NGF pledge support for constitutional review, commit to education reform
…Push for state-federal collaboration to address education sector issues
…Dep. Gov proposes ‘one-stop shop’ framework to align state, national reforms
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has expressed its unwavering support for the ongoing constitutional amendment process, while also committing to reforms aimed at addressing the challenges facing the country’s education sector.
The resolutions came at the conclusion of the 11th NGF meeting, which took place on Wednesday, 20th November 2024.
The Forum hosted Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Committee on the Review of the Constitution.
Kalu provided governors with an update on the ongoing constitutional amendment process, emphasizing the importance of aligning state-level priorities with national reforms.
“The collaboration between the Forum and the Constitutional Review Committee is critical for ensuring that the voices of state governors are heard in the amendment process,” Kalu said.
He proposed the creation of a “one-stop shop” framework, which would streamline efforts to ensure that constitutional amendments address the real needs of all Nigerians.
Governors present at the meeting expressed their full support for the initiative, pledging to engage actively in shaping amendments that will fortify the nation’s constitutional framework.
Also, The Forum engaged with the Honourable Minister of Education, who outlined the current challenges facing Nigeria’s education system.
Among the key issues raised were the high number of out-of-school children and the pervasive learning poverty, particularly in the North-East and North-West regions. The Minister called for enhanced collaboration between federal and state governments to tackle these challenges head-on.
Proposals discussed at the meeting included improving the quality of education for the girl-child, integrating vocational training into mainstream education, and leveraging data and technology to improve education management systems.
The Forum also emphasized the need to align efforts with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
Governors reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating with the Federal Government and development partners to address these education challenges.
H.E. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Kwara State, stated, “We are committed to working together to transform Nigeria’s education system into one that is truly inclusive, accessible, and of high quality. Our collective efforts will be key to achieving SDG4.”
The meeting added with governors reaffirming their support for both the constitutional review process and the continued development of Nigeria’s education system.
They also committed to addressing these national challenges in a manner that fosters collaboration between the various levels of government.
