Gbajabiamila  Advocates Review Of Educational Qualifications For Presidency,  Public Offices 

 Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria has suggested to the National Assembly to review the provisions of the section 131 (d) of the 1999 constitution as it concerns minimum educational qualifications for public offices in the country.

He spoke while presenting the 52nd convocation lecture of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) titled: “Building Back Better: Creating a New Framework for Tertiary Education in Nigeria in the 21st Century.”

He said as the country is approaching another year of general elections, it has become imperative to increase the  minimum educational qualification for persons aspiring to be future Presidents of Nigeria or occupy other top offices.

He said:”As the country is faced with yet another election in 2023. Prior to

the 2019 elections, we succeeded in amending the Constitution to effect the ‘Not Too Young to Run’ request and ensure the eligibility of young people to aspire to high offices in the land by reducing the eligible age for political offices.

” I also sincerely believe

that the National Assembly needs to look into section 131 (d)

of the 1999 constitution with a view to increasing the minimum educational qualification for persons aspiring to be

future Presidents of Nigeria and other top offices including the National Assembly as against the current minimum requirement of a secondary school certificate or its equivalent.

He added: “As we have reduced the age for eligibility to contest those offices so also, we should increase the minimum educational requirement.”

He said this will be another step in reforming the country’s electoral system and provide strong leadership for the country.

Speaking on the controversial electoral reform bills, the Speaker expressed hope that a Direct

Primary election method will lead to increased and  greater participation in the leadership recruitment process.

He charged the leadership of the National Assembly and Nigerians in general to begin to move away  from considerations of small things to focus on the pursuit and achievement of grand ambitions that could save the future.

He advocated for a joint collaboration to raise a new but conscientious generation of Nigerians in whose hearts the light of understanding is lit and

cannot be put out.

Gbajabiamila decried the rot in the education sector, saying sexual harassement must be effectively tackled beyond media hypes and occasional sacks.

“We cannot aspire to build 21st century institutions capable of competing effectively in the global space when this issue remains a reoccurring cause for concern. And we will not solve this problem through occasional purges brought on by external denunciations in the press or on social media, but by reconsidering how our tertiary institutions operate as a matter by of course.”

He suggested the adoption across the board a system of zero tolerance for individuals, students or staff who are credibly

accused of harassment, intimidation, and any infringements of individual autonomy.

Gbajabiamila advocated the need  for the set up of an independent panel made up of persons of integrity and unquestionable

authority, to evaluate the credibility of complaints, taking only relevant variables into consideration and, after that propose a course of action to which the university must be bound.

He added:”Our universities must be places of learning and innovation where

people feel safe and where injustice in all its forms has no place.”