Investing in Nigerian youths: Education reconsidered

Underinvestment in education started during the colonial era as there were few institutions in Nigeria. At the time of Nigeria’s independence in 1960, majority of those classified as literate were those who merely attended primary school or educated in Arabic studies which were irrelevant in industry but perhaps, useful in the realm of religion. Thank goodness, the situation has changed significantly today, as many Nigerian universities can boast of thousands of students and hundreds of professors in several fields of specialization including science, engineering and technology. Unfortunately, Nigeria is not yet categorized as an industrialized nation. What a pity!

Why is Nigeria not categorized as an industrialized nation? Since May 1970, when the Federal Government (FG) under former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, came up with the first science and technology policy in Nigeria, science has not been funded significantly to solve the problems of the poor. The nation has not been working effectively on technology that will transform our society and the economy. Also, there are insufficient innovations that could make positive impact on the lives of citizens.

But then Nigeria is not deficient in religious affairs as there are numerous churches and mosques dotted across most streets of the country. The nation only lacks sufficient employable youths with good character traits. I am very surprised that after almost six decades of independence, the FG is under pressure to either include or remove religious studies in secondary school curriculum at a time when experts and public affairs analysts are of the view that our youths should be given quality education that is pro industry.

The challenges of the education sector are beyond inclusion of religious studies in schools’ curriculum. The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has called for a ministerial retreat to address numerous challenges in Nigeria’s education sector. How else can a keen observer measure the level of crisis in the nation’s education sector with an embarrassing 8.7 million children out of school as reported by United Nations Education, Social, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Where are these children? They are on Nigeria’s streets hawking pure water, begging for alms and food with bowls, while others are victims of forced labour in some homes or firms. When this large number of children are out of school, what does the future hold for them and the country?

I think the FG has realized that the attainment of quality education in Nigeria will give an implicit indication of its drive for technological development and ultimately economic growth. Education is the critical factor for improving the quality of people in general, and in particular, for developing new skills, cultural values, and behavioural pattern required in the industry. Once education is given the pride of place in our society, it would help build a peaceful nation. It is quality education that will empower our youths, and teach them how to think thoroughly and analytically. That is why Nigeria has to invest in our youths in order to build intelligence plus character.

With volatility, uncertainty, and complexity in the world, education has become a key determinant of development. Education is not just good for our youths; it can make a lasting difference in their lives. There is much to be understood about what makes development work, what makes some countries succeed, and others not. All state governments must empower children of poor parents who cannot pay for formal education by providing vocational training so that they can acquire skills that will make them to be independent instead of begging alms on streets across Nigeria. To make this suggestion effective, the FG must resurrect existing population control policy which stipulates that no family should have more than four children. Vocational training will remove these children from our streets, and consequently, crime rates in the country will reduce.

In order to invest in our youths, national and state assemblies must pass laws making vocational training compulsory for all children who are not interested in formal education or those whose parents cannot afford secondary education. There must be a well-crafted scheme to prove that the parents of those to be trained are poor. All state governments must pay for vocational training. We should not regard Nigeria as a hopeless case because states cannot pay salaries of workers and pensioners.

Some countries referred to as Asian Tigers were in a similar hopeless situation about 40 years ago. An example is South Korea which had no natural resources. At that time, corruption in South Korea was at its peak. And the nation was burdened with Confucian ethic “that taught South Koreans that men do not work, but instead they wear white clothes, and grow long finger nails to demonstrate their disdain for manual labour”. It is the same Confucian ethic that explains not just the success of South Korea but also, other countries in East Asia. South Korea systematically educated its people, and did not stop at secondary level. Today, about 90 percent of South Koreans have some degree in tertiary education which to my understanding makes it one of the highest in the world. That is why South Koreans are able to assimilate and effectively diffuse technology.

Nigeria can achieve the same feat provided policy makers get their priorities right, detach themselves from religious sentimentalities and corruption in all matters relating to the education of our youths. While I concede that primary education is very important, it is critical to have qualified teachers who will inspire our youths to go beyond basic education. I am aware resources are limited, but we need to balance our priorities and remove parochial interests from the nation’s education sector. If the FG does not invest in education through provision of infrastructure and funds for research, Nigeria may be condemned to impoverishment and low level of development. I am sure this is not the desire of those in the government, as Nigeria battles with economic recession.

MA Johnson