society
From Classroom to Crisis: How Nigeria’s Educational Policies Contributed to Economic Decline – By Gbolahan Adetayo
From Classroom to Crisis: How Nigeria’s Educational Policies Contributed to Economic Decline – By Gbolahan Adetayo
Amid the ongoing debates about Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges, one critical issue often overlooked is the educational foundation that has shaped the country’s workforce and economy. Many have pointed fingers at various aspects of governance and policy for the nation’s woes, but a closer examination reveals that the root of Nigeria’s problems may lie in a fundamental misstep in its education system: the compulsory emphasis on English language and mathematics at the expense of agriculture, the backbone of Nigeria’s economy before the discovery of crude oil.
From primary to secondary education, Nigeria’s curriculum has prioritized English and mathematics as the core subjects for all students. While these subjects are undoubtedly important, the government’s decision to make them compulsory for students sitting for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has inadvertently sidelined agriculture—a subject that could have better equipped the nation to maintain and strengthen its agricultural heritage.
Before the advent of oil, agriculture was the lifeblood of Nigeria’s economy, providing food, employment, and export revenue. The country was renowned for its agricultural productivity, with regions specializing in different crops that sustained both local and international markets. However, as Nigeria began to shift its focus towards the oil industry, agriculture was gradually neglected, a trend that has been mirrored in the education system.
By making English and mathematics compulsory subjects for students to pass before graduating from secondary school, the government has inadvertently sent a message that these are the only gateways to success. This policy has led to a decline in interest and enrollment in agricultural studies, as students are often more focused on mastering subjects that they believe will lead to white-collar jobs.
This neglect of agricultural education has had long-term repercussions. Nigeria, once a leader in global agricultural production, now struggles with food insecurity and relies heavily on imports to feed its growing population. The youth, who should be the future farmers and innovators in agriculture, are largely uninterested in pursuing careers in this field due to a lack of emphasis and encouragement from the educational system.
Moreover, the compulsory focus on English and mathematics has also exacerbated issues of unemployment and underemployment. As more students graduate with qualifications in subjects that do not align with the country’s primary economic needs, there is a growing mismatch between the skills available in the workforce and the jobs that are critical to national development.
To address these challenges, there needs to be a fundamental shift in Nigeria’s education policy. Agriculture should be given the same level of importance as English and mathematics, if not more, especially in regions where farming is still a viable and necessary livelihood. Schools should integrate agricultural education into their core curriculum, encouraging students to pursue it as a subject that not only holds the key to personal success but also national sustainability.
In addition to revising the curriculum, the government should invest in agricultural schools, provide scholarships for students interested in agriculture, and promote the benefits of a career in this vital industry. By doing so, Nigeria can begin to rebuild its agricultural sector and ensure that future generations are equipped with the skills needed to revive and sustain it.
The current emphasis on English and mathematics as the cornerstones of education, while important, has inadvertently led to the neglect of agriculture—Nigeria’s original economic mainstay. It is time for the government to rethink this approach and realign the education system with the country’s most pressing needs. Only by doing so can Nigeria hope to overcome its current challenges and build a more sustainable and prosperous future.
After nearly two decades of building a career in journalism, Yoruba movie acting, production, and content creation, Gbolahan Adetayo made a bold decision to challenge the conventional path. Recognizing the critical role agriculture plays in Nigeria’s survival, he ventured into the agricultural sector, where he is now thriving.
Adetayo’s journey reflects a growing awareness that the country’s focus on white-collar jobs, spurred by an educational system that prioritizes subjects like English and mathematics over agriculture, may have contributed to Nigeria’s current challenges. By embracing agriculture, Adetayo is not only securing a stable future for himself but also highlighting the need for a reevaluation of Nigeria’s educational priorities. His success serves as a testament to the potential prosperity that lies in returning to the nation’s agricultural roots, a sector that sustained Nigeria long before the discovery of crude oil.
This shift in focus is a reminder that the real solution to Nigeria’s problems may lie in refocusing on practical, life-sustaining skills—skills that were once the backbone of the country’s economy.
Ramadan: Adron Homes Felicitates Muslims, Preaches Hope and Unity
Adron Homes & Properties Limited has congratulated Muslim faithful on the commencement of the holy month of Ramadan, urging Nigerians to embrace the virtues of sacrifice, discipline, and compassion that define the season.
In a statement made available to journalists, the company described Ramadan as a period of deep reflection, spiritual renewal, and strengthened devotion to faith and humanity.
According to the management, the holy month represents values that align with the organisation’s commitment to integrity, resilience, and community development.
“Ramadan is a time that teaches patience, generosity, and selflessness. As our Muslim customers and partners begin the fast, we pray that their sacrifices are accepted and that the season brings peace, joy, and renewed hope to their homes and the nation at large,” the statement read.
The firm reaffirmed its dedication to providing affordable and accessible housing solutions to Nigerians, noting that building homes goes beyond structures to creating environments where families can thrive.
Adron Homes further urged citizens to use the period to pray for national unity, economic stability, and sustainable growth.
It wished all Muslim faithful a spiritually fulfilling Ramadan.
Ramadan Mubarak.
society
Underfunding National Security: Envelope Budgeting Fails Nigeria’s Defence By George Omagbemi Sylvester
Underfunding National Security: Envelope Budgeting Fails Nigeria’s Defence
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyng.com
“Fiscal Rigidity in a Time of Crisis: Lawmakers Say Fixed Budget Ceilings Are Crippling Nigeria’s Fight Against Insurgency, Banditry, and Organized Crime.”
Nigeria’s legislature has issued a stark warning: the envelope budgeting system; a fiscal model that caps spending for ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) is inadequate to meet the country’s escalating security challenges. Lawmakers and budget analysts argue that rigid fiscal ceilings are undermining the nation’s ability to confront insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, separatist violence, oil theft and maritime insecurity.
The warning emerged during the 2026 budget defence session for the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) at the National Assembly in Abuja. Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (APC‑Kebbi North), chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, decried the envelope system, noting that security agencies “have been subject to the vagaries of the envelope system rather than to genuine needs and requirements.” The committee highlighted non-release or partial release of capital funds from previous budgets, which has hindered procurement, intelligence and operational capacity.
Nigeria faces a multi‑front security crisis: persistent insurgency in the North‑East, banditry and kidnappings across the North‑West and North‑Central, separatist tensions in the South‑East, and piracy affecting Niger Delta oil production. Despite declarations of a national security emergency by President Bola Tinubu, lawmakers point to a “disconnect” between rhetoric and the actual fiscal support for agencies tasked with enforcement.
Experts warn that security operations demand flexibility and rapid resource allocation. Dr. Amina Bello, a public finance specialist, said: “A static budget in a dynamic threat environment is like sending firefighters with water jugs to a forest fire. You need flexibility, not fixed ceilings, to adapt to unforeseen developments.”
The Permanent Secretary of Special Services at ONSA, Mohammed Sanusi, detailed operational consequences: irregular overhead releases, unfulfilled capital appropriations, and constrained foreign service funds. These fiscal constraints have weakened intelligence and covert units, hampering surveillance, cyber‑security, counter‑terrorism and intelligence sharing.
Delayed capital releases have stalled critical projects, including infrastructure upgrades and surveillance systems. Professor Kolawole Adeyemi, a governance expert, emphasized that “budgeting for security must allow for rapid reallocation in response to threats that move faster than political cycles. Envelope budgeting lacks this essential flexibility.”
While the National Assembly advocates fiscal discipline, lawmakers stress that security funding requires strategic responsiveness. Speaker Abbas Ibrahim underscored that security deserves “prominent and sustained attention” in the 2026 budget, balancing oversight with operational needs.
In response, the Senate committee plans to pursue reforms, including collaboration with the executive to restructure funding, explore supplementary budgets and ensure predictable and sufficient resources for security agencies. Experts warn that without reform, criminal networks will exploit these gaps, eroding public trust.
As one policy analyst summarized: “A nation declares a security emergency; but if its budget does not follow with real resources and oversight, the emergency remains rhetorical.” Nigeria’s debate over envelope budgeting is more than an accounting dispute; it is a contest over the nation’s security priorities and its commitment to safeguarding citizens.
Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba (Eritosin) Celebrates as She Marks Her Birthday
Today, the world and the body of Christ rise in celebration of a rare vessel of honour, Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba, fondly known as Eritosin, as she marks her birthday.
Born a special child with a divine mark of grace, Rev. Mother Eritosin’s journey in God’s vineyard spans several decades of steadfast service, spiritual depth, and undeniable impact. Those who know her closely describe her as a prophetess with a heart of gold — a woman whose calling is not worn as a title, but lived daily through compassion, discipline, humility, and unwavering faith.
From her early days in ministry, she has touched lives across communities, offering spiritual guidance, prophetic insight, and motherly counsel. Many testify that through her prayers and teachings, they encountered God in a deeply personal and transformative way. Near and far, her influence continues to echo — not only within church walls, but in homes, families, and destinies reshaped through her mentorship.
A mother in every sense of the word, Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba embodies nurture and correction in equal measure. As a grandmother, she remains energetic in purpose — accommodating the wayward, embracing the rejected, and holding firmly to the belief that no soul is beyond redemption. Her life’s mission has remained consistent: to lead many to Christ and guide them into the light of a new beginning.
Deeply rooted within the C&S Unification, she stands tall as a spiritual pillar in the Cherubim and Seraphim Church globally. Her dedication to holiness, unity, and prophetic service has earned her widespread respect as a spiritual matriarch whose voice carries both authority and humility.
As she celebrates another year today, tributes continue to pour in from spiritual sons and daughters, church leaders, and admirers who see in her a living reflection of grace in action.
Prayer for Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba (Eritosin)
May the Almighty God, who called you from birth and anointed you for His service, continually strengthen you with divine health and renewed vigour.
May your oil never run dry, and may your prophetic mantle grow heavier with greater glory.
May the lives you have nurtured rise to call you blessed.
May your latter years be greater than the former, filled with peace, honour, and the visible rewards of your labour in God’s vineyard.
May heaven continually back your prayers, and may your light shine brighter across nations.
Happy Birthday to a true Mother in Israel — Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba (Eritosin).
More years.
More anointing.
More impact.
If you want this adapted for a newspaper page, church bulletin, Facebook post, or birthday flyer, just tell me the format and tone.
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