Osinbajo flags off “future perspectives” organization to address challenges in developing countries through education
Former Nigerian Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, has inaugurated a new organization called “Future Perspectives” aimed at addressing challenges faced by developing countries through education. At the inaugural virtual interactive dialogue, themed “EdTech for Transforming Education in Nigeria,” Osinbajo emphasized the crucial role education plays in tackling poverty, joblessness, inequality, and improving health outcomes in developing nations.
The event was organized in partnership with UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (IESALC) and focused on supporting the capacity-building component of the United Nations Global Youth Initiative. The initiative aims to equip young people with essential skills for transformative education.
During the dialogue, six youth education innovators and stakeholders discussed the challenges within Nigeria’s educational ecosystem and presented their innovative solutions. The panelists, hailing from diverse backgrounds such as practitioners, creators, advocates, and policymakers, shared their experiences and expertise in implementing educational technology (EdTech) to scale their innovations.
Addressing the audience in his keynote remarks, Prof. Osinbajo emphasized that education stands at the core of Future Perspectives’ work. He highlighted the organization’s alignment with the UN’s Transforming Education Summit, which placed education at the forefront of the global agenda to address the pressing educational crises.
Stressing the significance of young people’s involvement, the former VP emphasized the pivotal role they play as catalysts and innovators of change. Future Perspectives is driven by the belief that Africa’s youth can lead crucial global conversations and drive transformative change across the continent.
The dialogue also featured insights from guest speakers, including Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo, former Commissioner of Education in Lagos State, and representatives from various educational stakeholders, tech advocates, members of the diplomatic community, and Ms. Abby Asekun, the Executive Director of Future Perspectives.
The collaboration with UNESCO IESALC will see the launch of the “Innovation to Transform Education Training (ITET)” in Nigeria, aimed at strengthening the capacity of marginalized youth and students to become agents of change in education policy-making.
Future Perspectives and UNESCO IESALC intend to equip young education innovators with essential skills in innovation, policy, and project implementation, enabling them to engage meaningfully in educational practices and decision-making.
The event concluded with Osinbajo expressing his anticipation for a productive dialogue, where the remarkable young innovators’ insights would inspire and shape the future of education in Africa.
The inauguration of Future Perspectives marks a significant step towards addressing educational challenges in developing countries, with a focus on empowering the youth to become architects of their educational journeys and drive transformative change for a brighter future.
