A social media post on X (formerly Twitter) has prompted the National Educational Research Development Council (NERDC) to repaint its office in Yaba, Lagos.
The post, made by Alex Onyia (@winexviv) on July 11, highlighted the deteriorated state of the office building’s exterior.
Initial Post Details
Alex Onyia’s post included a photo showing the building’s faded paint, rusty gates, and almost illegible signage. The caption read:
“This is NERDC (National Education Research Development Council) in Jibowu Lagos, Close to WAEC office. This is the body in charge of the curriculum used in secondary schools.”
Response to the Post
The post garnered attention, and within two weeks, the NERDC office at 3 Jibowu Street, Yaba, Lagos, was repainted.
Another user, Oreofeoluwa (@MzTumz), shared the updated look of the building, attributing the quick renovation to the initial tweet. She wrote:
“They repainted it because of your tweet.”
Renovation and Public Reaction
Photos of the newly painted office showed a significantly improved exterior, with clear signage and freshly painted buildings, fence, and gate.
This rapid response sparked discussions about the agency’s initial neglect and the power of social media to drive change.
One user, Obinna (@obinnaxl), commented on the swift action:
“And the fact that it was done in less than 2 weeks. This country can work, they just don’t want it to.”
Background of NERDC
The Lagos NERDC office was the agency’s headquarters before it relocated to Abuja nearly three decades ago.
The Yaba office now hosts the NERDC Printing Press and NERDC Books, where the agency produces its publications.
NERDC is responsible for developing school curricula, particularly at the basic and secondary education levels, and plays a key role in shaping the educational policy in Nigeria.
The power of social media
This incident underscores the significant influence of social media in prompting governmental agencies to take action.
The quick response to the public outcry demonstrates the potential for accountability and improvement through citizen engagement.
Questions on adherence to public procurement regulations
The rapid renovation of the NERDC office raises questions about whether public procurement regulations were followed.
Nigeria has the Public Procurement Act, which aims to ensure transparency, competition, and value for money in the acquisition of goods, works, and services by public entities.
The Public Procurement Act requires that all procurement processes be transparent and competitive. This involves public advertising of tenders, bid evaluation, and awarding of contracts.
It remains unclear if these steps were followed in the case of the NERDC office renovation. The speed of the renovation suggests that standard procedures might have been bypassed.
While the Act allows for emergency procurements under certain conditions, such procurements must still follow specific guidelines, including obtaining necessary approvals.
The social media-driven urgency of this renovation does not clearly fit the standard definition of an emergency under the Act.
Another critical question is whether funds had previously been allocated for the maintenance and renovation of the NERDC office. If such allocations existed, it raises concerns about why the building’s condition was allowed to deteriorate to the point of public embarrassment.
The quick response to the social media post may indicate that the funds or capacity for renovation were always available but not utilized effectively.
This situation underscores potential issues in accountability and oversight within the agency.
The Public Procurement Act mandates regular audits and reviews to ensure that allocated funds are used appropriately and efficiently.
NERDC keeps mum
The case of the NERDC office renovation highlights potential lapses in adhering to public procurement regulations and questions about the effective use of public funds. Efforts to reach the NERDC via phone were futile as messages sent to its Chief Executive, Ismail Junaidu go unanswered.
EduCeleb.com‘s enquiring on adherence to the law underscores the need for strict compliance with procurement laws to ensure transparency, accountability, and the judicious use of resources.
The public deserves clarity on whether proper procedures were followed and if the renovation was part of a planned budget that had not been utilized timely. These aspects are crucial for maintaining public trust in government institutions and their management of public resources.
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