Prof. Chris Abakare, a Lecturer at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has lamented the state of the country’s education sector, describing it as far from where it ought to be.
Abakare made assertion in an interview to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
Nigeria gained independence from British colonial rule on Oct. 1, 1960.
He highlighted the strides and setbacks in the country’s education system, calling for urgent reforms to ensure quality learning for future generations.
He also highlighted the disparity between the global success of individual Nigerians and the systemic failures within the country’s education system.
According to him, the systemic challenges had continue to hinder national development.
“Collectively, Nigeria’s education sector is not where it is supposed to be, but individually, we are there already.
“When you go to the Ivy League universities and other top institutions around the world, you see Nigerians excelling. But coming back home, the story is different,” he said.
Abakare pointed to chronic underfunding of the education sector by successive governments as a major challenge.
He said that Nigeria has consistently failed to meet the United Nations’ recommended 26 per cent budgetary allocation for education.
“The highest Nigeria has ever allocated to education is eight per cent,” he added.
Abakare also raised concerns about the longstanding grievances of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), warning of another potential strike if unresolved issues persist.
He said: “We have a situation where a 16-year-old agreement between the government and university lecturers has not been implemented.
“Lecturers have been on the same salary scale for 16 years. That kills morale and is driving many academics abroad in search of better opportunities.
“Also the loss of young academic talent, where universities traditionally retain their best graduates as future lecturers, but that trend is declining.
“These days, those brilliant students are also leaving the country. It does not speak well of our education system.”
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However, Abakare believes there is still hope in spite of the bleak outlook.
“At 65, it is not yet Uhuru for our education sector. But if lecturers are motivated, that motivation will trickle down to the growth of students. Motivation is the key.
“there is an urgent need for reforms to halt the sector’s steady decline,” he said.
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