Education
Education Takes a Hit From the Covid Crisis
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nigeria’s labour market had been plagued with precarity and informality. With over 30 million youths (people aged between 15 and 29 years of age) projected to enter the labour market in 2021 (which accounts for over 53% of that age group), the COVID crisis couldn’t have hit at a worse time.
The impact of COVID-19 felt on the labour market is not without precedent for Nigeria’s young workers. At the onset of the oil recession in 2016, young people entering the labour market in Nigeria faced similar hardships.
In consequence, a significant number of young Nigeria opted – or were compelled – to abandon their schooling in favour of work. At the onset of the oil recession – much like what happened at the onset of the COVID crisis – the percentage of young people in Nigeria who entered the labour market jumped by over 12%.
While working certainly can provide short-term relief during a crisis, unfortunately, this comes to the detriment of Nigeria’s already low human capital. The human capital index (or HCI), as defined by the World Bank, aims to quantify the effects that education and health have on the productivity of the next generation of workers.
Over the last four years, Nigeria’s human capital index has remained at a steady and concerning 0.35%. To offer a comparison, this score ranks Nigeria slightly below Afghanistan which comes in at 0.4 and significantly lower than leading countries such as Singapore and Australia whose scores reach above 0.9%.
With so many young Nigerians being forced – for all intents and purposes – to forego their education in exchange for immediate economic relief in precarious low-paying jobs, the country is facing an uphill battle in terms of improving working conditions, seeing a rise in salaries and a decrease in long-term unemployment. All trends point to the fact that technology is a good career path. But entering this field – much less excelling in it – requires a certain level of education that young Nigerians are being deprived of.
This causal chain can snowball quickly as the country continues to produce a relatively underqualified workforce, the better-paying jobs will continue to go elsewhere. And while the oil and gas production career path certainly has its benefits, as the oil recession of 2016 showed us, the field is vulnerable to rapid and wild fluctuations.
Whereas receiving a quality secondary education will broaden one’s scope of work options, raise their standard of living and those around them, and give them the arms to combat against potential recessions and crises, without an education, the chances of these crises having lingering effects is increased dramatically – if not outright guaranteed.
Due, in part, to the COVID-19 crisis, economists are predicting that Nigeria is headed for its worst recession in 40 years. A staggering 20 million Nigerians are expected to fall below the poverty line in 2022.
The GDP is projected to dip, as well, which would mean a significant loss in government revenue. This, in turn, would likely lead to cuts in both education and the health care system. And the snowball gets bigger and bigger and bigger.
Despite the pessimistic projections, government officials such as Shubham Chauduri, the World Bank’s County Director for Nigeria, is quick to point out that initiatives have been put in place, and we are already seeing positive results.
In 2021, The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) initiated a weakening of the official exchange rate for the naira. This was done in a concerted effort to try to converge the official rate with that of the NAFEX (the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Rate).
“We acknowledge the steps to reform exchange rates,” said Shubham Chaudhuri. “But that’s one part of it.”
Other measures that have already been implemented include the introduction of a market-based pricing policy for petrol; the reduction and potential elimination of subsidies for electricity; and the adjustment of tariffs.
The projected savings these measures would mean for the government are meant to allow Nigeria to redirect its resources toward COVID-19 response and relief. The sooner we get through the crisis, the sooner those resources can be reallocated. To where, and to what end remains to be decided.
If ever we can look at this crisis and see a silver lining it would be that the dire circumstances and woeful projections are forcing officials to take practical actions – many of which have been a long time coming.
Nigeria’s farmers are a high priority in the current wave of economic reforms. Some notable examples of initiatives that have begun to be rolled out include:
- Additional funds allocated to the research of improved crop and livestock varieties
- Additional funds released to help support the infrastructure associated with farming – this includes storage, transport, and market access.
While these initiatives are likely to yield long-term benefits, there is potentially no greater long-term return on investment than that which comes from investing in education. For the time being, however – much like in prior crises – education is being made to take a back seat.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Plans have been concluded by Nigerian Breweries to support about 1,000 Nigerian students in Lagos, Ogun, and Enugu States.
The foremost brewing company is carrying out this empowerment initiative with a leading non-profit organisation, FATE Foundation, through the Orange Corners Student Ambassadors Programme of the Netherlands.
This partnership marks a significant step in advancing youth entrepreneurship in Nigeria, equipping young people with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities needed to build sustainable businesses and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s economy.
This is because the scheme is to promote entrepreneurship and offer networking opportunities in Nigerian tertiary institutions. Ambassadors are selected from specific universities to inspire students to see entrepreneurship as a desirable career path and to foster a culture of innovation within universities.
It targets students aged 18–35 currently enrolled in tertiary institutions across Lagos, Ogun, and Enugu States.
“The partnership reinforces Nigerian Breweries’ long-standing commitment to youth empowerment and entrepreneurship development. Through initiatives like this, we are creating pathways for the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders in Nigeria,” the Corporate Affairs Director for Nigerian Breweries, Mr Uzodinma Odenigbo, stated.
He further highlighted the company’s track record in youth empowerment, noting that since the renewed focus on youth empowerment and entreprenuership, Nigerian Breweries has impacted 2,365 young Nigerians across 24 states and the FCT.
Also speaking on the partnership, the Executive Director of FATE Foundation, Ms Adenike Adeyemi, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration between Nigerian Breweries and the Orange Corners Programme.
“Nigerian Breweries has been a longstanding partner with Orange Corners Nigeria in many ways. We are delighted to have the company continue to support the Orange Corners Programme and elated that this commitment will reach an additional 1000 young Nigerians leveraging the proven Orange Corners Student Ambassadors framework,” she said.
Ms Adeyemi outlined FATE Foundation’s role to include designing and delivering the training curriculum, managing student registration and participation, maintaining accurate records of all beneficiaries, and coordinating all logistical and technical aspects to ensure successful programme delivery.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has announced the reopening of the 47 unity schools earlier shut down due to security concerns on November 21.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Federal Ministry of Education on Thursday.
It said that the decision to reopen the affected colleges across the country reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to safeguarding students and ensuring the continuity of education.
On November 18, 2025, over 20 schoolgirls were kidnapped by unidentified armed men from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi state.
Just three days later, on November 21, about 303 students and 12 teachers were kidnapped at St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Niger state.
In response, the federal government shut down 47 Federal Unity Colleges, and some states including Katsina, Taraba, and Niger also closed schools or restricted school activities, particularly boarding institutions.
Rights group including Human Rights Watch lamented that while these measures were aimed at protecting students, they disrupted learning for thousands of children, denied them access to education, and the social and psychological support schools provide.
FULL LIST OF AFFECTED UNITY COLLEGES
North-West:
FGGC Minjibir, FTC Ganduje, FGGC Zaria, FTC Kafanchan, FGGC Bakori, FTC Dayi, FGC Daura, FGGC Tambuwal, FSC Sokoto, FTC Wurno, FGC Gusau, FGC Anka, FGGC Gwandu, FGC Birnin Yauri, FTC Zuru, FGGC Kazaure, FGC Kiyawa, FTC Hadejia.
North-East:
FGGC Potiskum, FGC Buni Yadi, FTC Gashua, FTC Michika, FGC Ganye, FGC Azare, FTC Misau, FGGC Bajoga, FGC Billiri, FTC Zambuk.
North-Central:
FGGC Bida, FGC New-Bussa, FTC Kuta-Shiroro, FGA Suleja, FGC Ilorin, FGGC Omu-Aran, FTC Gwanara, FGC Ugwolawo, FGGC Kabba, FGGC Bwari, FGC Rubochi, FGGC Abaji.
South-West:
FTC Ikare Akoko, FTC Ijebu-Imusin, FTC Ushi-Ekiti, FTC Ogugu.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Online learning platforms, Coursera and Udemy, have reached an agreement to merge in an all-stock transaction, with the combined company’s implied equity value estimated at approximately $2.5 billion.
The agreement, unanimously approved by both companies’ boards of directors, stipulates that Udemy shareholders will receive 0.8 shares of Coursera common stock for each Udemy share held.
Upon completion of the merger, Coursera shareholders are expected to own about 59 per cent and Udemy shareholders approximately 41 per cent of the new entity on a fully diluted basis.
The combined company will continue under the Coursera name, and maintain its headquarters in Mountain View, California.
Coursera, founded in 2012 by Mr Andrew Ng and Ms Daphne Koller, is an online learning platform with 191 million registered users as of September 30, 2025. It collaborates with over 375 universities and industry partners to offer courses, specialisations, professional certificates, and degrees.
The platform includes features such as generative AI (gen AI) tools (Coach, Role Play, Course Builder) and role-based solutions (Skills Tracks) to support scalable and personalised learning. Coursera is used by institutions for workforce development in fields such as gen AI, data science, technology, and business.
Udemy is a platform that provides on-demand, multi-language courses to help companies and individuals develop technical, business, and soft skills. It uses AI to offer personalised learning experiences and supports workforce development in a changing workplace.
Mr Greg Hart, currently CEO of Coursera, is set to lead the enlarged organisation as CEO after the merger.
The board will consist of nine members. Six from Coursera’s board, including chairman Mr Ng and CEO Mr Hart, and three from Udemy’s board.
“We’re at a pivotal moment in which AI is rapidly redefining the skills required for every job across every industry.
“Organisations and individuals around the world need a platform that is as agile as the new and emerging skills learners must master,” Mr Hart said.
The combination is said to create a complete ecosystem of top instructors supported by AI tools, data-driven insights, and broader distribution, enabling more engaging, personalised, and dynamic learning at scale.
Projected operational efficiencies include anticipated annual run-rate cost synergies of $115m within two years after closing.
Udemy CEO, Mr Hugo Sarrazin said: “For more than 15 years, Udemy has helped millions of people master in-demand skills at the speed of innovation.
“Through this combination with Coursera, we will create meaningful benefits for our learners, enterprise customers, and instructors, while delivering significant value to our shareholders, who will participate in the substantial upside potential of the combined company.”
The merger is anticipated to close in the second half of 2026, pending regulatory clearances, approval by both companies’ shareholders, and other customary closing conditions.
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