A professor of industrial education and training from the faculty of education, University of Ibadan, Kehinde Oluwaseun Kester, has declared that the education sector in Nigeria is in a serious crisis.
Kester, who spoke on Monday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, advised the three tiers of government and other stakeholders to intervene by providing more funding to save the sector from total collapse.
The don spoke during the opening of 2023 Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council.
Kester, while delivering his paper entitled “Nigerian Economy: Re-imagining Education System for the Fifth Industrial Revolution”, at the event held at NUJ Press Centre, Ibadan, noted that the education sector is currently facing serious challenges such as inadequate funding and poor infrastructure.
The don, who said that the fifth industrial revolution intends to bridge the gap between man and machine, remarked that Nigeria needs to digitalise its education sector so as to re-imagine its education sector.
“We need to take our education sector more seriously. Nigeria’s education is more or less knowledge transmission; it does not take care of the quality. I wish to say that Nigerian education is very weak and poorly funded.
“Sir, ma, we are moving into the fifth industrial revolution. It is called Industrial 5.0. Since we have industrial revolution 5.0, we should have education 5.0. Our jobs will still be there; they are bringing industrial revolution 5.0 to strike the balance between man and machine. We want to use Industrial Revolution 5.0 to bridge the gap between the top and bottom”.
Makinde, while speaking, noted that press week is an avenue for journalists to re-dedicate themselves to their professional calling.
He said, “The press week is not only for merry merry alone but for deep soul searching. Journalism is the best profession.”
Governor Seyi Makinde was represented at the event by Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade.
