By Wuraola Oyedokun
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, on Thursday said the Federal Government was committed to building the Africa of tomorrow through education-led development, anchored on innovation, inclusiveness, and strong institutions.
Alausa stated this at a colloquium on “The Future of Africa” and the public presentation of books organised to mark the 80th birthday celebration of a former Minister of Education, Emeritus Professor Tunde Adeniran. The programme was held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan [UI], Oyo State.
The minister, who noted that Africa’s Agenda 2063 already provided a road-map under the mantra “The Africa We Want,” stressed that the continent’s future was not a distant dream but a project being actively constructed.
“When we speak of the future of Africa, we are intermittently speaking of education. And when we speak of education in Nigeria, the name of Professor Adeniran resonates with a parallel significance,” the Minister stated.
He described Professor Adeniran as a teacher, mentor, diplomat, policy shaper, and advocate of the transformative power of knowledge, whose career from academia to government had shown that education must ignite critical thinking, ethical leadership, and patriotism. According to him, the public presentation of Adeniran’s books represents more than just additions to library shelves, but the codification of a rich intellectual legacy, repositories of wisdom and roadmaps for national and continental development. The minister, who was represented by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, explained that the Federal Government’s vision for Africa’s future required the urgent redesign of curricula from primary to tertiary levels to integrate science, technology, engineering, the arts, mathematics, the medical sciences, digital literacy, critical thinking, and entrepreneurship. He stressed that Africa must begin to produce graduates who are not just job seekers, but job creators.
Alausa pointed out that no education system could rise above the quality of its teachers, stressing that the future demanded educators who were well-trained, technologically adept, adequately remunerated, and deeply valued. He pledged that government policies would restore dignity to the teaching profession and make it a first-choice career for Nigeria’s best minds.
The minister emphasised that the Africa of tomorrow could not be built on the talents of a few, hence the need to dismantle barriers of gender, geography, and economics that hinder children’s access to education. While stating the need for greater attention to out-of-school children, early childhood education, and the creation of inclusive learning environments, the minister noted that tertiary institutions must become engines of national development by strengthening linkages with industry, promoting research that addresses local challenges in agriculture, healthcare and renewable energy, and fostering a culture of innovation.
Speaking on Professor Adeniran, the Minister said celebrating his 80th birthday was a call to action to embrace the future he had envisioned.
He said:”Your life is a testament to the fact that one individual, armed with conviction and integrity, can indeed shape the destiny of a nation. Let the discussions we have here today translate to actionable policies in our various spheres of influence. The future of Africa is bright, but its brilliance depends on the light of knowledge we give today’’.
Other speakers at the event identified poor governance, leadership deficit, weak productivity among the youth, and corruption as major obstacles to Africa’s development.
In his remarks, a former Edo State Governor, Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, said Africa’s progress depended on choices leaders made to promote inclusive development, warning that Nigeria risked being left behind if impunity and disregard for democratic values persisted.
Also speaking, Professor Isaac Olawale Albert of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies of the premier university said insecurity and leadership gaps were stunting growth, while Prof. Adebola Ekanola, a former acting Vice Chancellor of the university, urged leaders to diversify economies and embrace emerging technologies through youth empowerment.
Also contributing, Prof. Hassan Saliu, called for bridging the gap between leaders and citizens, insisting that governance must be people-centred, while Prof. Jerry Ugokwe advocated stronger judicial independence to ensure checks and balances in democracy.
Speaking, the celebrant, Professor Adeniran, expressed gratitude for the honour, describing the colloquium as an opportunity to reflect on the future of the continent.
“One of the things that should be of concern to us now is our future. God has not withdrawn from us the natural and human resources He gave us. In fact, we are discovering more resources. Yet, when you consider certain things happening, one is frightened. If things continue this way, what type of future do we have?” he asked.
Earlier, in his address, Professor Ayo Fadahunsi noted that Africa’s strength lay in its youthful population, which he said could turn disadvantages into opportunities if properly harnessed.
The event also featured the public presentation of Professor Adeniran’s books. Dignitaries present at the event included Ambassador Michael Omolewa, Professor Rashid Aderinoye, Senator Ben Obi, Ambassador Akinremi Bolaji, a former Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Primate Ola Makinde; a former Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Professor Eddy Olanipekun; Professor Bola Akinterinwa, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, Hon Taiwo Akeju, members of the University of Ibadan Class of 1967, and a host of others.
