The Current State of Tertiary Education in Nigeria and the Next Big Thing in the 2023 General Election

 In reading Zainab Usman's book, "The Economic Diversification in Nigeria," I learned that the vast majority of the current ruling class and a larger coalition of non-ruling classes were fully sponsored by Nigeria's government to study for a post-secondary school diploma and university in the 1970s. This sponsorship pays for tuition, housing, personal expenses, and books. This suggests that their parents did not invest any money in their education. It is the government that has made them who they are today, especially the class that owns everything.


Furthermore, following graduation, these post-independence intellectuals have ready-made jobs in government agencies or private firms with a fantastic monthly paycheck. Every bit of the 1970s was enjoyed by most of the citizens who are making everything hard for us. In retrospect, the 1970s have given us hope and encouraged many of us to dream big, knowing that we have a country that will help nurture our talents and become the individuals we envisaged. We reasoned that even if the class who own everything restricted so many things to their advantage, at the very least we would be able to obtain a good education.


However, every individual born in the 1990s and 2000s was dealt a bad hand, through no fault of their own, by the group who benefitted from the fully-funded education scheme. They brazenly allowed tertiary institution staff strike to become one of the most serious concerns, jeopardizing the future of a generation.


Even worse, they consistently behave in opposition to what they say. They take great pleasure in gloating and seeming as though they care about the issues that keep us up at night while slyly chuckling behind our backs. Honestly, this saps my confidence every day. These nonchalant attitudes always give me reasons to give up hope in Nigeria. Because we have nowhere to take our cries. Nobody can see or hear the howling terror that gripped our hearts.


Similarly, it is heartbreaking to see how the government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have approached this issue. I strongly believe that in a situation like this, both the contending sides must compromise on some demands by noting what is at stake. Even if others claim that it's because most of their children aren't attending public universities. The political and business elites, whether you like it or not, have the resources to pay for their children's programs overseas, regardless of whether the local educational system is functioning or not. Hence, Don't pay attention to where they take their kids to study. Consider how you may contribute to a better future by voting for the right reasons. This is how you should think.


Nonetheless, I assert that the main reason they are so casually making quality education unavailable to the rest of us is that they are afraid that if the class who own nothing acquires quality education and can see through the lies, they will rebel against the system that has subjected them to suffer endlessly. This is the case. This is their timeless creed that if we let the vast majority under the food chain pyramid understand how things operate at the top they are more likely to subdue us. The truth is what it is. 


For this reason, I think the message is unequivocal as we head into the 2023 general election. Though, if you wish to remain elusive about the future you want your kids to inherit, this is just the beginning of the game that has no end. So I want to encourage you to look at the bigger picture rather than the short-term gains. As you may know, affliction knows no boundary. And it is in your hands to calm the whirlwind and help create a future that works for every Nigerian including the very few at the top. As Nelson Mandela said, “A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community  lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of." The 2023 election is an opportunity to help make that dream come true.


Let us make 2023 a watershed moment in Nigeria's rebirth. Let us vote for people who prioritize the pain of the vast majority of the population. It is important to understand that if we can get a good education, the rest of our problems will be fixed. I mean, if we have so many individuals in most of our decision-making rooms who have Nigerians at heart, they can help give birth to policies that work for everyone. This is how nations thrive. Because every citizen is aware of his actions' short to long-term consequences.


These are the choices we have; It is in your hands.


Finally, this is what I have for you today. Have a great day.

Comments

  1. Kudos, Eddy.

    This is a great article that is worth sharing

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your article was insightful and indeed eye opening.

    ReplyDelete

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