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Calls for regional rollout of CIC Enugu alumni model
By Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
Former Minister of Aviation Osita Chidoka has urged the five South East governors to adopt the College of the Immaculate Conception (CIC) Enugu alumni partnership model across the region by upgrading five legacy schools per state into elite STEM-focused boarding institutions.
Speaking at the 6th Annual Lecture of the College of the Immaculate Conception (CIC) Alumni in Enugu, at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, Chidoka called for increased investment in instruction over infrastructure. “Infrastructure is vital, but instruction is where transformation happens. That means better pay for teachers, modern laboratories, well-equipped libraries, and nutrition plans to ensure every child is ready to learn,” he said.
Chidoka commended Enugu State’s unprecedented ₦320 billion 33% budget allocation to education and the CIC Alumni’s ₦3 billion investment in projects such as a ₦1.5 billion sports complex, 540-bed solar-powered hostel, and auditorium.
He noted, however, that despite Enugu’s impressive budgetary commitment, Nigeria still faces a severe funding gap compared to the world’s leading education systems.
“Nigeria’s per-student spend remains under $50, far below South Africa ($4,000) and Egypt ($1,000). A new model of joint government–alumni action is required to close the gap,” Chidoka urged.
He proposed a blended recurrent funding structure—40% from state governments, 25% from fees, and 35% from alumni contributions—to achieve per-student spending of ₦1m–₦1.2m ($500 to $700)—below African peers—annually, enabling improved facilities, quality teachers, modern labs, and student nutrition programmes.
“If we prove this model in the South East, we will create 25 gold-standard schools, a generation fluent in technology, confident in science, and equipped with the skills to create jobs, not just seek them. We would also provide a tested blueprint for transforming public education nationwide,” Chidoka said.