EU to invest over €45m on basic education in Northwest
EU to invest over €45m on basic education in Northwest Tribune Online
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EU to Invest Over €45 Million in Basic Education in Northwestern Nigeria
The European Union (EU) has announced its plan to invest over 45 million euros in grants to support basic education, with a particular focus on the Northwestern region of Nigeria, which has been heavily affected by insecurity.
EU Ambassador’s Statement
The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and the ECOWAS, Ms Samuela Isopi, made this announcement during the 2023 Erasmus scholarship awardees pre-departure orientation event held in Abuja. She highlighted the importance of investing in basic education, especially in regions where education systems have been disrupted due to insecurity.
Ms Isopi emphasized the EU’s commitment to girls’ education as a crucial precondition for achieving women empowerment, gender equality, and overall prosperity.
Erasmus Scholarships
The EU has awarded 135 Erasmus plus scholarships to Nigerian students, making Nigeria the top country in Africa and among the top 5 globally, alongside Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Brazil.
The EU aims for Nigeria to become the number one country in the world and will collaborate with the Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission, and Nigerian Universities to achieve this goal.
Since 2014, nearly 800 Nigerians have benefited from the Erasmus Master Study program, with 500 awardees in the past 4 years. The number of Nigerian awardees has been consistently increasing and reached a record of over 200 awardees last year.
Unique Opportunities of Erasmus Plus
The Erasmus Plus program offers unique opportunities for post-graduate/Master study programs. It is a multi-country and multi-cultural program that allows students to study in at least three different universities across different countries.
While most students will study in European Union countries, other countries such as Turkey, Serbia, and the UK are also part of Erasmus.
Upon completion of their study program, students will receive an internationally recognized master’s degree jointly awarded by a consortium of top-level universities under the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree program.
These master’s degrees are high-level integrated study programs resulting from international partnerships between top-level higher education institutions.
Encouragement from the Ministry of Education
In his goodwill message, Andrew Adejo, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, encouraged the awardees to actively contribute to the academic and social development of their host institutions.
He urged them to take advantage of the rich academic resources available, explore different fields of study, and passionately pursue their interests. Adejo reminded the awardees that they are ambassadors of their respective institutions and Nigeria, and by exemplifying values such as resilience, cultural appreciation, and academic excellence, they can positively shape perceptions and foster strong ties between Nigeria and Europe.
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
The article highlights the European Union’s investment in basic education in Northwestern Nigeria, particularly in areas affected by insecurity. This aligns with SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Additionally, the EU’s emphasis on girls’ education connects to SDG 5, which focuses on achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education.
- SDG 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education, including university.
- SDG 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life.
The article mentions the EU’s focus on supporting basic education, including girls’ education, in Northwestern Nigeria. This aligns with the targets of SDG 4.1, which aims to ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education. Additionally, the EU’s investment in post-graduate/Master study programs for Nigerian awardees relates to SDG 4.3, which seeks to ensure equal access to affordable and quality tertiary education. The emphasis on women’s education and empowerment also connects to SDG 5.5, which aims to ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Number of girls and boys completing primary and secondary education in the Northwestern region of Nigeria.
- Number of women and men accessing affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education, including university.
- Level of women’s participation and leadership in decision-making processes in Nigeria.
The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators, but progress towards the identified targets can be measured using indicators such as the number of girls and boys completing primary and secondary education in the Northwestern region of Nigeria. Additionally, the number of women and men accessing affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education, including university, can serve as an indicator. Lastly, the level of women’s participation and leadership in decision-making processes in Nigeria can be used to measure progress towards achieving gender equality.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education. | Number of girls and boys completing primary and secondary education in the Northwestern region of Nigeria. |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education, including university. | Number of women and men accessing affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education, including university. |
| 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life. | Level of women’s participation and leadership in decision-making processes in Nigeria. |
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Source: tribuneonlineng.com
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