Nigeria, Dec. 18 -- One of the challenges facing education in Nigeria is, among other issues, policy somersaults which, in most cases, come with changes in government, depending on the political party holding power at the centre. Even divisive political issues, such as regional conclaves, affect the national discourse on education. But to subject what ordinarily should be a uniting force, determined by professionals and stakeholders, to frequent changes is to weaken the only thing that can liberate the mind and level the haves with the have-nots.

Without consistency, robust policy sustainability and functionality spanning decades, progress can only be in fits and starts. When education and educational policy initiatives suffer this fate,...