The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Audu has called for collective effort in transforming education in northern Nigeria.
Audu made the statement in a compelling address at the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) in Abuja today during the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation Conference on ‘Education in Northern Nigeria’. The conference aimed to address critical issues facing the region’s education sector.
Audu expressed gratitude to the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation for sponsoring the research initiative and facilitating the conference. He highlighted Sir Ahmadu Bello’s profound contributions to education in Northern Nigeria, emphasising his visionary efforts to modernise Islamic education and integrate it with a robust secular education system.
The minister commended the former premier’s legacy, which established a network of schools, colleges, and universities that offered hope and equality to all children in northern Nigeria. Despite contemporary challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, teacher shortages and gender disparities, the minister viewed these issues as opportunities for positive change.
Audu outlined key areas of focus, such as improving infrastructure, promoting gender equity and leveraging public-private partnerships in education. He stressed the importance of unity among policymakers, academics, administrators and stakeholders to ensure a brighter future for northern Nigeria’s youths.
The minister urged attendees to collaborate and renew their commitment to education in Northern Nigeria, invoking the memory of Sir Ahmadu Bello. He emphasised the need to provide every child in the region with access to quality education, securing a prosperous future.
The minister’s impassioned speech garnered enthusiastic applause from conference attendees, signifying their shared dedication to advancing education in northern Nigeria. The event promises to be a catalyst for positive change in the region’s educational landscape.
The conference also saw the presence of esteemed figures such as His Eminence, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III; His Royal Highness, the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu; Minister of Information, Alhaji Mohammed Malagi; Minister of Education, Prof Mamman Tahir; Minister of State for Steel Development, Ahmadu Maigari, as well as past ministers and governors, including former Niger State governor, Dr. Muazu Aliyu, who chaired the event.
