Governor Zulum Advocates for Educational Reform to Meet Industry Demands

By Ibrahim Umar,
Kanempress News,
23rd, November,2024

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s education system to bridge the gap between academic institutions and industry requirements. This statement was made during a courtesy visit by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, at the Government House in Maiduguri.

Governor Zulum expressed his concern over the lack of essential skills among graduates from higher institutions, which hampers innovation and technological progress. He urged NELFUND to address this issue by implementing solutions that promote self-employment among graduates, reducing their reliance on limited job opportunities.

“We face two major challenges in our educational system: the disconnect between educational institutions and industries, and the mismatch between the labor market and graduates, many of whom are unprepared for industry demands,” Zulum stated.

He further encouraged NELFUND to support entrepreneurship, technical education, and vocational training programs. “Beyond offering loans, I urge you to explore ways to support entrepreneurship education and promote technical and vocational training to reduce the reluctance toward these critical areas of study,” he added.

Governor Zulum commended President Bola Tinubu for establishing NELFUND, highlighting its potential to significantly reduce illiteracy, particularly in the North East region. He pledged to mobilize local government chairmen and traditional rulers to raise awareness about the program, emphasizing its importance for underprivileged students aspiring to pursue higher education.

“I have held discussions with heads of tertiary institutions since you assumed office, and reports indicate that a significant number of students who applied for NELFUND loans received them with ease,” Zulum remarked.

During the visit, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, Managing Director and CEO of NELFUND, emphasized the fund’s mission to address the growing issue of student dropouts due to financial constraints. He noted that the loan is interest-free, with repayment set at 10% of the recipient’s income upon securing employment.

Mr. Sawyerr was accompanied by the Vice Chancellor of Borno State University, Professor Babagana Gutti, and representatives of the National Association of Nigerian Students.