Education stakeholders on Thursday advocated for stronger government commitment to innovation, inclusiveness, teacher development, data, and workable action plans, as essential pillars for building a sustainable, future-ready education system.
The stakeholders made the declaration at the panel session of Year 2026 Lagos State Education stakeholders, which had the theme, “Reimagining Education for the Future: Innovation, Inclusion and Sustainability.”
The forum was organised by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MBSE), and had stakeholders and partners including UNICEF, British Council, SKLD, New Globe present, SUBEB), TESCOM, NUT, ANCOPPS, VCare Foundation students, parents’ forum, private school owners, tutors-general, and permanent secretaries.
They emphasised sustained teacher development, recognition for academic advancement and inclusive policies backed by adequate funding, assistive materials and targeted interventions for hard-to-reach communities across Lagos State.
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The stakeholders highlighted infrastructure upgrades, establishment of resource centres, to extensively capture children in suburbs and effective data systems to monitor learning outcomes.
They identified collaboration, courage, and commitment as pathways to reimagining sustainable education in the state.
In his keynote address, the Commissioner of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, said the idea was to review, re-assess what was on ground as related to general educational governance in the state.
Alli-Balogun noted that the 3rd pillar of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Agenda dwelt on education and technology, adding that it was the global practice and there was the need to plan in order to succeed.
“We are fashioning out measures, including advancing our teachers on Artificial Intelligence teachings and impacting it on our students, being a pathway to blend education with technology as obtainable and practiced across the globe.
“Therefore, we must deepen partnerships and strengthen synergy to realise this shared vision, demonstrating our collective readiness to implement the actionable outcomes arising from the deliberations at this forum,” he said.
Earlier, in her welcome address, Mrs Abosede Dosumu-Adegbite, Permanent Secretary, MBSE, commended Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for creating a conducive environment for the sessions.
Dosumu-Adegbite tasked TESCOM, SUBEB educational districts, schools, private sector and experts to advance education.
The Guest Speaker, Mr Chilufya Base, Deputy Director of the British Council, declared that reimagining education required retaining fundamental principles.
He said that technology enhanced learning only when it strengthened and supported effective pedagogy.
Base stressed that equality must guide models suitable for connected learning environments, adding that foundational learning should be prioritised.
He also acknowledged the role of language as a gateway to effective teaching and meaningful student engagement.
“The future we are building must support teachers in using clear, inclusive classroom language. Educators should be empowered with the skills to deliver inclusive pedagogy that meets all learners’ needs,” he said.
The guest speaker also highlighted child protection policies and commended Lagos State Government for its commitment.
He called for stronger data-driven practices and encouraged the government to champion the reforms it envisioned.
In a goodwill message, Vanessa Lee, Chief Education Officer, UNICEF Nigeria, expressed delight at the forum, commending the state government’s forward-looking initiative, noting that children’s futures are central and reaffirming UNICEF’s commitment to supporting the cause.
Similarly, the Chairman, TESCOM, Mrs Victoria Peregrino, emphasised that innovation must remain at the core of the state’s education workforce development.
She added, “Education reforms are impactful today and lasting tomorrow, which is why Lagos State, through the Commission, invests in teacher training, capacity development and long-term partnerships with key stakeholders.”
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