During a prestigious ceremony at the Yaoundé Hilton Hotel, attended by government officials, civil society leaders, diplomats, traditional rulers, and other prominent figures, Professor Nalova Lyonga, the Minister of Secondary Education, was awarded the “Best Minister of 2023” award.
The accolade, conferred by the Cameroon English Newspaper Publishers Association (CENPA), followed a rigorous selection process. The final decision was made by a distinguished jury that included CENPA president and Guardian Post Editor-in-Chief, Ngah Christian; international lawyer and anti-corruption advocate, Barrister Akere Muna; Paramount Ruler of the Bafaw, King of Kumba, and Senator Nfon Mukete IV Ekoko, who served as the jury secretary; and civil society leader and Executive Director of the NGO Reach Out, Esther Omam.
The jury praised Professor Lyonga for her “sterling pedagogic achievements and first-class overhaul, professionalization, and alignment of Cameroon’s secondary education sector with contemporary practices.” Guests at the event lauded her accomplishments, emphasizing that the award was well-deserved given the significant progress she has made in modernizing secondary education in Cameroon.
Though Professor Lyonga was unable to attend the ceremony due to a prior engagement with schools outside of Yaoundé, she expressed her gratitude in a letter addressed to jury president Barrister Akere Muna. “I am thoroughly overwhelmed by this great nomination,” she wrote, thanking the jury for recognizing her efforts at the Ministry of Secondary Education.
Since her appointment in 2018, Professor Lyonga has spearheaded numerous reforms that have garnered widespread acclaim. Her initiatives have significantly enhanced the credibility of exams and brought a new level of professionalism to the sector. Many believe that President Paul Biya made an excellent choice in appointing her as Minister of Secondary Education, and she is now regarded as one of the government’s most effective leaders.
Professor Lyonga’s tenure has been marked by her commitment to improving hygiene and discipline in schools, restoring the credibility of exams, and combating corruption. She has also worked to ease the integration of teachers and has faced numerous challenges, including drug abuse and juvenile delinquency among students, with determination and collaborative problem-solving.
Her leadership has been particularly impactful in the fight against drug abuse in schools, where she has successfully engaged stakeholders and achieved notable results. She is also known for her “Seven Concepts in Education,” which have become instrumental in Cameroon’s secondary education system. These concepts include Operation Clean School, upholding education standards, ensuring exam credibility, promoting resilient innovation amid insecurity, driving vast and unending digitalization, and enforcing order in the management of Parent-Teacher Association funds.
Despite her many accomplishments, Minister Nalova Lyonga continues to work tirelessly to build a better nation. She remains focused on improving working conditions, enhancing family benefits, and addressing other key issues. Widely regarded as one of President Biya’s strongest and most loyal supporters, her achievements stand out in the current government renowned for its mediocrity, raising questions about how she manages to consistently deliver such remarkable results.
