A former ARISE News anchor, Dr Chiogo Constance Ikokwu, has called for a sweeping reform of Nigeria’s education system, urging authorities to replace outdated academic programmes with practical, skills-driven learning that prepares young people for future economic and environmental challenges.
Ikokwu, a House of Representatives aspirant for Idemili North and South Federal Constituency, made the call in a Facebook post published on Wednesday, arguing that the country’s current education model was producing certificate holders rather than problem-solvers.
She warned that Nigeria must rethink its educational priorities as Africa’s rapid urbanisation places increasing pressure on food production, energy supply, water management and infrastructure.
Citing the UN-Habitat State of African Cities 2026 report, Ikokwu noted that Africa’s urban population is projected to reach 1.4 billion by 2050, while more than half of the continent’s future urban infrastructure is yet to be built.
She also cited findings that many African cities remain overcrowded, poorly connected, and costly, with a significant proportion of urban residents living in informal settlements that lack basic infrastructure.
According to her, Nigeria’s education system remains designed for past realities rather than preparing children for emerging challenges.
“We are preparing children for yesterday while building a country for tomorrow,” she wrote.
Ikokwu argued that some courses across Nigeria’s primary, secondary and tertiary education systems had become obsolete and should either be removed or fundamentally redesigned to address contemporary societal needs.
She advocated a curriculum centred on practical learning, proposing that agriculture should involve growing food rather than memorising textbook definitions, while forestry, environmental science, technology, renewable energy and basic engineering should emphasise hands-on experience.
She also called for greater emphasis on teaching students how to repair equipment, build simple infrastructure, conserve water, manage waste and apply technology to solve local problems.
The former broadcaster further urged schools to integrate indigenous knowledge, including the responsible study of herbal medicine, alongside modern scientific education.
At the university level, Ikokwu said every degree programme should be evaluated based on the real-world problems it equips graduates to solve.
According to her, Nigeria should move away from producing graduates whose primary ambition is securing scarce office jobs and instead cultivate innovators capable of creating businesses, industries and practical solutions.
READ ALSO: NBS Urges Data Agencies to Unite for Evidence-Based Governance
She also challenged conventional notions of development, arguing that genuine progress should be measured not only by physical infrastructure but also by a community’s ability to feed itself, generate energy, protect natural resources, and remain resilient during supply chain disruptions.
Ikokwu said Nigeria still has an opportunity to build productive, sustainable and resilient cities before projected population growth overtakes planning efforts.
She concluded by urging policymakers and parents to shift their focus from pursuing certificates for their own sake to equipping young Nigerians with knowledge and practical skills that create value and drive national development.
