FLOC 5.0: DAWN, NUC, Others to Seek Education Reform for Jobs, Innovation
Funmi Ogundare The Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, National Universities Commission (NUC) and other stakeholders are expected to converge on Abeokuta, Ogun State, on October 15, to explore
On October 15, 2023, the For the Love of the Country (FLOC) Commission, National Universities Commission (NUC), and other stakeholders are set to convene in Abeokuta, Ogun State, for the fifth edition of the FLOC conference and symposium. The event, themed 'Building a Prosperous Future: Re-Engineering Education and Driving Industrialisation for Innovation, Productivity and Jobs', aims to explore how Nigeria can transform its education system to foster industrialisation, innovation, productivity, and job creation.
The symposium will bring together policymakers, academics, business leaders, development experts, civic leaders, and representatives from the education and industrial sectors. Their collective goal is to examine practical strategies for building a more productive and prosperous Nigeria. FLOC convenor Atinuke Odjenima emphasized that this year's symposium would shift the national conversation from identifying challenges to building the capabilities required to address them.
Odjenima highlighted that the choice of Ogun State as the event's host was strategic, as it boasts a mix of educational institutions and industrial activities. The state's universities, polytechnics, and technical institutions operate alongside manufacturing plants, agro-processing hubs, and other industrial developments. This unique context allows for an in-depth examination of how education and industry can work more closely together, paving the way for a more productive economy.
Odjenima stressed that the future of Nigeria cannot be built on slogans but by individuals with the right skills, productive industries, and well-functioning institutions. She underscored the complementary roles of education, industry, and institutions in building a more prosperous and innovative Nigeria. The 2026 symposium will explore how to strengthen the relationship between education and industry, re-engineer the education system to align with the changing economy, and develop a workforce equipped for modern industry.
Additional areas of focus for the symposium include strengthening local production and building institutions capable of supporting innovation and productivity. With Ogun State's diverse economic profile, encompassing construction materials, food processing, pharmaceuticals, fast-moving consumer goods, logistics, and light assembly, the event offers a practical setting for discussions on how education and industry can synergize to drive Nigeria's growth.
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