National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Taiwo Niyi
Professor Azubike Chinwuba Onuora-Oguno, a distinguished legal scholar from the University of Ilorin, has issued a call for immediate and comprehensive reforms to address the dire state of Nigeria’s education sector.
Speaking at the 264th Inaugural Lecture at University of Ilorin, titled “Disorder in the Order of the Economic and Social Rights Jurisprudence in Nigeria,” Professor Onuora-Oguno laid out nine critical recommendations aimed at revitalising the sector.
Central to his proposals is the adoption of a rights-based approach, which he believes is crucial for meaningful change in education.
He emphasised the importance of collaboration among key educational bodies, including the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), and State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEB).
“These institutions must work together to ensure the delivery of quality education across the country,” he stated.
Professor Onuora-Oguno also called on the judiciary, particularly in Kwara State, to play a more active role in addressing educational issues.
He argued that an engaged judiciary would lead to better policy development and stronger enforcement of education laws. He further recommended that the right to education be explicitly enshrined in Chapter Four of the Nigerian Constitution, compelling lawmakers to prioritise education during constitutional reviews.
The professor also stressed the need for a comprehensive review of the welfare of teachers and other educational stakeholders, highlighting the importance of ethical practices in education.
He urged communities to value education over illicit wealth, noting, “The future of Nigeria depends on an educated populace.”
In addition to these reforms, Professor Onuora-Oguno underscored the need for reliable data on the educational needs of persons with disabilities, arguing that such data is crucial for proper budgetary and logistical planning to achieve inclusive education.
He also urged the Federal Government to support Non-State Actors (NSAs) involved in providing education, acknowledging their significant contributions to the sector.
Drawing from his experience, the Professor recommended that the Faculty of Law at UNILORIN establish a fund to support students’ participation in moot court and other extracurricular activities, warning that clinical legal education is at risk of fading away due to a lack of support and called for its preservation and promotion.
