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10 Critical Mistakes that Led to the Sack of Education Minister – Group

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In a major shake-up, President Bola Tinubu recently sacked five cabinet ministers, including the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman.

A non-governmental organization, Education for Accelerated Development (EDAD), has praised this decision, calling it “long overdue.”

In a statement released on Thursday, EDAD highlighted the numerous missteps they believe led to Mamman’s dismissal.

The group, led by its national coordinator, Dr. Livinus Mbaonu, laid out ten key reasons why the former Minister had to go.

Diplomatic Crisis over University Degrees

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One of Mamman’s biggest blunders, according to EDAD, was his involvement in a diplomatic conflict between Nigeria, Benin Republic, and Togo.

The group stated that Mamman’s public statements about universities in these neighboring countries caused a significant strain in relations.

He inaccurately claimed that only three universities in Benin were accredited, while the actual number is over 50.

This misinformation, the group says, caused confusion about the legitimacy of degrees from these institutions and led to the suspension of degree programs from universities in Benin and Togo.

This mistake left many Nigerian students, who had studied in these countries, stranded.

Thousands of Students Denied NYSC

Another critical issue was Mamman’s handling of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program.

Many Nigerian graduates from Benin and Togo were denied entry into the NYSC scheme under his leadership.

According to EDAD, this was a result of his poor management and failure to coordinate with other agencies.

Mbaonu said that Mamman’s policies had a devastating impact on thousands of Nigerian students abroad who were left without scholarships, stipends, or access to key services.

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This, in turn, left many of them unable to complete their studies or return home with valid qualifications.

Internal Conflicts and Inefficiency in the Ministry

EDAD accused Mamman of creating discord among key educational agencies in Nigeria.

Under his leadership, conflicts arose between the National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), and NYSC.

These agencies are meant to work together for the benefit of Nigerian students, but Mamman’s lack of coordination led to chaos, according to the group.

Graduates were denied participation in NYSC and professional exams due to conflicting information from these bodies.

Bureaucratic Delays in Accreditation Processes

Mamman’s inefficiency in accrediting universities also drew heavy criticism.

Despite visiting more than 50 universities for accreditation within a year, EDAD claimed that none of these institutions were approved under his tenure.

This delay, they argue, caused severe harm to the education sector, leaving institutions and students in limbo.

Meddling in Agency Appointments

The former Minister was also accused of meddling in the appointments of key personnel in various educational agencies.

This interference led to dissatisfaction and inefficiency in the management of educational institutions across the country, EDAD stated.

According to Mbaonu, Mamman’s actions demoralized the officials working in these agencies and slowed down the progress of important reforms.

Controversial 18-Year Admission Policy

One of the most controversial policies implemented during Mamman’s tenure was the introduction of an 18-year minimum age requirement for university admissions.

This policy sparked outrage among many Nigerians who viewed it as restrictive and discriminatory.

A lawsuit was even filed against the Ministry of Education as a result of this policy, with parents and students demanding its reversal.

Many argued that it unfairly barred younger students from pursuing higher education, even if they had completed their secondary schooling at an earlier age.

Backlash Over Foreign Degrees

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Mamman made headlines when he declared that Nigerians who had obtained certificates from universities in Benin and Togo would be sacked from public service and prosecuted.

This statement caused widespread unrest, as many Nigerians feared losing their jobs.

EDAD claimed that this policy was ill-conceived and poorly communicated, leading to unnecessary panic and confusion among thousands of Nigerians with degrees from these countries.

False Promises to Graduates

Mamman also made a promise that the Federal Government would pay stipends to all unemployed graduates in Nigeria.

However, this promise was not part of the government’s agenda and created false expectations among jobless graduates.

Mbaonu criticized Mamman for raising the hopes of young Nigerians without any solid plan to follow through on his promises.

Lack of Cohesion with Other Officials

One of the recurring themes during Mamman’s time as Minister was his inability to work effectively with others.

EDAD noted a noticeable lack of cooperation between Mamman and other senior officials in the Ministry of Education, particularly the Minister of State for Education.

This lack of cohesion, they argued, led to inefficiency and a failure to address critical issues facing the education sector.

Tinubu’s Bold Move to Clean House

President Tinubu’s decision to sack Prof. Tahir Mamman was part of a broader effort to reposition the National Executive Council for more effective service delivery.

The President had received mounting criticism from various sectors of society, calling for immediate action to address the inefficiencies in the education sector.

By relieving Mamman of his duties, Tinubu is sending a strong message that the administration will not tolerate mismanagement, especially in a sector as important as education.

A Step Forward for Nigeria’s Education System?

Mamman’s tenure as Minister of Education was marked by controversy, poor management, and internal conflicts.

While he did make some attempts at reform, his efforts were marred by bureaucratic delays, misinformation, and a failure to deliver on his promises.

EDAD believes that his removal will pave the way for more effective leadership in the Ministry of Education, which is desperately needed to tackle the challenges facing Nigeria’s education system.

With over 10 million out-of-school children, a rising dropout rate, and underfunded universities, the stakes are high for whoever takes over as the next Minister of Education.

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