Nigeria’s education sector is in urgent need of a comprehensive overhaul. While infrastructure, funding, and policy gaps are often cited, one overlooked root of the crisis is poor parenting and the early formation of character in children.
A child’s foundational years—particularly from birth to age three—are critical for developing values and discipline. Unfortunately, many parents today are disconnected from their children’s behavioural development during this crucial stage. Habits not corrected early tend to become entrenched, making later intervention more difficult.
Diligence and discipline, both essential for academic success, must be cultivated intentionally at home and reinforced in school. Nevertheless, in today’s society, overindulgence is replacing structure. Parents now routinely challenge teachers for disciplining their children, undermining authority and promoting a sense of entitlement. In some cases, children are gifted expensive smartphones to keep up appearances or “social class,” without supervision or guidance. Though phones may support e-learning, their misuse exposes children to inappropriate content and distracts from learning.
To address this, education policymakers, school administrators, and psychologists must collaborate to design and implement “academic-only” devices or apps tailored for learning, without access to social media. This step can help limit distractions, curb moral decline, and redirect students’ focus toward excellence. Reviving Nigeria’s education system requires both structural reforms and value reorientation—beginning at home and reinforced by schools and society at large.
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