By Chinedu Adonu

President General of the Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA), Mr. Michael Magaji, has called on all tiers of government to increase investment in public education, stressing that education is a fundamental human right and not a privilege.

Speaking at the 44th USOSA Plenary held on Saturday in Enugu, themed “Smart Schools: The Future of Public Education,” Magaji emphasized that education is essential for the realization of all other human rights—social, economic, cultural, political, and civil.

“Education is the foundation for building a better future for all. It is the key to unlocking all other human rights,” he said.

Magaji commended Enugu State Governor, Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for championing the smart school initiative and digital learning innovations in the state, describing them as essential for preparing young Nigerians for 21st-century challenges.

He urged other state governments to adopt Enugu’s approach by integrating technology into classrooms and creating a dynamic, inclusive learning environment.

“Just eleven months ago, USOSA held an Education Summit on digital learning and transformation for the 21st-century child. I’m glad to see we’ve moved from strategy to implementation, and Enugu is leading the way,” Magaji stated.

He explained that smart schools, with their focus on digital tools, creativity, and critical thinking, provide a more engaging alternative to traditional rote learning methods.

“Unfortunately, many Nigerian schools are stuck in the analog era. According to UNESCO, over 20 million Nigerian children are out of school. This is not just a number—it’s a generation at risk,” he warned.

Highlighting challenges such as the lack of electricity, internet, furniture, and trained teachers in many public schools, Magaji stressed that the issue is not student potential but limited access to opportunities.

“Nigerian students excel globally when given the right tools. Look at students from FGGC Shagamu winning an international robotics competition, or our youths building apps and launching tech startups. The issue isn’t capacity—it’s access. We need the political will and collective effort to bridge the gap,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia—who represented Governor Mbah—affirmed that Unity Schools reflect the state’s commitment to using education as a tool to foster national integration and bridge ethnic, religious, and economic divides.

“The Unity Schools model aligns with Enugu’s vision of building a stronger, more inclusive society through education,” Onyia stated.

He said Governor Mbah’s education reforms are part of a larger economic vision aimed at growing Enugu’s GDP from $4.4 billion to $30 billion. He stressed that the Smart Green School project is a long-term investment in human capital development, not a short-term political initiative.

“What USOSA is doing aligns perfectly with Enugu’s commitment to building a knowledge-based economy. This partnership is laying the groundwork for a more prosperous and secure Nigeria,” Onyia added.

The plenary attracted alumni from various Unity Schools, education stakeholders, and policymakers who explored strategies to transform Nigeria’s public education system through innovation, collaboration, and sustained investment.