Governor Mbah declares Nigeria’s outdated educational system a significant obstacle to progress, urging immediate reforms for growth.
Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has emphasized the need for a fundamental change in Nigeria’s education system, asserting that the current model is inadequate for fostering rapid development and economic transformation.
He proposed a transition from rote memorization to experiential learning, which he identified as essential for linking education with industrialization and GDP growth.
During the inaugural Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Distinguished Personalities Lecture Series, titled “Experiential Learning: Building the Wealth of the Nation,” Mbah questioned the absence of Nigerian universities in global rankings and their failure to serve as innovation hubs.
He attributed these shortcomings to a long-standing educational approach that has not equipped students with the necessary skills for productivity, which he believes is a fundamental cause of the nation’s underdevelopment.
Highlighting the historical significance of knowledge as a driver of progress, he pointed to countries like the United States, China, Germany, and the Netherlands, which excel due to their investments in quality experiential education.
Mbah is currently establishing 260 Smart Green Schools across Enugu State to facilitate experiential learning, aiming to create a continuous educational pathway from foundational knowledge to practical innovation.
He also mandated that all state-owned tertiary institutions adopt experiential learning methodologies moving forward.
We hereby declare a policy mandating that all state-owned tertiary institutions in Enugu State must implement Experiential Learning for our students. This transformation should be evident in planning, budgeting, curriculum development, assessment, promotions, and research initiatives.
Experiential learning creates a strong link between education and real-world challenges and opportunities, promoting critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. It encourages students to view themselves as active problem-solvers rather than passive recipients of knowledge.
In support of this initiative, Mbah highlighted his administration’s commitment to allocating 33 percent of the state budget to education, lamenting that in developed countries, leaders face consequences for even minor declines in educational standards, while many prioritize immediate infrastructure projects.
He emphasized that the most effective policies may not always generate significant public attention but are crucial for human development. Quality education is transformative and essential for a brighter future, which is why one-third of Enugu State’s annual budget is dedicated to this sector, significantly exceeding UNESCO’s recommended 15 to 20 percent.
This investment has facilitated a comprehensive overhaul of both infrastructure and teaching methods within the education system, marking a shift from a passive learning environment to one that embraces experiential learning.
Our Smart Green Schools initiative has established a ‘cut-off point’ that focuses on children as young as three years old, aiming to instill essential social and health habits, fine motor skills, and problem-solving abilities. This approach introduces them to an experiential education framework designed to equip them for success in a rapidly changing, technology-driven environment.
The governor announced the ongoing construction of eight Science, Technical, and Vocational (STV) schools throughout Enugu State, beginning with the Government Technical College (GTC) in Enugu.
In a related event, the Vice Chancellor of ESUT, Prof. Alloysius-Michael Okolie, along with Pro-Chancellor Sir Chinyeaka Oha and public lecture chairman Prof. Obiora Ike, praised Governor Mbah for his significant investments in education and his transformative leadership across various sectors.
During the visit, the governor also inaugurated the Dr. Peter Mbah Multipurpose Auditorium, a tribute from the ESUT leadership recognizing his contributions to the institution’s rapid advancement.
Peoplesmind
