The Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, has called on the Federal Government to adopt consistent and inclusive education policies aimed at promoting national development and preserving moral values.
Ndukuba made the appeal on Sunday in Abuja during the second graduation ceremony of the Anglican International Academy (AIA), Zhidu, where 57 senior secondary school students graduated.
Represented by the retired Venerable Andrus Ukaejiofor, the Anglican leader stressed that education must go beyond academic excellence by incorporating values such as integrity, discipline, and character development.
He warned that a system of education lacking moral foundation could worsen societal challenges, including corruption, noting that personal integrity plays a crucial role in building a responsible society.
According to him, meaningful transformation begins with individuals whose values are shaped through proper upbringing and education.
“Corruption begins with individuals. When a person lacks integrity, their actions will reflect that deficiency. But when good values are planted, character and responsibility naturally follow,” he said.
The primate said the Church remains committed to providing quality education that equips young people with the discipline and skills needed to contribute positively to society.
He also raised concerns over recent changes to Nigeria’s education curriculum, particularly what he described as a decline in standards and the reduced presence of religious studies in schools.
Ndukuba urged the government to consult widely with stakeholders, including religious organisations, parents, and community leaders, before implementing major educational reforms.
He cautioned that policies designed around short-term objectives could weaken the quality of education, adding that reducing standards to satisfy certain interests would affect the value of the system.
The cleric further argued that removing moral and spiritual teachings from children’s upbringing could contribute to indiscipline and a lack of self-control among young people.
He encouraged the graduating students to remain committed to their faith, uphold integrity, and see themselves as future agents of positive change as they proceed to higher institutions.
Speaking at the event, the principal of AIA, Venerable Nelson Akinwande, said the school focuses on producing students who are academically sound, spiritually grounded, and equipped with practical skills.
Akinwande explained that students from Junior Secondary School 1 to Senior Secondary School 3 are trained in vocational areas such as shoemaking, tailoring, bag production, paint making, and confectionery in line with government efforts to promote technical education.
He said the institution prepares students not only to pass examinations but also to develop skills that enable them to create value and become self-reliant.
In his graduation address titled “Equipped for Purpose, Empowered for Impact: Raising Godly Agents of Transformation,” Akinwande urged the graduates to remain guided by the academy’s core values of excellence, faith, and integrity.
He advised them to remember the sacrifices of their parents, lessons from their teachers, and the responsibilities ahead as they begin their journey into higher education.
“Let excellence, faith, and integrity remain your compass as you move forward. Nigeria and the world are waiting for your contributions,” he said.