The Education Writers Association of Nigeria (EWAN) will on Thursday, November 27, convene its 2025 annual summit to examine Nigeria’s longstanding obsession with paper qualifications and the integrity of public examinations, with a special focus on whether Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) offers a sustainable solution.
The summit, now in its sixth edition, will be held at the Julius Berger Auditorium, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, with the theme: “Nigeria’s Obsession with Paper Qualification and Integrity of Public Examinations: Is TVET the Way Forward?”
In a statement issued on Thursday, EWAN said the event aims to spark a national conversation on shifting the country’s priority from degree-based certification to skills acquisition and competency-driven education.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, is expected to deliver the keynote address, where he will outline government efforts on strengthening TVET and highlight the challenges confronting Nigeria’s examination system.
To critique the minister’s presentation are heads of key public examination bodies, including the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede; the Head of the Nigeria National Office of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Dr. Amos Dangut; and the Registrar/Chief Executive of the National Examinations Council (NECO), Prof. Ibrahim Wushishi.
Discussions on addressing unemployment and bridging Nigeria’s persistent skills gap through TVET will feature experts such as the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje; the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), Ms Morounke Azeez; and representatives of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN).
UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, will host the summit, while the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, serves as Chief Host. The event will be chaired by former LASTVEB boss and Chairman of the Yoruba Tennis Club, Chief Olawunmi Gasper.
EWAN said this year’s summit is particularly timely, coming on the heels of widespread examination malpractice cases recorded in 2025 and rising public concerns about the credibility of certificates issued in Nigeria.
Chairperson of the Planning Committee, Mrs. Iyabo Lawal, stressed the urgency of addressing the root causes of examination fraud.
“What Nigerians experienced with the conduct of public examinations in 2025 demands urgent intervention from relevant stakeholders,” she said. “EWAN believes the rising cases of malpractices are tied to the nation’s emphasis on paper qualifications, making everyone desperate to acquire certificates at all costs, with or without the requisite knowledge.”
The event will feature two panel sessions and an award ceremony recognising individuals and institutions that have contributed to quality and affordable education in Nigeria.
Emeritus Professor of History of Education and former UNESCO representative, Michael Omolewa, will receive EWAN’s Icon of Education Award. Philanthropist Sir Kesington Adebutu, Chairman of the Kesington Adebukunola Adebutu Foundation (KAAF), will be honoured for his donations and endowments to public education.
The Nigerian Breweries–Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, sponsors of the Maltina Teacher of the Year competition, and the outgoing Vice-Chancellor of Babcock University, Prof. Ademola Tayo, will also receive awards for their support to teachers, schools, and EWAN’s initiatives.
EWAN expressed hope that the summit will chart a path toward a more skills-oriented education system capable of reducing unemployment and driving national development.
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