Our 2022 education summit won’t be another talkshop —Lagos govt

All is set by the Lagos State government to hold the biggest education summit in Nigeria.

The summit, which will be hybrid for physical and online participation and scheduled for next Tuesday and Wednesday in Lagos, will bring together education stakeholders in both the public and private sectors in Nigeria.

The state’s Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, gave this hint at a news conference held ahead of the event billed for Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

She said though the people had been used to several education summits in and outside Lagos State in the past, this particular summit would not be another talkshop as is the case in the country.

Giving the theme of the summit as “Creating a Sustainable Fit-for-Purpose Education Model,” the commissioner explained that Lagos State was passionate about and committed to the production of quality and highly-skilled human capital from the primary to tertiary schools that will bring about the desired development in all sectors of the economy.

She said that was why the focus of the summit would cut across the primary to tertiary education levels and with reference to the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of the state government and the 30-year development plan of the state.

Mrs Adefisayo said it was high time Nigeria started to change the narrative about the way of doing things particularly in the education sector if the country is truly willing and ready to improve.

According to her, it is only when something is done differently and in a positive way that one can get better results.

She explained that Lagos State was not only concerned about the learning outcome where students strive just to pass examinations, but how to prepare them well with the right knowledge and skills that will enable them to overcome odds and make a great impact even before graduation.

“That is our vision in Lagos State and the reason we  are also carrying stakeholders from other states along and even the Federal Government’s education agencies to participate in the conversation,” the commissioner stressed.

She added that examination organisations such as West African Examination Council (WAEC) and Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB) as well as Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), parent forum, students, among others, will be part of the forum.

She listed some of the main speakers at the event to include the Finland Ambassador to Nigeria, Leena Pylvanainen; vice chancellor of Pan Atlantic University,  Professor Enase Okonedo; the registrar and chief executive secretary, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Professor Josiah Ajiboye; director, British Council Country, Lucy Pearson and Mr Tunde Adekola of the World Bank Office as well as Mr Fela Bank-Olemoh, among others.

She said participants would have to register ahead via a link given as www.lagoseducationsummit.com to be able to participate in the summit.