The Nigerian Government has been urged to bring music education back to schools to encourage the discovery of young and raw talents.
The call was made by the Director of music, Nigerian Air Force, Wing Commander Ayodeji Ayanbode, during the just concluded Abuja National Music Competition.
Ayanbode, who was part of the panel of judges at the 5th edition of the Abuja National Music Competition, said promotion and discovery of talents, especially among school children, should not be left for individuals and private sector alone.
He said, “The government needs to do more to promote music in our schools, it should not be left for individuals and private sector alone. Our being here today is a testament that we value music.
“I commend the organisers of this music competition because they have put in their time, resources and energy to bring out the best in these children. We need more of this kind of competition so that raw talents of school children in music could be discovered.”
Organiser of the event, Mrs Nana Gbolahan, a creative and strategic business leader, career advisor and consultant, said the music competition was established to bring music back to Abuja.
She said music is no longer in the curriculum of a lot of schools, a development which discourages students who intend to go into music.
“The competition is to keep music alive in our schools because it plays a key role in our lives. The National Music Competition was established to bring music back to Abuja.
“We noticed that a lot of schools no longer have music in their curriculum and this often discourage those who intend to go into music. We wanted to ensure that we keep music alive in our schools, especially with the fact that music plays a key role in enhancing the intelligence of students.
“Music plays a big role in calming nerves and it’s a unifying factor regardless of tribe or tongues and we just feel this is a fantastic way to unify us as Nigerians and encourage those who are into music. Music is important in our schools and we call on the government to bring music back to our schools.
“Government is aware because last year when we did the 4th edition, we had people from the Ministry of Education who came and in this year’s edition, we wrote to them, unfortunately, they were unable to come. I think they have another event somewhere else,” Gbolahan said.
In the same vein, she called on corporate bodies to partner with the organization to discover music talents in schools and bring them to limelight.
The Abuja National Music Competition is dedicated to reviving the authenticity of Nigerian music by showcasing exceptional vocal and instrumental talent from primary and secondary schools across the country. Now in its 5th edition, the event aims to discover, support, and celebrate young musicians who demonstrate outstanding artistic mastery.
With the theme, ‘Take the Stage’, the 2025 edition emphasizes how healthy competition inspires creativity.
Participants benefit from professional mentorship, perform before an expert jury of renowned music professionals, and receive recognition and awards for their dedication and skill. The competition also serves as a platform for exposure, promoting music education and performance across Nigeria.
