LAGOS/Nigeria: The United Kingdom–based National Education and Quality Assurance Accreditation (NEQA-UK) has unveiled plans to revive Nigeria’s declining reading culture by leveraging smartphones as structured learning tools for students.
The assurance was given by NEQA-UK’s Nigeria representative, Nwoke Uwaoma, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
Uwaoma acknowledged that smartphones have become a major source of distraction for many students, but said the devices could be repurposed to enhance learning and academic engagement if properly structured.
“There is an urgent need to confront the steady decline in reading culture among Nigerian students,” he said. “We are going to use their obsession to our advantage by bringing classroom work to them through the same smartphones.”
He stressed the need for a stronger focus on qualitative education in Nigerian institutions, lamenting that some graduates struggle to adequately defend their certificates.
Emphasising the link between education quality and national development, Uwaoma cited Malcolm X’s famous assertion that education is the passport to the future, noting that countries that neglect standards in education risk stunting their growth.
According to him, NEQA-UK intends to establish a strong operational presence in Nigeria, with emphasis on education assurance, evaluation, measurement and continuous improvement of standards.
“We will hold government and corporate bodies accountable for transparency and accountability in the education sector,” he said, adding that the organisation would be open to partnerships with relevant authorities, educational institutions and non-governmental organisations to achieve its objectives.
Drawing from Professor Norman Gronlund’s work, Measurement and Evaluation in Teaching (1976), Uwaoma underscored the importance of effective evaluation techniques in the learning process. He explained that NEQA-UK would deploy both reference and non-reference measurement criteria to ensure quality outcomes in education.
He also disclosed plans to secure scholarship opportunities for Nigerians and collaborate with local and international partners to strengthen education delivery.
“The innovative approach will include leveraging phones and other digital tools to enhance learning, with incentives designed to boost students’ commitment to reading and academic excellence,” he said.
Uwaoma expressed optimism that the initiative would help restore students’ interest in reading and structured learning, while also promoting critical thinking.
The scientist and Fellow of the Institute of Strategic Entrepreneurs of Nigeria further urged the Federal Government to ease access to funding for entrepreneurs, arguing that financial support is critical for youths seeking self-reliance after graduation.
“When young people are academically grounded and equipped with entrepreneurial skills from universities and the National Youth Service Scheme, access to funds becomes crucial to sustaining their business ideas,” he said.
