Anthonia Greg
The Catholic Church has called on the federal government to prioritize and resolve Nigeria’s education crisis, which has left millions of children out of school, threatening the nation’s future.
In a statement marking the International Day of Education, the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) emphasized the critical need for collaboration between the government and religious institutions to establish schools and scholarships, particularly in underserved rural areas. The Church said such initiatives are essential for fostering equitable and transformative education.
The statement, co-signed by Rev. Fr. Peter Babangida, Rev. Fr. Michael Umoh, and Rev. Fr. Michael Banjo, underscored education as a non-negotiable right and a cornerstone of societal development. The Church also highlighted the indispensable role of parents in nurturing values such as honesty, compassion, and responsibility in their children to build a generation of principled leaders.
Touching on this year’s International Day of Education theme, “AI and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation,” the Church cautioned against prioritizing artificial intelligence over human values. While acknowledging AI’s potential benefits, it stressed that ethical principles must guide technological advancements to ensure they serve humanity.
“As we commemorate this day, we reaffirm that education is a fundamental right for every child,” the statement read. “In a country where millions are out of school, the situation demands urgent collective action. Education is not just a tool for personal advancement but a pathway to national transformation that we cannot afford to neglect.”
