The Founder and Executive Director of Slum2School Africa, Mr. Orondaam Otto, has called for far-reaching reforms in Nigeria’s education system, proposing a 3-12-4 model to replace the existing 9-3-4 structure.
Otto made the proposal during his convocation lecture at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) on January 19, 2026, as part of the institution’s 56th convocation ceremonies.
He argued that the current system fails to adequately capture early childhood years, which he described as critical for brain development, language acquisition, values formation and socialisation. According to him, Nigeria’s education framework should begin with three years of structured early childhood education, followed by twelve years of basic education and four years of tertiary training.
Otto advocated an expansion of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Act to formally integrate the first three years of early learning and redesign senior secondary education into a three-year phase focused on skills, specialisation and real-world competence.
The proposed 3-12-4 system, he said, would address major gaps in Nigeria’s education sector, including the overemphasis on examinations and certificates at the expense of early skills development and creativity. He stressed that schools must evolve into centres of dignity, excellence and inspiration, rather than symbols of neglect.
Delivering a lecture titled “Maximising Nigeria’s Demographic Dividend through Urgent Education Reform for Global Competitiveness in the 21st Century,” Otto also called for curriculum standardisation and decolonisation. He urged the promotion of African values through Nigerian fairy tales, storybooks, animations and learning resources built around local heroes, history and culture.
The Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, endorsed the call for reform, noting that Nigeria’s current education models are increasingly unsustainable. She stressed the need for deliberate investment and strategic thinking to reposition education as a driver of national development and global competitiveness.
The lecture was chaired by former UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rahamon Bello, who commended Otto’s proposals. The event formed part of UNILAG’s 56th convocation, which saw 16,506 students graduate, including 709 first-class degree holders.
Otto further proposed the creation of two strategic education ministries—one for children and basic education, and another for higher education and research. He also advocated a fully digitised, data-driven education system where every learner can be uniquely identified, monitored and supported throughout their academic journey.
He emphasised the need to re-engineer education around early skills discovery, confidence building and multiple pathways to success, noting that Nigeria’s population, projected to reach 410 million by 2050, could become a national asset rather than a liability with the right reforms.
Highlighting UNILAG’s efforts, Otto noted the university’s expansion from 12 to 19 faculties, the recruitment of 350 new staff, support for over 61 startups, attraction of more than $17.3 million in research grants, and the establishment of a state-of-the-art molecular laboratory for Parkinson’s disease research.
He added that implementing the 3-12-4 model would require amendments to the UBE Act and strong collaboration among policymakers, educators and stakeholders, but said the reforms could significantly transform Nigeria’s education system and accelerate national development.
follow us on whatsapp
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAOIUe9mrGeBhrju12b
Download our Mobile App for easy access
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.edutvmobile.ng&hl=en
Mobile App Lite
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.edutvng.lite
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.edutvmobile.ng&hl=en
Follow us on Youtube
https://youtube.com/@edutvnigeria
Follow us on LinkedIn -
https://ng.linkedin.com/company/edutvnigeria
Follow us on Instagram
https://instagram.com/edutvnigeria
Follow us on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/edutvnigeria/
