The education sector in Nigeria has numerous challenges. There is impunity at all levels of governance. Discipline is very important in attaining any significant achievement in human organisation.
Nigeria is at a cross road where instead of our present educational system help to propel us forward in development, we face a gloomy picture of decay because of wrong ideas and teachings that made “self” instead of the “society” a centre of development. The over-development of “self” in positive ways would not have harmed the nation but the greed attached to “self-development” has.
There are supervisory bodies (school boards, governing councils, committees on education, science, health, technology etc.) set up to monitor growth and development of education in our schools and institutions of higher education.
Some members of such supervisory bodies are generally uninformed of their duties, and responsibilities attached to their offices. Some work very hard for excellence while some see being in such bodies as opportunities to ‘make it’.
Projects meant to be supervised by their supervisory bodies become ‘projects’ they execute with nothing to show for it at the end of the day. Even the funds for execution of projects are usually thought to be ‘money for sharing’. Deceit, insincerity and abuse of office are rampant. Harassment of ‘those not playing ball’ is the order of the day. Corruption is an emergency to be tackled sincerely in Nigeria.
Corruption in my view is responsible for intolerance we now witness in crises emanating from differences in political persuasions, religious bigotry and ethnic backgrounds. We all need to live together in peace and harmony for development to occur.
Honesty, hard work and expression of all good values that we used to honour in the old days and even taught as Civics should be brought back as attributes of good citizens, not the acquisition of wealth by any means that are not decent and honourable.
There is unbridled and reckless display of wealth, which should have been directed to productive ventures in health, education and agriculture. There should also be a workable code of conduct amongst various professional groups – teachers, judges, doctors, civil servants etc. Monies are recklessly spent in public places to show off. This behaviour is not good for the nation as it sends wrong signals to our youths.
Education is a tool for development if properly handled from childhood to adulthood through various systems – primary, secondary and tertiary levels. The ideas and ways of nation building are known by many Nigerians. The implementation of noble ideas often fails, hence chaos in our societies. We should pay attention to the implementation of good ideas if they are to be useful for positive change in Nigeria.
Character building must accompany any form of learning for products of such institutions to be relevant to society development. We Nigerians must re-assure ourselves that we can rebuild our societies by refocusing our values on positive and virtuous traits.
The issue of leadership needs to be reassessed and reappraised in Nigeria. Our leaders over the years have failed woefully in providing good and effective leadership and appropriate policy directions for the relevant sectors, education inclusive.
I desire to see a Nigeria that is in the forefront of scientific and technological achievements that will advance the standard of living of Nigerians. A country with proud and cohesive people and where appropriate values and attention are placed on key sectors such as education, health, human rights and security by government.
The investment in these key areas and in particular, the educational sector, will go a long way in bringing a future and a hope for this generation and future generations.
