The Nigerian Government has been urged to reintroduce music education in schools to foster the discovery of young talents across the country.

Wing Commander Ayodeji Ayanbode, Director of Music for the Nigerian Air Force, made this call during the recently concluded 5th edition of the Abuja National Music Competition. Ayanbode, who served as a judge at the event, emphasized that the responsibility of promoting and discovering musical talents among school children should not be left solely to individuals and the private sector.

"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," Ayanbode stated.

He commended the competition organizers for investing their resources and energy to showcase children's musical abilities, adding that "We need more of this kind of competition so that raw talents of school children in music could be discovered."

Reviving Music in Nigerian Education

Mrs. Nana Gbolahan, organizer of the event and a creative and strategic business leader, explained that the competition was established to revitalize music in Abuja, noting with concern that music has disappeared from many school curricula.

"The competition is to keep music alive in our schools because it plays a key role in our lives. We noticed that a lot of schools no longer have music in their curriculum and this often discourages those who intend to go into music," Gbolahan said.

She highlighted music's importance in enhancing students' intelligence, calming nerves, and serving as a unifying factor regardless of tribal differences. Gbolahan also revealed that while the Ministry of Education had been invited to the event, representatives were unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts.

"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," she added.

The organizer also called on corporate bodies to partner with the organization to discover musical talents in schools and bring them to the limelight.

About the Competition

The Abuja National Music Competition, now in its fifth year, is dedicated to reviving the authenticity of Nigerian music by showcasing exceptional vocal and instrumental talent from primary and secondary schools across the country.

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.