Joseph Onuoha, a professor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), has said that the Nigeria educational assessment system which focuses only on the head instead of the whole human being had led to the nation’s backwardness in social development.
Onuoha said Nigeria was in its state because of the deficit in educational system which did not improve its students’ social development capacity.
Onuoha said this in Nsukka on Thursday while delivering the University’s 219th inaugural lecture titled ‘Where? Why? and How? Understanding the Socio-economic Problems of Nigeria.’
Onuoha, a lecturer in the Department of Social Science Education, UNN, said that education, which is the bedrock of development, is a failure if it does not engender social development.
“Overhauling the Nigerian educational system would make graduates job creators instead of job seekers.
“Nigeria needs value reorientation as people now believe that education is a scam because graduates go about looking for white-collar jobs that are not there,” he said.
He also said that many of the country’s critical socioeconomic problems were man-made and could be overcome if confronted with right solutions and right attitude.
The don emphasised overhauling of the education system to nurture innovation and creativity, and using technology to optimise governance and accountability in the education sector.
“Harnessing human capital development and advancing public private partnership (PPP) in education can be a starting point. To achieve this, all hands in the country must be on deck,” he said.
He also noted that the country was at a crossroads facing myriads of socioeconomic challenges that had hindered national development as a result of corruption.
“The prevalence of corruption, insecurity, economic instability, moral decadence has significantly affected our national existence, including education,” he said.
According to him, the country was where it was partly because of failure of the education system which remained the bedrock of national development in any country.
“Education is the bedrock of national development in any country yet education in our country has been marred by systemic failures.
“Education in our country is characterised by outdated curriculum, poor teaching methods, poor assessment methods, poor reading habits, poor infrastructure as well as poor salary and welfare of teachers,” he said.
The inaugural lecturer noted that for Nigeria to exit its present education problems, the sector must produce graduates equipped with the required skills, values and knowledge necessary for national development and growth.
“To achieve this, I suggest we use the ONUOHA model for sustainable development.
“Overhauling the education system, Nurturing innovation and creativity, Utilising technology in education, Optimising governance and accountability in education, Harnessing human capital development and Advancing Public Private Partnership (PPP) in education,” he said
Onuoha expressed appreciation to the management of UNN for finding him worthy to deliver the 219th inaugural lecture of the university.
He expressed special thanks to God who made him to be alive.; his wife and mother who he said had always supported and prayed for him.
He extended his appreciation to his faculty and department as well as all and sundry who contributed in one way or the other to make the event successful.
Earlier in his remarks, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of UNN, Prof Oguejiofo Ujam said that the inaugural lecture of the University remained an avenue to educate the university community and general public on vital issues.
The VC, who was represented by Prof Chike Ofuebe, the Chairman, UNN Senate Ceremonial Committee, described Onuoha as an erudite and intellectual giant who had contributed immensely in his chosen field of specialisation.
The highlight of the occasion was the presentation of a certificate of Inaugural Lecture to Prof Onuoha as the 219th Inaugural Lecturer of UNN.
