The Vice Chancellor of Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo State, Prof. Bayode Popoola, has called for urgent and innovative approaches to address the growing challenges facing Nigeria’s education sector and the global learning environment.
Prof. Popoola made the call on Thursday during the International Conference of the Society for Educators, held at the university’s campus in Ondo town.
The conference, organised by the Society for Educators in the United Kingdom, brought together academics, policymakers, and education stakeholders to discuss emerging issues affecting education systems worldwide.
According to the Vice Chancellor, education systems across the globe are under increasing pressure and require coordinated, forward-thinking responses from stakeholders at all levels.
He noted that the hosting of the Society for Educators (UK) International Conference in Nigeria marked a significant milestone for the country’s academic community.
“For the first time, the annual International Conference of the Society for Educators (UK) is being hosted in Nigeria—right here at Adeyemi Federal University of Education. This is not just an event; it is a statement of global confidence in Nigeria’s capacity to contribute meaningfully to education at an international level,” he said.
Prof. Popoola further highlighted alarming global education statistics, noting that over 244 million children and young people are currently out of school, while the world is projected to face a shortage of about 69 million teachers by 2030.
He stressed that these challenges demand urgent, coordinated, and innovative solutions capable of strengthening education systems and improving access to quality learning.
Also speaking at the conference, the President of the Society for Educators (UK), Adejoke Ogunkoya-Akinsemolu, represented by the organisation’s secretary, Dr. Adedayo Olofinnka, described the conference as timely, given the increasing complexities facing education globally.
She said the event would provide a platform for intellectual exchange and collaboration aimed at reshaping the future of education.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Education, Kotangora, Prof. Farouk Haruna, emphasised the need for practical solutions to Nigeria’s education challenges.
He attributed some of the sector’s problems to frequent policy changes and inadequate curriculum review processes.
“The problem is that people who are not in education are given the opportunity to review the curriculum, and educators are only asked to endorse it. It will never work that way,” he said.
