Experts Advocate Education Ecosystem that Positions Nigeria for 4th Industrial Revolution

Oluchi Chibuzor 

Educational experts at the SI Global Nigeria’s inaugural conference themed, ‘Innovating Education for the Future’, have called for an educational ecosystem that would position the country for the fourth industrial revolution.

The hybrid conference, which held in Lagos, recently, explored the challenges, regulatory considerations, and collaboration required to build a Nigerian education ecosystem that nurtures innovation through international exchanges, while ensuring the development of Nigeria and Africa. 

Delivering her keynote address, the Country Director, SI Global Nigeria, Mrs. Mary Agbu, said, “the Global Study Conference is a platform to help anyone pursuing higher learning think deeply about moving to the next level, and the opportunities and possibilities that are pivotal to their future.” 

The Canadian Trade Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Dindenbolo-Zaya Kuyena, said “one thing that is important for Nigeria, as we emerge in this fourth industrial revolution is understanding where you’re situated in terms of the timeline of progress and being realistic about those objectives you want to achieve in terms of development, not just as a country but as industries and individuals.

“Canada is recruiting 80,000 – 100,000 Nigerian students. They are international students with the option of becoming permanent residents or citizens as they choose. But one of the things we are finding is that many of them who are graduating are part of the startup and entrepreneurial scene in Canada and are also returning to Nigeria and leveraging the education they have obtained to start well-known fintech companies that you may already be using.”

Speaking on returning home after higher education abroad and the potential to contribute to our nation’s growth, Dean, Pan-Atlantic University, Dr. Sola Oni, said returning home is not just a choice but a responsibility.

“I believe that studying abroad is more than just obtaining a degree. It’s an opportunity to immerse ourselves in diverse cultures, and world-class institutions and develop skills that are in high demand in today’s economy. We have over 70,000 Nigerians going out each year to study abroad. We must ask ourselves how we are going to leverage the education that we are about to receive abroad for the greater good of the nation.”