From Cyriacus Nnaji, Lagos
As the global community celebrates the International Education Day, an MBA graduate of the University of Lagos, Mr Ezeukoh Ebubechukwu has stated that education remains key to social equity, economic participation and growth that delivers long-term stability across societies.
Recall that the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2018 adopted a resolution proclaiming 24 January as International Day of Education, in celebration of the role of education for bringing global peace and sustainable development even as over 250 million children and adolescents are out of school and 763 million adults are illiterate, according to UNESCO report.
To this end, the MBA graduate who stool tall at the school’s recent convocation ceremony, called on education institutions in the country to align with international academic requirements and best standards for a meaningful growth and development of the sector.
He affirmed that, when education systems fail to adapt to global standards, they excluded more people from acquiring quality education than they empower.
Speaking on the importance of the international day of education, 2026 tagged, “The power of youth in co-creating education,” Ebubechukwu emphasised the role young people play in shaping the future of learning and stressed the need for education to be more accessible, practical and responsive.
According to him, “2026 International Education Day, serves as a reminder that education must be accessible, practical, and responsive to the realities faced by students, young people and institutions and improving access at the foundational level, aligning academic standards with global expectations, and designing support systems that reflect real financial needs are all necessary steps.
“When education systems fail to adapt, they exclude more people than they empower.
Addressing these gaps is not optional, but pertinent for sustained progress and equitable development,” he added.
He furthered that, “Today, being International Education Day, it is important to reflect on the significance of education and its impact globally in achieving peace, development and human dignity. Education remains a key driver of social development, economic participation, and long-term stability across societies.”
Mr Ebubechukwu, who is the founder of Ebubechukwu Eziokwe Foundation (EEF), a non-for-profit organisation committed to fighting illiteracy, with a regular annual support to education, particular to the rural child tagged, “Bookdrive” reaffirmed his organisation committed to support and promote access to quality education in Nigeria.
He said, “With access to quality education, individuals can acquire the skills and knowledge needed to break cycles of poverty and contribute to the development of their communities.
“As a non-governmental organisation, our responsibility is to ensure that children in rural and sub-urban communities have access to proper education and adequate learning materials. This requires intentional fundraising, direct support for these children, and consistent assistance to schools operating within these environments.
“Also educational institutions in the country must also ensure that they remain aligned with international academic requirements and standards, as students are being prepared for participation beyond local systems,” he added.
Speaking on the recent student’s loan initiative by the Federal government administration, led by President Bola Ahmed TInubu, Mr Ebubechukwu who commended the initiative called for a stress-free procedures in accessing the loan.
He said, “Regarding access to higher education, the federal government student loan initiative is commendable. However, the process and requirements are overly strenuous. Loan structures should be tiered, where smaller amounts require fewer conditions, unlike larger loans that can reasonably demand more scrutiny.”
