Former Registrar of the West African Examination Council (WAEC), Dr. Iyi Uwadiae, has expressed deep concern over the increasing number of out-of-school children in Nigeria. Speaking at his 70th birthday dinner in Lagos on Wednesday, Uwadiae emphasized the need for parents to prioritize education despite financial and societal challenges.
He attributed the alarming rate of out-of-school children to two primary factors: lack of funds by parents and the reluctance of some children to pursue education. Uwadiae urged both parents and students to recognize the invaluable role of education in shaping a better future.
“If you think education is expensive, try ignorance. Nothing destroys a society more than ignorance,” he stated.
He recounted a troubling example of a family in Benin, Edo State, who withdrew their child from skills acquisition training in Lagos after seeing peers engaging in internet fraud (Yahoo) and making quick money. He lamented that some parents, rather than encouraging education, push their children into such illicit activities.
Uwadiae stressed that education is pivotal to national development and criticized the Nigerian government for not doing enough to promote and fund education adequately. He called on the government to take urgent steps to revamp the sector, in line with global recommendations.
“The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) recommends that nations allocate 15 to 20 percent of their annual budget to education. Unfortunately, Nigeria’s N3.52 trillion educational budget for 2025 accounts for only 7.3 percent of the total national budget of N49.7 trillion,” he noted.
He decried the declining status of educators and the value placed on education, stating, “Today, a local councillor is considered more influential than a university professor, while a Yahoo Boy boasts of being able to pay a lecturer’s salary.”
The event’s chairman, Professor Adams Onuka, praised Uwadiae for his humility and dedication to education, while former Head of WAEC Nigeria, Olutise Adenipekun, described him as an exceptional leader.
Uwadiae concluded by urging the Nigerian government to prioritize education, proper planning, and funding to prevent further deterioration of the sector and ensure a brighter future for the nation’s youth.
