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Peter Mbah, the Governor of Enugu State, has voiced a strong call for a fundamental overhaul of Nigeria’s education system. He noted the need to move away from the long-standing reliance on rote memorization and instead advocate for a more dynamic and hands-on approach to learning—one that encourages critical thinking, practical experience, and a deeper understanding of subject matter.
Mbah highlighted that a shift towards experiential learning would serve as a foundation for producing graduates who are not only academically knowledgeable but also equipped with the practical expertise, problem-solving abilities, and innovative mindset needed to propel economic development and drive sustainable progress in Nigeria.
Governor Peter Mbah offered these insights while speaking at the inaugural Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Distinguished Personalities Lecture Series, held on Tuesday in Enugu. The lecture, titled “Experiential Learning: Building the Wealth of the Nation,” saw Mbah passionately advocate for a shift towards an education system that prepares students to contribute directly to the nation’s economic growth.
He stressed that the traditional approach to education in Nigeria, centered around memorizing information, has failed to equip students with the hands-on skills and innovative mindset needed to generate fresh ideas and contribute meaningfully to the country’s advancement.
Mbah, in his lecture, underscored the critical shortcomings of Nigeria’s education system, particularly its failure to impart the practical skills necessary to drive industrial progress and economic development. He called for a comprehensive overhaul to better equip future generations with the tools needed to compete in an ever-evolving global marketplace.
He pointed out that universities in the country rarely make it onto global rankings and have not functioned as “ideas factories,” a role universities should play in any developing nation.
“The answers to these questions lie in many inconvenient truths, amongst which is the fact that the learning in our schools, from basic to tertiary, has for years not imbued our young people with productive skills and competencies. This is a root cause of our underdevelopment,” Mbah said.
Mbah emphasized the need for a new approach to education—one that encourages learning through experience rather than memorization.
He drew attention to the success stories of countries like the United States, China, Germany, and the Netherlands, all of which have made substantial investments in experiential education. These countries, he highlighted, have seen remarkable returns on their efforts, emerging as leaders in the global economy and shaping the future of international trade and industry.
In pursuit of this goal, Mbah disclosed that his administration is in the process of building 260 Smart Green Schools throughout Enugu State, with one being established in each of the state’s 260 wards. This initiative, he emphasized, is part of a broader vision to modernize education and ensure accessibility for every community in the state.
Tailored to offer an immersive learning experience, these schools will create a space where students can directly interact with real-world scenarios, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. This approach will be integrated across all levels of education, from the foundational years of primary school to the more advanced years of tertiary education.
As part of his commitment to advancing education in Enugu, Mbah has ordered that all public tertiary institutions in the state integrate experiential learning into their academic frameworks.
This progressive step reflects his determination to bridge the gap between theoretical education and practical application, ensuring that students graduate with both the expertise and experience required to succeed in their careers.
