practical skills. Speaking at the 10th special convention of the Ekiti State University Alumni Association in Abuja, Dr. Olusi highlighted the urgent need to bridge the gap between theory and practical application in Nigerian higher education.
Dr. Olusi noted that while Nigeria is rich in human and natural resources, progress in technology and economic development remains slow due to universities’ focus on theoretical knowledge over hands-on training. He emphasized that significant investments in research and technical skill development are essential for positioning Nigeria as a competitive force in the global economy.
Echoing this sentiment, Ekiti State University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joseph Ayodele, called on alumni to contribute to their alma mater, emphasizing that alumni support plays a critical role in building a strong academic foundation and fostering innovative research. The institution’s Chancellor, Dr. Tunji Olowolafe, similarly urged alumni associations to prioritize initiatives that support university growth and student success.
Global President of the Ekiti State University Alumni Association, Dipo Bamisaye, stressed the need for Nigerian universities to continuously pursue excellence to remain competitive globally. Dr. Wale Jegede, Chairman of the institution’s Board of Trustees, commended the state governor for his dedication to quality education, particularly through the appointment of capable academics to guide the university’s progress.
The convention also honored notable alumni who have made significant contributions to the university’s development. Among those recognized were Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, former presidential aide Mr. Kingsley Kuku, Chancellor Dr. Tunji Olowolafe, Vice-Chancellor Professor Joseph Ayodele, and BOI MD Dr. Olasupo Olusi.
Reinforcing its commitment to the institution’s advancement, the Bank of Industry recently proposed a 2.5 billion Naira development fund to Ekiti State University, underscoring its dedication to driving growth in Nigeria’s educational sector.
The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) have announced a nationwide indefinite strike beginning Monday.
This decision, coordinated by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of non-teaching university staff unions, is in protest of unpaid salaries withheld during a past strike involving the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) under the previous administration.
The JAC, in a circular addressed to branch chairmen of NASU and SSANU, stated that the strike, initially set for October 23, was postponed to October 27 to align with the Trade Group Council meeting held in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
The document, signed by NASU General Secretary Prince Peters Adeyemi and SSANU President Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, cited delays from the Ministry of Finance in implementing President Bola Tinubu’s recent directive to release 50 percent of the outstanding four-month salaries.
The unions expressed frustration over the government’s perceived lack of commitment to resolve the issue, emphasizing their readiness to maintain the strike until all withheld salaries are released.
The JAC’s circular read: “We express our deepest appreciation for your steadfast commitment to the leadership and we affirm our determination to persist in this struggle until ultimate victory is secured.”
The decision highlights ongoing labor tensions in Nigeria’s education sector, as non-teaching staff urge the government to uphold previous agreements and fulfill financial obligations.
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
A professor of Political Science and former Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akoko Akungba, Prof. Nahzeem Olufemi Mimiko, has advocated reimagining as the only way to overcome challenges bedeviling Nigerian universities.
He said that reimagining was requisite to make the institutions to be competitive, and capable of driving wholesome national development
Prof. Mimiko made the remarks in a lecture at the 8th Convocation Lecture of Federal University Lokoja (FUL) on the the topic: “Reimaging Nigeria’s (University) Education For Wholesome National Development” held at Felele Campus, Lokoja.
He also identified poor funding and corruption in the system as some of the major obstacles to the nation’s university education system
Mimiko noted that corruption has assumed endemic proportion requiring reimaging, radical rethink to reposition Nigeria’s university education system away from the negative status quo.
The foremost Nigeria. Educational Administrator and the only Vice Chancellor delegate at the National Conference in Nigeria held in 2014 under the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan decried what he called mediocre level of funding of universities in Nigeria.
According to him Nigeria remains one of the countries in the world that are yet to meet the UNESCO-recommended threshold for education funding, at 15 to 20 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (UNESCO, 2015)”
Prof. Mimiko noted that physical facilities for teaching and learning in the Nigeria’s tertiary education were inadequate, dilapidated, overstretched/overcrowded and improvised.
The Professor of Political Science and International Relations reiterated his stance that the dearth of basic learning resources could equally be attributed to corruption adding that majority of the universities in the country were grossly understaffed.
“I reference corruption here not just in the narrow sense as financial corruption, but also reflected in inanities like provincialism; and cultivation of crop of indolent staff.
“The only way to overcome challenges bedeviling Nigerian universities is the reimagining requisite for making these institutions to be competitive, and capable of driving wholesome national development”
Comparing university education with that of Polytechnic, Professor Mimiko recommended that university education in Nigeria should remain focused on the more conceptual dimension of the knowledge enterprise.
He said that technical education as being administered by polytechnics should be devoted to producing middle level manpower in technical competencies.
Prof. Mimiko also maintained that the nation must adopt learning and teaching in local languages for it to grow and develop adding that teaching in the local languages remain the panacea.
He stated that the nation’s present educational system where learning is done in foreign languages was counterproductive urging Nigeria to take a cue from China, India, Japan among others that teach in their local languages.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Lokoja, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi said that the lecture is geared towards providing intellectual discuss and described the guest lecturer as erudite scholar who knows his onions.
“We are committed to celebrating our academic excellence as the topic of the lecture is very relevant to our future career and guidance
“The lecture no doubt will contribute immensely to Nigeria’s educational and economic landscape” Professor Olayemi Akinwumi said. (Ends)
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