What Nigeria Can Learn from the U.S. Educational System: Insights from Oluyemisi Oloniyo
Oluyemisi Oloniyo, a childhood education specialist and researcher, shares her insights with TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE on what Nigeria can learn from the U.S. educational system and discusses how she became the first Nigerian to win the prestigious Woman of Distinction Award at a U.S. university.
Background and Career Overview
Oluyemisi Oloniyo has had an impressive career as a classroom teacher, assessor, researcher, and advocate for community service. She worked at the Supreme Education Foundation School in Lagos, Nigeria, where she advanced to lead the Curriculum and Quality Assurance departments. Currently, she is a graduate student and researcher at Washington State University (WSU) in Pullman, USA.
Woman of Distinction Award
Oloniyo was recently honored with the prestigious Woman of Distinction Award at Washington State University, becoming the first Nigerian to receive this recognition. The award is given annually by the university’s president to women who have made outstanding contributions through research, scholarly work, and community service. Oloniyo was acknowledged for her impactful research and contributions to addressing community challenges.
Current Role at Washington State University
Oloniyo is pursuing her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology at WSU, where she also earned her master’s degree. She works with the Centre for Civic Engagement (CCE), connecting students with community partners, particularly non-profits that serve underserved populations. Her work helps students gain valuable insights by applying classroom learning in real-world settings.
Comparing U.S. and Nigerian Educational Systems
Reflecting on her experiences in both Nigeria and the U.S., Oloniyo compares the educational systems of the two countries. In Nigeria, students of education courses generally engage in practical teaching at least once before graduation, while in the U.S., experiential teaching is mandatory every semester and forms part of the course credits. This hands-on learning approach ensures that students gain real-world experience throughout their studies.
Oloniyo also highlights a cultural difference: in Nigeria, many students only pursue education degrees when they are unable to gain admission to other professional fields like law or medicine. She shares her own journey of switching from accounting to education, which ultimately led her to discover her passion for teaching and early childhood education.
Pursuit of Knowledge and Personal Growth
Oloniyo left Nigeria to further her expertise in childhood education. She emphasizes the critical role that early education plays in a child’s development and believes that specialized knowledge in this area is essential. Her ongoing research in the U.S. is focused on refining this knowledge.
Adopting U.S. Educational Models in Nigeria
Oloniyo believes Nigeria can benefit from adopting the U.S. model of experiential learning, which encourages students to gain practical experience while studying. She argues that educational leaders in Nigeria should focus on identifying local gaps and designing programs that address them. By fostering self-awareness in students, she believes that the Nigerian educational system can better guide students towards fulfilling careers.
Despite the challenges posed by limited resources, Oloniyo stresses that with political will, Nigeria can implement these changes and improve the overall educational experience for students.
Conclusion
Oloniyo’s insights suggest that there are valuable lessons to be learned from both the U.S. and Nigerian educational systems. By embracing hands-on, experience-based learning, Nigeria can equip students with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world, and ultimately, foster more purposeful leadership.
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