By Achile Danjuma
A non-governmental organization, One Youth Global, has issued an urgent call to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Nigeria’s education sector, warning that the nation faces a deepening crisis with far-reaching consequences for its future stability and development.
The organization highlighted the staggering figure of over 18 million Nigerian children currently out of school, a situation it described as a national alarm that demands immediate and decisive action.
Mr. Uchechukwu Agbo, President of One Youth Global, further contextualized the crisis by linking it to the nation’s economic hardship, revealing that more than 120 million Nigerians live in extreme poverty. This, he argued, creates a vicious cycle that severely exacerbates educational challenges.
“The link between poverty and a lack of education is undeniable,” Mr. Agbo stated. “For the nation to truly move forward, the Federal Government must move beyond rhetoric and implement urgent, practical policies that guarantee every child can enrol, remain in, and successfully graduate from school.”
Mr. Agbo urged the administration to focus on a multi-pronged strategy that includes expanding access to education, a complete overhaul of crumbling school infrastructure, and a renewed commitment to promoting academic excellence. He stressed that investment must be deliberate and sustained.
“Our schools are severely under-equipped,” Agbo noted. “The average science student in Nigeria knows a lot about theory but very little about practicals because laboratories are non-functional. University labs must be equipped, secondary school labs must be functional, and libraries—which many government-owned schools lack entirely—must be stocked with books.”
Beyond infrastructure, Agbo called for a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s educational curriculum to ensure it meets the demands of the modern world. He emphasized the need to move from rote learning to empowering young people with practical knowledge and problem-solving skills.
“We must shift the fundamental question we ask our children,” he said. “Instead of ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’, we should be asking, ‘Which problem do you want to solve?’ Our curricula must encourage excellence by promoting the creation of actionable solutions to societal problems.”
The One Youth Global President also expressed deep concern over the declining status of the teaching profession, pointing to poor remuneration as a key factor driving capable individuals away.
“A dangerous trend is emerging where teaching is seen as a last resort for those who cannot find other employment,” Agbo warned. “If we are serious about promoting excellence, we must dramatically improve teachers’ welfare and restore dignity to the profession.”
Furthermore, he drew a stark connection between the education crisis and national insecurity, particularly noting that over 70% of out-of-school children are concentrated in northern Nigeria, a region grappling with high rates of violence and insurgency.
“I believe addressing the education gap is one of the most effective ways to reduce crime,” Agbo argued. “The correlation between low literacy levels and insecurity is clear. An educated population is a more stable and secure one.”
Recognizing that the government cannot solve the crisis alone, Mr. Agbo made a passionate appeal to Nigerians in the diaspora to invest in the educational infrastructure of their home communities.
“Reshaping our education ecosystem requires a collective effort,” he said. “Those who have gained opportunities abroad must look back and invest in the schools of their communities, enabling more children to access quality education.”
One Youth Global is leading by example through its flagship initiative, “Spark Nation 3.0,” a quiz and debate competition for secondary schools across West and Central Africa. The event is scheduled to take place in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, between April and June 2026.
Mr. Agbo announced that the organization has already awarded over 100 scholarships across 22 Nigerian states in its effort to combat the out-of-school child phenomenon. He outlined an ambitious expansion plan, stating, “This initiative will expand its reach across West and Central Africa this year, and by 2027, we aim to cover the entire African continent.”