COSFAN Urges Action for Urgent Reforms to Revive Nigeria’s Education System

The Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows Alumni Association of Nigeria (COSFAN) has expressed concern over the declining state of Nigeria’s education sector and governance, urging urgent reforms to safeguard the nation’s future.

COSFAN, an association of Nigerians who have benefited from Commonwealth scholarships, fellowships, and training programmes abroad, draws members from academia, public service, the private sector, and civil society.

Speaking in an interview, COSFAN President, Dr. Ekundayo Samuel, described education as the cornerstone of national development but warned that poor funding, politicisation, and lack of accountability are crippling the sector.

He criticised the appointment of individuals based on political alignment rather than merit, lamenting that many educators now fund their own research and teaching due to inadequate government support.

Samuel further highlighted broader governance challenges, including corruption, crumbling infrastructure, and the persistent brain drain of Nigerian talent to developed countries. He noted the irony of bestowing honorific titles on leaders who preside over systemic failures while ordinary citizens struggle with poor services and limited opportunities.

On infrastructure, he decried the country’s continued celebration of intermittent electricity supply as progress, questioning how industrialisation can occur without stable power and long-term planning.

As Nigeria heads into another election cycle, Samuel called for unity and collective action, stressing that the window for meaningful reform is narrowing. While acknowledging government policy initiatives, he emphasised that effective implementation requires collaboration, integrity, and accountability.

Nigeria’s education sector faces chronic underfunding, weak infrastructure, policy failures, and frequent industrial disputes. According to UNESCO, the country has one of the world’s highest numbers of out-of-school children, while universities and research institutions grapple with limited resources. The exodus of skilled professionals has further deepened fears of a widening knowledge and skills gap.

By raising these concerns, COSFAN joins other civic and professional groups pressing the government to go beyond rhetoric and embrace practical reforms that position education as a driver of sustainable development.