The Education Writers Association of Nigeria, EWAN will on November 27 convene its 2025 annual summit to examine Nigeria’s deepening obsession with paper qualifications and the rising concerns over the integrity of public examinations.
The event, scheduled to hold at the Julius Berger Auditorium, University of Lagos, UNILAG, will focus on the theme: “Nigeria’s Obsession with Paper Qualification and Integrity of Public Examinations: Is TVET the Way Forward?”
EWAN said the summit is aimed at shifting national attention toward skills, competence and Technical and Vocational Education and Training, TVET as a pathway to reducing unemployment and strengthening the credibility of Nigeria’s education system.
Speaking ahead of the event, Chairperson of the Planning Committee, Mrs. Iyabo Lawal, said the 2025 examination controversies show the need for urgent reforms.
According to her, “The rising cases of malpractice are tied to Nigeria’s emphasis on paper qualifications. Everyone wants the certificate, with or without the knowledge. This summit provides the platform to address these issues with the stakeholders who can drive change.”
This year’s event comes amid rising cases of examination malpractice and concerns that the country’s certificate-driven culture is pushing students and institutions toward shortcuts. EWAN says it hopes the summit will help reframe national priorities around practical skills rather than paper qualifications.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, will deliver the keynote address, where he is expected to outline government efforts on TVET expansion and ongoing reforms in public examinations.
Heads of the country’s major examination bodies will review the Minister’s address, including JAMB Registrar Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, WAEC Nigeria Head Dr. Amos Dangut, and NECO Registrar Prof. Ibrahim Wushishi.
Also expected at the summit are key figures in the technical and manufacturing sectors, such as the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje; Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), Ms. Morounke Azeez; and representatives of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN).
They will speak on the relevance of TVET in addressing the country’s growing skills gap.
The UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, will host the event, while the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, serves as Chief Host.
Former LASTVEB Executive Secretary and Chairman of the Yoruba Tennis Club, Chief Olawunmi Gasper, will chair the summit.
The summit will also feature two panel sessions and an award ceremony honouring individuals and institutions that have contributed significantly to public education.
Awardees include Emeritus Professor Michael Omolewa, who will receive the “Icon of Education” award; philanthropist Sir Kesington Adebutu; the Nigerian Breweries–Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, sponsor of the Maltina Teacher of the Year Award; and outgoing Babcock University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ademola Tayo, for his decade-long partnership with EWAN.