The Alpha Christian Education Ministry has sought collaboration with the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council to review its educational curriculum and instructional materials in line with the Council’s approved standards and regulations.
The request was made during a courtesy visit to NERDC headquarters on Tuesday by the National Director of ACEM, Naomi Panya Baba.
She said the visit was aimed at strengthening the relationship between both organisations and exploring areas of collaboration in curriculum implementation, educator capacity building, curriculum adaptation within approved standards, curriculum research and development, as well as the review and approval of the ministry’s Christ-centred educational curriculum and instructional materials.
Mrs. Panya Baba acknowledged NERDC’s pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s education system and reaffirmed ACEM’s support for the Council’s ongoing reforms, including the promotion of national values, implementation of the revised national curriculum, competency-based learning, digital literacy, entrepreneurship and vocational education, and inclusive education.
She explained that ACEM, established in 1989 by an Australian missionary and headquartered at the ECWA Theological Seminary in Jos, Plateau State, is committed to promoting Christ-centred education by supporting individuals, churches, ministries and communities to establish schools that combine academic excellence with biblical and moral values.
Responding, the Executive Secretary of NERDC, Salisu Shehu, described the visit as a reflection of mutual respect, friendship and a shared commitment to advancing quality education in Nigeria.
He noted that ACEM’s proposed partnership aligns with the Council’s mandate, particularly in promoting moral and religious values through education.
Prof. Shehu expressed concern over what he described as the declining moral values among young people, saying the trend has contributed to many of the social challenges facing the country.
He stressed the need to instill sound moral and religious values in children while reaffirming NERDC’s commitment to ensuring that all textbooks used in Nigerian schools are rigorously evaluated and certified.
According to him, any publication found to contain inappropriate or unacceptable content would not be approved for use in schools.
The NERDC Executive Secretary assured the delegation that the Council remains open to strategic partnerships with organisations whose objectives align with its mandate of improving education and promoting national development.
The meeting was attended by senior NERDC officials, including the Director of the Language Development Centre, Nkechi Adiele; the Director of the Library and Informatics Centre, Mandela Asebiomo; the Director of General Services, Salifu Zubeiru; the Director of the Executive Secretary’s Office, Mohammed Sabiu Sule; the Head of Finance and Accounts, Charles Itodo; the representative of the Director of Human Resource and Corporate Services, Mohammed Tyabo; and the Personal Assistant to the Executive Secretary, Yunusa Ado.