Nigerian educational sector and its compounding mess

Adeniran Stephen Tolulope 

When it comes to being educated, though different ways have existed and still exist, one has been the most common way; the WESTERN EDUCATION, which has always been referred to as the best way of being educated. Western Education entails being taught in a school, apart from that, as some would say, it is the best way to succeed.  

The current situation facing the whole education sector might be, in some cases, rendering the above statement an understatement. Whether it is the best legacy or the best way to success, it seems not to be correct at some point. Why? Recent activities of Nigerians have made it seems that there is an alternative to this way to succeed in life without being educated in Schools, most especially tertiary institutions. Many students now engage in some kind of business alongside their academics. In fact, many are motivated or intimidated to have the same mindsets. Some were pressurized when they find their friends wearing good clothes and driving the latest cars, after finally making money.  

The fear of being jobless after Graduating from University has made some students engage themselves in several kinds of online businesses and handiwork which might be a distraction to some students’ academics. Although, we could assert the fact that engaging in these endeavors are reasonable thoughts and mindsets but the effect may later have a great consequence on the student’s academic lives unless such student happens to be a jack of all trades. Even graduates, afterward, are found carrying their certificates up and down, without getting jobs. They eventually laid their hands on some kind of petty work, like bike-riding (Popularly known as Okada [in Yoruba]), tailor, hairdresser, barbing and so on. Instead of learning in Universities and eventually laying their hands on all these petty works, some Secondary school finalists would rather change their minds and learn the works after graduating from secondary school. 

Condition of the places where students learn would even coldhearted many students from coming to classes. Many of the lecture theaters are not well equipped with learning materials. In a class of 300 students, who are expected to be in a lecture theater that can only contain 200 students, some of the chairs have spoilt and the rest are even occupied by 2 students each, but still students are standing on their feet to receive lectures. Of course, some students won’t be happy or ready to be in their class any longer. Laboratories? Don’t even mention the ones that are now shattered. The well-maintained ones are equipped but with old apparatuses. Some of the apparatuses have turned into generational apparatuses, which are still being used after 40-50 years of being in the laboratory. You will be shocked after seeing the name written to identify the GRIFFFIN D.C. AMPLIFIER AND ELECTROMETER in the Physics Laboratory of OAU. You would finally agree that the apparatus was bought when OAU was the former name, UNIFE, because the ‘UNIFE’ was comfortably inscribed on it.  

A Walk into the building of the Department of Physical and Health Education, you would look with pity at the condition of the indoor gymnasium pitch. The water droplet passing through tiny holes in the roofs have turned the floor into a spoilt one. In fact, during rainfall, you would have to tip on your toe, because you would fear the spilling of water on your body. Who would want to practice sports in a place like this? No one would, of course. In fact, students training at that point in time would have to stop whatever they’ve been doing on the indoor pitch as a result of the rainwater.  

These situations have questioned the faithfulness and competency of the Federal Government and its officials. We could say some of these governments are trying in some places, but not absolutely. At some point, the federal government has failed to fulfill its promises to ensure Nigeria’s Education Sector is competing with its counterparts in the world. As an institution meant for a government whose head is the Visitor to the University, does it even sound well that the Senate building in the University is almost at the verge of dilapidating? Not to talk of other buildings. Should we expect that after another decade, the new Senate Building of Obafemi Awolowo University is still under construction? 

Amidst all, who would have thought the action of Academic Staff Union of Universities was wrong if Federal Government has tried its best to fulfill all the promises the officials made during their campaigns? None. Every single person began to blame ASUU for the long period of strike action, because the Federal Government made everyone believe that they’ve answered ASUU’s demands, by signing ASUU’s Counterparts, NAMDA and CONUA. Does that seem to be the next solution? Meanwhile one of these counterparts has always been crying out to the Federal Government after every month’s ending. 

The Government, in its bid to fulfill all these promises they are making during elections, should make sure there are jobs for graduates, it may seem impossible or difficult, but partnership with other private institutions, companies, enterprises, other governmental and non-governmental agencies, the federal government can get it done. 

Adeniran Stephen Tolulope is a Student of Obafemi Awolowo University and a student journalist. He can be reached through sensiblepta@gmail.com.