Lagos: The National Education and Quality Assurance (NEQA-UK) has pledged to revive the reading culture among Nigerian students through the strategic use of smartphones. NEQA-UK’s representative in Nigeria, Dr. Nwoke Uwaoma, gave this assurance during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Uwaoma acknowledged that while smartphones have become a significant source of distraction for many students, these devices could be repurposed as effective learning tools. He emphasized the urgent need to address the declining reading culture in the country, proposing to utilize students’ obsession with smartphones to bring classroom work directly to them.
Dr. Uwaoma also called for more qualitative education in Nigerian institutions, expressing concern that some graduates struggle to defend their certificates. He highlighted the critical role of quality education in national development, quoting Malcolm X: “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”
NEQA-UK aims to establish a strong presence in Nigeria with a focus on education assurance, evaluation, measurement, and standards improvement. “We will hold government and corporate bodies accountable for transparency and accountability in education,” Uwaoma stated. The organisation is open to collaboration with relevant authorities, educational institutions, and non-governmental organisations to achieve its goals.
Drawing from Prof. Norman Gronlund’s “Measurement and Evaluation in Teaching” (1976), Uwaoma stressed the importance of effective evaluation techniques in learning. NEQA-UK plans to use a combination of reference and non-reference measurement criteria to ensure qualitative education. The organisation also intends to secure scholarships for Nigerians and partner with other organisations to enhance education quality.
The initiative includes leveraging phones and digital tools to enhance learning, with incentives designed to boost students’ commitment to reading and academic excellence. Uwaoma expressed hope that this innovative approach would rekindle students’ interest in reading and learning.
As a scientist and Fellow of the Institute of Strategic Entrepreneurs of Nigeria, Uwaoma urged the Federal Government to facilitate easier access to funds for entrepreneurs. This would empower youths to become self-reliant by combining academic knowledge and entrepreneurial skills acquired from university and the National Youth Service Scheme. “Easy access to funds will be key to sustaining their business drives,” he concluded.