Veteran educationist Mrs. Uzorechi Faith Oluwaluyi has celebrated five decades of impactful service in Nigeria’s education sector, urging the government to increase investment in education and offer greater support to teachers and school proprietors.
The event marked Oluwaluyi’s remarkable journey from 1975 to 2025 — a career defined by resilience, faith, and a deep commitment to learning. Fondly called “Mummy Perfect Praise” by her students and colleagues, she described her journey as one guided by perseverance and divine grace.
> “I am a product of God’s grace. I came from a broken home and was denied access to secondary education. But my grandmother believed in me and kept encouraging me,” she said.
Recalling her early teaching days, Oluwaluyi shared that her career began in an empty classroom — without a single pupil. Undeterred, she continued showing up and teaching daily until her first student arrived.
Starting as a Grade III teacher in the era when student-teachers were government-sponsored, she was first posted to Ibadan but later reassigned to Akure. There, she taught briefly before founding her own school.
> “At first, I had no pupils. I would dress up and teach an empty class,” she recounted. “One day, God told me to reduce the school fees. Soon after, a woman brought her child, and within weeks, I had about fifty pupils.”
Today, her institution, Perfect Praise Schools, located in Adigun Famubode Olawaiye Estate, Isheri Olowora, Lagos, has grown to accommodate over 700 students and 57 teachers. The school provides crèche, primary, and secondary education and has been accredited to conduct WAEC and NECO examinations since 2017.
Reflecting on changes in Nigeria’s education system, Oluwaluyi noted the shift from chalkboards and strict age limits to a more flexible, technology-driven approach. While acknowledging progress, she emphasized the need for deeper government involvement to improve quality and standards.
> “The government should not just focus on taxing private schools. They need to revisit schools, encourage teachers, and review new curriculum changes carefully before implementation,” she advised.
She further called for government support for school owners to help regulate tuition fees and make education more affordable.
On the changing role of parents, Oluwaluyi expressed concern over declining discipline and parental engagement.
> “Parents must take responsibility for their children. Nowadays, some even attack teachers for correcting pupils. In the past, discipline and standards mattered,” she lamented.
At 73, Oluwaluyi remains active in her school community. Recognized by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs as one of Nigeria’s Notable Women, she is also a member of the Red Cross Society and a businesswoman. She credits her vitality to healthy living, regular exercise, and continuous interaction with her students.
Married to Abiodun Olushola Oluwaluyi, an estate surveyor, she is blessed with children and grandchildren, many of whom — like countless others — have benefited from her scholarship initiatives.
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