Nigeria: Babangida Calls for More Private Investments in Education

Minna — Former military president, General

Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), has called for more

private investments in education as a way of

addressing the current decay in the sector.

Babangida who spoke at the 20th-anniversary

celebration of El-Amin International School,

Minna, Niger State (established by his late wife,

Maryam) at the weekend, stressed that

revamping the country’s education sector must

not be left in the hands of government alone,

hence the need for private intervention.

The school, which was established as part of her

contribution to the development of education in

the country, General Babangida added, was also

as a result of her passion for the overall

wellbeing and development of women and the girl-

child.

Also speaking at the occasion, executive director

of the school, Dr. Mohammed Babangida, said

that the school was living up the dream and

vision of its founder and has become the most

vibrant and outstanding private school in the

North today.

According to him, “El-Amin runs both national and

international examinations such as WAEC, NECO,

Edexel and Cambridge. It has over the years

churned out students that have today excelled in

their various academic and professional

endeavors.”

Dr. Babangida, while rolling out the achievements

of the school since establishment, disclosed that

the school has been positioned to meet teaching

and learning expected in the 21st century, adding

that in the last 16 years, it has maintained an

average of 98 per cent pass in both WAEC and

NECO.

He pointed out that after 20 years of purposeful

leadership in the education sector, the school has

produced six doctorate degree holders and a large

number of masters’ degree holders in various

disciplines.

Highlight of the anniversary celebration was the

presentation of keys to three-bedroom

apartments to each of the five pioneer staff of

the school who have served the school by the

executive director.