Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor l Journalist at Weng Global
Pastor Folu Adeboye and former Nigerian Minister of Education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, have called for stronger emphasis on moral values, character development and responsible citizenship in Christian schools, urging parents, teachers, churches and education stakeholders to work together in raising a generation equipped to contribute meaningfully to society.
The call was made during the Kingdom Education Summit organised by Christ the Redeemer’s School Management (CRSM) on November 5, 2026, at Redemption City of God, Mowe, Ogun State.
The summit, themed “Revisiting Kingdom Education: The Role of Stakeholders,” brought together education professionals, school administrators, religious leaders and other stakeholders to examine the responsibilities of Christian institutions in shaping children’s intellectual, spiritual and moral development.
Both speakers stressed that education should extend beyond academic qualifications, arguing that schools must also prepare young people to become disciplined, ethical and responsible members of society.
Folu Adeboye Calls for Stronger Partnership Between Parents and Teachers
Pastor Folu Adeboye, wife of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, emphasised that raising responsible children should not be regarded as the responsibility of schools alone.
She urged parents to cooperate with teachers and church leaders in developing children’s character, discipline and understanding of Christian values.
According to her, the home remains an important foundation for effective education, making parental involvement essential to the success of schools.
Adeboye expressed concern about situations where some parents undermine teachers’ authority or fail to correct their children when necessary.
She particularly cautioned against excessive pampering during school holidays, arguing that children should continue to receive appropriate guidance and discipline outside the classroom.
She also raised concerns about children who disrespect teachers because of their parents’ financial or social positions.
Such attitudes, she indicated, could weaken discipline and make it more difficult for teachers to fulfil their responsibilities.
Adeboye maintained that parents should support teachers rather than encourage children to disregard school authority.
Her position reflects a broader argument that effective education requires consistency between the values taught at home, the principles promoted in schools and the guidance provided by religious institutions.
Ezekwesili Says Academic Excellence Must Be Supported by Character
In her keynote address, Oby Ezekwesili called on Christian schools to place character development alongside academic excellence, professional competence and the acquisition of practical skills.
The former education minister argued that producing academically successful individuals without strong moral foundations could create serious challenges for society.
She stressed that educational institutions should develop individuals who possess the knowledge, values and capabilities required to contribute positively to national development.
Ezekwesili identified four important qualities that Christian schools should cultivate in their students: character, competence, capacity and citizenship.
These qualities, she explained, are essential to preparing young people for leadership, responsible participation in society and nation-building.
She warned that professional competence without moral character could have damaging consequences.
“Competence and capability without character will mainly produce sophisticated corruption,” she said.
Her observation highlights the importance of ethical leadership in a society where professional qualifications and technical expertise do not automatically translate into integrity or responsible conduct.
Ezekwesili’s argument also places responsibility on Christian educational institutions to ensure that their graduates demonstrate the values their schools claim to promote.
Rather than measuring educational success exclusively through examination results and academic achievements, she encouraged a broader understanding of what schools should contribute to society.
Rural Schools and Inadequate Learning Facilities Raise Concerns
Beyond moral and spiritual development, Adeboye highlighted the need to improve educational infrastructure, particularly in underserved rural communities.
She recalled encountering pupils sitting on classroom floors during evangelism activities, expressing concern about the inadequate learning facilities available in some communities.
Her observation drew attention to the challenges facing children who attend schools without sufficient furniture and other basic educational resources.
Adeboye said efforts had sometimes been made to provide furniture to schools in such circumstances, but urged stakeholders to pay greater attention to the needs of disadvantaged learners.
The issue is significant because the quality of education depends not only on teachers, curriculum and school management but also on whether children have access to suitable environments for learning.
Inadequate classrooms, insufficient furniture and limited educational resources can create additional difficulties for pupils and teachers.
Improving facilities in rural communities therefore remains an important consideration in efforts to strengthen educational opportunities and reduce disparities between schools.
The call also reinforces the need for Christian organisations operating educational institutions to combine their moral and spiritual objectives with practical investments in learning infrastructure.
Christian Education and Nigeria’s National Development
The discussions at the summit come amid continuing concerns about the quality and accessibility of education in Nigeria.
Issues surrounding out-of-school children, educational infrastructure, teacher capacity and the quality of learning remain important considerations in the country’s development.
Ezekwesili drew attention to the number of children excluded from formal education, stressing that national transformation requires individuals and institutions to take responsibility for addressing the challenges confronting society.
She also urged Christians to demonstrate the values they profess through their conduct and contributions to their communities.
Her position suggests that Christian education should not be limited to preparing students for religious participation or academic achievement.
Instead, schools should equip learners with the knowledge, critical thinking abilities, ethical principles and practical capabilities required to participate meaningfully in national life.
This approach places Christian institutions within the wider conversation about Nigeria’s education system and the role of private and faith-based organisations in developing human capital.
For Nigeria, where educational outcomes are closely connected to economic opportunities, social development and leadership quality, the relationship between academic competence and moral responsibility remains particularly important.
However, translating these objectives into meaningful outcomes will require sustained attention to teaching quality, institutional accountability, school funding and the availability of educational resources.
Christian Schools Urged to Embrace Technology and Sustainable Funding
Another important issue raised during the summit was the need for Christian schools to adapt to technological developments and changing educational demands.
Emeritus Professor Michael Omolewa urged Christian educational institutions to embrace technology and artificial intelligence while developing sustainable funding strategies to improve educational standards.
His contribution highlighted the importance of preparing schools for an increasingly technology-driven educational environment.
Artificial intelligence and other digital technologies are changing how students access information, complete academic tasks and develop professional skills.
Educational institutions therefore face the challenge of incorporating technological advancements into teaching while ensuring that students develop critical thinking, responsible digital behaviour and the ability to distinguish reliable information from misinformation.
For Christian schools, this also raises questions about how technological development can be balanced with the moral and ethical principles that underpin their educational philosophy.
Omolewa further emphasised sustainable funding as an important requirement for improving educational standards.
Without reliable financial resources, schools may struggle to invest in modern learning facilities, recruit qualified teachers, maintain infrastructure and provide students with access to relevant educational tools.
The discussions therefore extended beyond religious instruction to address practical questions about school administration, institutional development and educational sustainability.
RCCG’s Role in Christian Education
The summit was organised by Christ the Redeemer’s School Management, the educational arm responsible for the Redeemed Christian Church of God’s formal school activities.
The organisation operates nursery and primary schools in Nigeria and other countries, making its educational activities part of the wider contribution of religious institutions to formal education.
The RCCG’s involvement in education reflects the historical role played by religious organisations in establishing schools and supporting learning opportunities in different communities.
However, the challenges facing modern education require institutions to continually review their teaching approaches, management structures and educational priorities.
The summit provided an opportunity for stakeholders to examine how Christian schools could strengthen their contribution to society while maintaining their religious identity.
The discussions also emphasised the importance of cooperation between parents, teachers, church leadership, school administrators and government institutions.
Why the Summit Matters
The calls by Adeboye and Ezekwesili highlight an important issue in education: academic achievement alone does not necessarily produce responsible citizens or ethical leaders.
A student may graduate with excellent qualifications but still lack the discipline, integrity and sense of responsibility required to make positive contributions to society.
This makes character development an important part of discussions about educational quality.
For Christian schools, the challenge is to ensure that their stated values are reflected in everyday teaching, institutional management and the behaviour encouraged among students.
The emphasis on parental involvement is equally important. Schools cannot independently determine the values children develop if there is little cooperation between teachers and families.
Similarly, churches and other religious institutions have responsibilities that extend beyond establishing educational facilities. They must also support effective teaching, responsible school administration and the development of children.
The summit’s discussions also have implications beyond Christian institutions.
The broader principles of integrity, competence, discipline, compassion and responsible citizenship are relevant to educational systems across different religious and cultural backgrounds.
For Nigeria, strengthening these qualities among young people could contribute to developing a workforce and future leadership capable of addressing the country’s social and economic challenges.
What Happens Next?
The summit provided a platform for education stakeholders to assess existing challenges in Christian education and consider practical interventions.
According to reports on the event, the gathering also produced an action plan intended to guide subsequent interventions, with progress expected to be monitored and evaluated at future meetings.
The effectiveness of the discussions will ultimately depend on how the recommendations are translated into practical changes across participating educational institutions.
These include stronger cooperation between parents and teachers, improved learning facilities, sustainable school funding, technology adoption and greater emphasis on character-based education.
For Adeboye and Ezekwesili, the central message was that preparing children for the future requires more than academic instruction.
It demands a collective commitment to developing individuals who combine knowledge and competence with integrity, discipline and a sense of responsibility.
The challenge now is to ensure that the principles discussed at the summit become part of everyday educational practice.
Weng Global – Stories beyond borders
Sources
- Punch Newspapers – Adeboye, Ezekwesili seek stronger values in Christian schools.
- Punch Newspapers – Raise children with godly values, Adeboye’s wife urges parents, churches.
- The Guardian Nigeria – RCCG holds Kingdom Education Summit November 5.
- Vanguard – No child is useless, every child is ordained for greatness — Foluke Adeboye.
- New Telegraph – Adeboye, Ezekwesili, others emphasise Kingdom Education.
