Sylva joins lawmakers, policymakers to sound warning; seek skill-driven educational model
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
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“The number of out-of-school children is mounting around the country.
“Let me say this: we must decide now or soon enough if we want to continue to be one country. If our decision is in the affirmative, as it should be, then the problem of one part of this country must be the problem of all ….
“The problem of out-of-school children is not a Northern or Southern issue; it’s a Nigerian problem. We must all take collective responsibility in solving it” – Sylva.
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Former Bayelsa Governor Timipre Sylva has joined lawmakers, policymakers, and education advocates to raise the alarm on the growing number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, warning that it poses a major threat to national unity, security, and development.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) estimates that about 10.5 million children aged 5-14 years are not in school in Africa’s most population country, a recurring topic often on the headlines.
The latest concern was expressed at the 2025 Uwais-Maiwada Aid Foundation Impact Forum (UMAF) in Abuja as attendees sought urgent reforms to reposition education as a tool for empowerment, job creation, and national cohesion.
“The number of out-of-school children is mounting around the country,” Sylva said in his address.
“Let me say this: we must decide now or soon enough if we want to continue to be one country. If our decision is in the affirmative, as it should be, then the problem of one part of this country must be the problem of all.”
Sylva stressed that human capital, not natural resources, is Nigeria’s most abundant yet underdeveloped asset.
“The problem of out-of-school children is not a Northern or Southern issue; it’s a Nigerian problem. We must all take collective responsibility in solving it,” he added.
House of Representatives Basic Education Committee Chairman, Mark Useni, underscored the dire situation and stressed that the solution requires the commitment of every Nigerian.
“I am privileged to be the Chairman of the House of Reps Committee on Basic Education, and I can understand what we have out there as far as out-of-school children are concerned,” he said.
“It requires that every concerned Nigerian should come on board to take a step to ensure that the unfortunate trend is reversed.
“For us to sleep peacefully, we must ensure that every child is educated, and so I want to align myself with the vision of the foundation in ensuring that it takes very positive steps to ensure that education becomes at the forefront of its activities.”
Former Transportation Minister Mu’azu Sambo reiterated that Nigeria’s demographic future could turn into a disaster if the country fails to productively engage its youthful population.
“With over 70 per cent of Nigerians below the age of 35, and population projections of 400 million by 2050, the current disconnect between education and employability is a ticking time bomb,” he warned.
“Degrees provide theoretical knowledge, but skills drive execution. Our graduates are largely unemployable because they lack practical capabilities. We must embed digital skills, problem-solving, and innovation into the curriculum.”
Participants at the forum called for increased public-private collaboration to redesign Nigeria’s education system, ensure universal basic education, and foster enterprise-led learning to lift millions out of poverty and reduce youth restiveness.
UMAF Executive Secretary Uwais Maiwada urged the country to shift from theoretical, certificate-based education to a more practical, skill-driven model that prepares young people for modern challenges.
He stressed: “Today we are here not just to discuss challenges but to discover and share solutions.
“By bridging the gap between traditional learning and practical skills, we lay the foundation for a future where every individual can thrive.”
House of Representatives Tertiary Education Fund Committee Chairman, Maria Onuoha, pledged legislative support for initiatives like GAP and UMAF, highlighting the importance of targeting women and marginalised communities.
“As a legislator, I commit to partnering with the foundation, especially to ensure more women benefit from its programmes, When you empower a woman, you empower a nation,” she said.
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