Stakeholders demand urgent education reforms at LaPRSC 2025

Education reforms must be clear, inclusive, and actionable, say experts at LaPRSC 2025, calling for urgent government and private sector collaboration

Education reforms took center stage at the 12th Lagos Public Relations Stakeholders’ Conference (LaPRSC 2025), where experts called for bold action to fix Nigeria’s ailing education system.

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Held at the iconic Muson Centre, the conference brought together industry leaders, educators, and policymakers who agreed that education in Nigeria is at a crossroads—and must be rescued with actionable policies, inclusive investments, and clear communication.

“Policies Must Drive Action, Not Paper” — TotalEnergies’ Adesua Adewole

Adesua Adewole, General Manager at TotalEnergies, warned that without real implementation, education policies would remain toothless.

“Policies should not just be written on paper—they should power education,” she declared.

She spotlighted TotalEnergies’ impactful interventions, from founding the Institute of Petroleum and Energy Studies (IPES) with over 700 postgraduates, to distributing ICT equipment and awarding 30,000+ scholarships in host communities.

Her message: real progress comes from execution, not bureaucracy.

“Policy Without Communication Fails” — CADEF’s Prof. Ndukwe-Okafor

Professor Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor, Executive Director of CADEF, emphasized the power of effective communication in policy success.

She outlined three critical steps:

• Clarity – Use simple language.
• Accessibility – Reach youth where they are.
• Engagement – Include youth in conversations.

“When policy communication is clear and participatory, it transforms policies into action,” she said, citing successful youth programs in Rwanda and Singapore.

She warned that mistrust, digital divides, and lack of youth involvement were key reasons many Nigerian policies fail.

Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, reiterated the state’s dedication to an inclusive, tech-driven education system.

From building 17 new schools and offering free WAEC exams, to expanding digital literacy, vocational training, and AI education, Lagos is investing heavily in youth development.

He also highlighted financial empowerment programs like:

• ₦500bn Uptick Guarantee Fund
• Assam Eco Loan Scheme
• ₦25m disbursed through the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund

“Build the youth, build the nation,” Alli-Balogun stated, underscoring education’s central role in economic transformation.

Across private sector, civil society, and government, one message echoed clearly at LaPRSC 2025: Nigeria must prioritize education reforms that are data-driven, transparent, and inclusive.

Speakers emphasized that without strong collaboration and accountability, the dream of transforming education would remain distant.

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“Education is not a luxury,” Prof. Ndukwe-Okafor concluded. “It’s the most vital investment any nation can make.”

Peculiar Adirika