Bridging Nigeria’s Education Gap: Experts Emphasize Core Skills Development

Bridging Nigeria’s Education Gap: Experts Emphasize Core Skills Development

Industry experts in the educational sector have said professionals must acquire major core skills to bridge the educational supply gap in Nigeria.

“Leveraging technology is the most required skill to enable educators to carry out learning activities effectively,” Folashade Adefisayo, CEO, Leading Learning Limited said during her keynote speech at the Educational Supply Showcase Conference 2024.

According to her, educators no longer need to invest in physical equipment. Instead, they should embrace the power of technology as Nigeria is gaining global momentum.

During a panel discussion, Dori Chinedu-Okoro, founder and CEO of Evergreen Group, reinforced this perspective, stating that technology is crucial for content delivery.

“Every educator needs technology to power content as tech is the major driver of various contents,” she noted.

Chinedu-Okoro also emphasised the importance of partnerships and collaborations in ensuring quality education for learners.

To maintain a competitive landscape for students on a global level, Chinedu-Okoro advised schools to revisit their curricula proactively rather than waiting for governmental updates. She also stressed the inclusion of communication skills in students’ agendas, highlighting the difference between knowledge acquisition and effective communication.

Addressing the human capital deficit and the current stage of Nigeria’s educational system, Emmanuel Tarfa, CEO and co-founder of Kryptr, identified talent shortage as a critical challenge.

“The biggest challenge is not strategy but talents, which poses a crisis in the educational sector. Major educators lack the 3Cs: comprehension, communication, and compassion, necessary to excel in their careers,” Tarfa explained.

Moses Egwuom, managing director of Goldenville Schools, pointed out issues hindering growth within the educational system. He noted that many educators suffer from low self-esteem, impacting their performance.

Egwuom advised parents to involve their children in voluntary services to help them acquire entrepreneurial skills and adapt to learning environments more effectively.

Egwuom also advised educators to focus on foundational skills despite the importance of technology. “Anything that enhances your mindset and intellectual capacity as an educator should be a priority. Dealing with students requires you to be mentally sound. For instance, using artificial intelligence tools and other Microsoft software can enhance your job as an educator,” he said.

For Njideka Nwabueze, group head of the education sector at Sterling Bank emphaised that Sterling takes education to heart, which is why the bank is highly recognised in the educational sector.

“So far, we have partnered with different brands to ensure that we serve not only students but also educators in various ways,” she said.

The conference, sponsored by SKLD Integrated Services and Sterling, was attended by various educational elites and students from far and wide. The event also featured various brands including M&G, Epson Express Centre, Canon, Marcel Hughes Schoolwear, HP, and Valuestek.