Out-of-School Children: Educationist Urges Nigerian Government and Citizens to Prioritize Education

Professor Beatrice Opeolu, an expert in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, has urged the Nigerian government at all levels, alongside well-meaning individuals, to prioritize education as a way to significantly reduce the country's out-of-school children.

Speaking during an event held in Imasayi, Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, where she distributed educational materials to over 781 pupils of Ansar-Udeen Primary School and Christ Church Primary School, Opeolu emphasized the need for financial support and awareness campaigns to encourage education, particularly for indigent students and rural communities.

Opeolu, who is also the President of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), delivered this initiative through her NGO, BEE Solutions and Consultancy Services, with support from the American Chemical Society (ACS). The distributed items, which included school bags, exercise books, and water bottles, were part of her community-oriented program, 'BEEYOURBEST.'

She stressed that such gestures are essential for motivating students and parents to take education seriously. Opeolu reassured the children that education remains the most viable path to success, particularly for those not born into wealth. She encouraged them to persevere through challenges, noting that the economic hardships should not deter their educational pursuits.

“Education is still profitable,” she affirmed, dispelling misconceptions about its relevance. Opeolu called on the government to focus on supporting indigent students who show academic potential but lack financial backing. She also urged parents to prioritize their children's education over frivolous expenses, assuring them that even the most challenging child could grow into greatness.

This intervention is part of Opeolu’s broader strategy to keep school-age children in classrooms, reducing Nigeria's alarming rate of school dropouts.