Nigerian agricultural drone innovator, Shamsuddeen Jibril Balgadi, has called for a radical shift in Nigeria’s education system, warning that the country may struggle to compete globally if schools continue to prioritise memorisation over practical innovation and problem solving.
Balgadi, whose agricultural drone technology has attracted international attention, made the call in an interview with The Nigeria Education News, where he spoke extensively on the future of STEM education, innovation, and youth development in Nigeria.
The young innovator said Nigeria is filled with talented students, but many are trapped in an education system that focuses heavily on theory while neglecting practical application, experimentation, and creative thinking.
According to him, the country’s universities and polytechnics must begin producing solution driven graduates capable of addressing real problems in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, climate technology, and infrastructure.
“My educational background in Aerospace Engineering exposed me to aerodynamics, programming, electronics, CAD design, and problem solving, but a lot of my growth also came from experimentation, building prototypes, failing, and improving,” he said.
Balgadi, who grew up as a farmer’s son, explained that his exposure to agricultural challenges inspired him to develop drone technology targeted at improving farming efficiency and productivity.
He identified weak laboratory infrastructure, inadequate research funding, poor access to modern equipment, and limited mentorship opportunities as some of the major challenges slowing innovation within Nigeria’s education sector.
The drone developer also stressed the need for students to begin learning practical skills early, including digital literacy, critical thinking, communication, teamwork, programming, and electronics.
He noted that many young Nigerians interested in technology often lack direction and exposure, despite having strong potential.
According to him, self learning has become increasingly important in today’s digital world, with several technical skills now accessible through online courses, communities, and practical projects.
Balgadi further urged tertiary institutions to embrace project based learning and establish innovation hubs capable of connecting students directly with industries and local communities.
He also advocated for the introduction of drone technology, robotics, and practical STEM education into schools through workshops, innovation clubs, and community learning centres across both urban and rural areas.
Comparing Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem with what operates abroad, Balgadi said students in developed countries benefit from stronger support systems, including access to research funding, modern tools, mentorship, and innovation infrastructure from an early stage.
Despite the challenges, however, he praised Nigerian youths for their creativity and resilience, insisting that the country possesses enormous untapped innovation potential.
“If I could change one thing in Nigeria’s education system, it would be shifting from memorisation based learning to practical problem solving education,” he said.
“When education focuses on innovation and critical thinking, students become creators of solutions instead of only job seekers.”
His remarks come amid growing national conversations around STEM education, youth innovation, digital technology, and the urgent need to align Nigeria’s education system with emerging global industries and future workforce demands.
