The 2024 Africa Student Leaders’ General Assembly, held recently in Abuja, Nigeria, marked a significant milestone in the continent’s quest for educational reform. The gathering, which brought together student leaders from across Africa, served as a platform for deliberation on the state of education in Africa and the way forward. At the forefront of the discussions was the need for a revolutionary transformation of Africa’s education system, tailor-making the educational curriculum to provide solutions to Africa’s problems.

According to the President of the All-Africa Students Union (AASU), H.E. Osisiogu Osikenyi E., the current education system in Africa is not tailored to meet the needs of the continent. “We are not just asking for increased access to education or improved funding; we are demanding a fundamental transformation of our curriculum,” Osisiogu emphasized. “We want to see an education system that is designed to solve Africa’s problems, not just to produce graduates who are employable in the West.”

This sentiment was echoed by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, renowned author, President of the LoveWorld Nation, and founder of Christ Embassy, who highlighted the limitations of Africa’s current curriculum. “We produce graduates who are unemployed in Africa, but who are able to secure jobs in Canada and Europe,” Pastor Chris noted. “This is a clear indication that our education system is not designed to meet the needs of our continent.”

Pastor Chris further emphasized the need for a curriculum that is relevant to Africa’s context. “We need to develop a curriculum that is tailored to solve Africa’s problems,” he said. “We need to teach our students in local languages, so they can understand the concepts better.” This, according to Pastor Chris, will enable African students to apply the knowledge they acquire in school to solve real-life problems in their communities.

The partnership between LoveWorld Nation, Rhapsody Reach Out Day, and AASU, culminating to the event, is a significant step towards achieving this goal.

Pastor Dipo Fisho of the Abuja Zone of the Christ Embassy, representing Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, emphasized the strategic importance of this partnership. “We’re eager to collaborate, leveraging education to drive development in Africa,” Fisho said. “We believe that by working together, we can create a brighter future for Africa and the world.”

One of the initiatives that have been launched to drive this vision is the Rhapsody of Realities, a daily devotional that has been translated into over 800 languages, including local African languages. The devotional has been widely acclaimed for its transformative impact on the lives of young people.

“We have seen the impact of the Rhapsody of Realities on the lives of young people,” Fisho said. “We have seen how it has transformed their lives, and we believe that our textbooks in schools can have the same impact if translated into local languages in Africa.”

The Future African Leaders Awards, established by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, is another initiative that is driving this vision. The program empowers young Africans with resources and support, enabling them to drive innovation and progress in their communities. “We are committed to raising the next generation of African leaders,” Fisho said. “We are committed to empowering them with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to drive development in Africa.”

As Africa strives to create a brighter future, the emphasis on education and youth empowerment remains paramount. By investing in transformative education, Africa can unlock its potential and propel progress. The 2024 Africa Student Leaders’ General Assembly served as a reminder of the importance of education in driving development in Africa. It also highlighted the need for a collaborative approach to achieving this goal.

According to H.E. Osisiogu, AASU is committed to working with all stakeholders to drive educational reform in Africa.

“We are committed to working with governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector to drive educational reform in Africa,” Osisiogu said. “We believe that by working together, we can create a brighter future for Africa and the world.”

As the continent moves forward, it is clear that education will play a critical role in driving development. The 2024 Africa Student Leaders’ General Assembly served as a call to action, a reminder of the need for a revolutionary transformation of Africa’s education system. It also highlighted the importance of collaboration and partnership in achieving this goal.

In his remarks, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome also emphasized the need for Africa to halt the brain drain and the export of African resources. “We need to develop our infrastructure, human capacity, and resources,” Pastor Chris said. “We need to create opportunities for our young people to stay in Africa and contribute to the development of the continent.”

His representative, Pastor Dipo Fisho, emphasised the need for Africa to develop its own solutions to its problems. “We need to develop our own solutions to our problems,” Fisho said. “We need to stop relying on foreign aid and foreign expertise. We need to develop our own expertise and our own solutions.”

Other speakers who shared these views include the President of Rochas Foundation, Senator Rochas Okorocha, and the Keynote Speaker and Founder of The International University of Management, Namibia, Prof. David Namwandi, who insisted that a fully pro-African education system is one that is deeply rooted in African realities, while also embracing global excellence. “It’s about creating a holistic learning experience that combines academic knowledge with practical skills, critical thinking, and real-world problem-solving.”

This approach, according to him, celebrates African strengths while addressing the unique challenges faced by the continent.

Prof Namwandi emphasised that it is essential to integrate indigenous knowledge with modern innovations, preparing young Africans to be creators and innovators, rather than just consumers. “To achieve this, we need to harness the power of technology, community engagement, and local development. By doing so, we can build bridges between learning and doing, tradition and innovation, and wisdom and global knowledge.”

Some of the key challenges facing African education systems include the learning crisis, inadequate teacher training, and insufficient investment in early childhood education. “To overcome these challenges, we need to adopt evidence-based policies, improve teacher training, and increase access to quality education for all.”

He added that “Ultimately, a pro-African education system is one that empowers young Africans to take ownership of their learning, their communities, and their continent’s future. It’s time for us to take action and create an education system that truly reflects African values, aspirations, and realities.”

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