The Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows Alumni Association of Nigeria (COSFAN) has expressed concern over the declining state of Nigeria’s education system, warning that poor funding, brain drain, and weak governance are undermining national development.
COSFAN, made up of Nigerians who have benefited from Commonwealth scholarships, fellowships, and training programmes abroad, draws members from academia, public service, the private sector, and civil society.
Speaking in a recent interview, COSFAN President, Dr. Ekundayo Samuel, described education as the “cornerstone of societal progress” and criticised the political elite for prioritising personal interests over institutional integrity.
“The tendency to appoint individuals who align with political agendas rather than competence is alarming,” he said, adding that many educators are forced to self-fund research and teaching due to inadequate support.
Samuel warned that corruption, crumbling infrastructure, and a worsening brain drain continue to strip the country of talent, while the political culture rewards inefficiency. He described it as “absurd” that Nigeria still celebrates intermittent electricity supply as progress, questioning how industrialisation can be achieved without stable power and long-term planning.
He further cautioned that Nigeria’s window to address these issues is closing, urging collective action and stronger collaboration across all levels of government. “While some policies introduced by the current administration are commendable, their success lies in implementation, and that requires genuine cooperation,” he said.
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