to access full paper in the following link: http://iiste.org/Journals/index.php/DCS/article/view/26901/28104This is a library–based research paper that explored problems facing African education systems in the 21st century and how to address these challenges. It is almost six decade since first African country received its independence from colonial masters but African education systems are still ineffective and pupils are not in schools and those in schools some are graduating without basic literacy skills of writing, reading and doing simple numeracy. The findings indicated that African education systems has a lot structural problems such as policy issues, management problems, poor curriculum, lack of funding and ‘political will’ to improve education system. This study provide some suggestions on how to reform African education systems so as foster the skills development for the 21 century citizens.