Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, at the public presentation of the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) Book 1 series for Nigerian universities and a book to his honour, said that the backward state of education in the Northern regions was self-imposed. He added that different from people who practice Islam in other parts of the world, Nigerian northerners are the major impediments to promotion of education in the region. This barrier is because the focus of the north is in Islam which is believed to be the greatest knowledge promulgator.
In 859 AD, a Muslim woman named Fatima Al-Fihri (sic) founded the first university in the world. At the time, Italian, Cambridge and Oxford universities were not in existence. Up till date, the university is in existence in Morocco. About 100 years after, the second university in the world was established by another Muslim woman, Fatimatu Zahara (sic). Despite these educational achievements by women practicing the Islam religion, northerners keep women at home and away from school in the name of religion.
Academics to be trained & equipped with required skills.
Adamu applauded the National Universities Commission (NUC) for its consistency in ensuring the creation of an environment for establishment of more private universities in the country, particularly in the North. Out of the 37 new private universities that recently received approval from the Federal Executive Council, majority are located in the North. Commenting on the CCMAS, the minister said the curriculum will serve as an additional value to graduates produced by Nigerian universities as it would equip them with the much needed knowledge, skills and expertise to thrive in this century.
According to the minister, it is important that there is consistency in the struggle to improve educational programmes and learnings in the country, using global best practices. Implementing CCMAS requires dedication, willingness and hard work to emphasize change. Therefore, it is essential to train and equip academics with required knowledge and skills for successful implementation of CCMAS. Adamu also called for the establishment of the Federal Teachers Service Commission at the event to foster reforms in the teaching profession.
There are 148 private universities in Nigeria.
The outgoing minister asserted that he would be leaving behind a legacy in the hands of heads of education agencies. The ministry wrote a letter that was approved by the president but one aspect of the letter that would transform education is pending. He said that achievement of everything approved by the president for teachers solely depends on his recent realization of the need for a Federal Teachers Service Commission. This commission, in his statement, would attract the best brains to education.
Executive Secretary of NUC, Professor Rasheed Abubakar, applauded the outgoing minister for the several feats recorded during his regime, particularly in university development. Currently, there are about 148 private universities in the country. Of this number of Nigerian private universities, about 60 percent were established during Adamu Adamu’s administration as Minister of Education. While appreciating the CCMAS and defining it as a game changer, the NUC boss acknowledged efforts of former NUC Executive Secretary, Professor Peter Okebukola, for his impacts in its development.
A book was named in honour of the outgoing minister.
Previous chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, affirmed that the curriculum is a right step that leads to the right path. He recognized it as a significant contribution to repositioning the country’s educational system. Asides the presentation of CCMAS, the event welcomed tributes to the late Professor Idris Abdulkadir and Professor Nimi Briggs and unveiling of a book in honour of Minister Adamu Adamu titled “Repositioning Nigerian Educational System; the Ministerial Footprints of Adamu Adamu.”
Related Link
NUC-CCMAS: Website
CCMAS as an additional value to graduates – Northern region of Nigeria suffer self-imposed educational backwardness. – Express your point of view.
The Northern region of Nigeria suffers from self-imposed educational backwardness due to cultural beliefs, poverty, and a lack of political will. Addressing these issues will require a collective effort from all stakeholders, including the government, civil society organizations, and community leaders, to promote the value of education and invest in the region’s schools and students.
I hope the Academics that will be sent to the Northern states will be trained very well. There is need for them to impart the right knowledge on students there, so they won’t allow religion influence the way they think.
Northern region of Nigeria academic should be a very good trained one so they can be moving forward in educational way, influence them with good moral in term of education
Northern region of Nigeria suffer self-imposed educational backwardness because of what they believe the CCMAS will also help in adding more to the knowledge and skill of the student
The newly introduced Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) into the University will serve as an additional value to the graduates and help to raise our standard of education.
Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) book writing in honour of Malam Adamu Adamu will be an additional value to graduates thereby improving the standard of education in Nigeria.
Northern region of Nigeria suffer self-imposed educational backwardness. Yes northern are not doing well when it comes to education because the politicians and some of their leaders want them to remain in poverty so that they will be making use them during election and other use
Northern region of Nigeria suffer self-imposed educational backwardness due to bad government both state and local government. That have refuse to build a better school with good teachers. They children study abroad so is not affecting them. Selfish government in northern