The Federal Government has announced plans to transform the 115 Federal Unity Colleges across the country into separate basic and secondary schools.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, this development was disclosed by Dr. Yusuf Sununu, the Minister of State for Education, during the Annual General Meeting of Principals of Unity Colleges held in Abuja on Tuesday.
The event, themed “Entrepreneurship Education: A Panacea for Self-Reliance and National Development,” focused on the benefits of entrepreneurial training in education.
Dr. Sununu explained that the unbundling aligns with the National Policy on Education and is intended to attract additional funding, enhance infrastructure, improve teachers’ welfare, and create more job opportunities.
He stressed the importance of entrepreneurship education, saying, “I want to emphasize the significance of fostering an entrepreneurial spirit in our youths, a spirit that will propel them toward self-reliance and contribute meaningfully to our nation’s development.”
Addressing the ongoing issue of unemployment, Sununu highlighted that entrepreneurship education could provide students with the skills and mindset needed for success.
“Entrepreneurship education offers a solution to this challenge as it prepares students to think creatively, innovatively, and develop the confidence to take calculated risks,” he noted.
The Minister also urged Principals to collaborate closely as key stakeholders to enhance the educational environment.
He called for efforts to combat social vices, promote a maintenance culture, and work with host communities to ensure the security and growth of the Unity Colleges.
Dr. Idowu Akinbamijo, Chairperson of the Principals of Federal Unity Schools, mentioned that the meeting’s objective was to set the agenda for the coming year and build capacity for future challenges.
