Documentary: Black governance; Problem of Nigerian Education from 1922 to 2022 (100yrs)
White education, a black illiteracy as a razor that slices the black skin with self hands. Education is as a razor given-to the blacks to sharpen mind. Ignorantly, the razor was used to sharpen their skin which make them bleed. The problem of Nigeria's Education is the mis -interpretation of the concept. Education which was created to sharpen the mind, sadly became a tool of pain when introduced to blacks.
The illiteracy of blacks made their skins sharpened instead, thereby leaving their minds untrimmed as a result of that the skin is left bleeding with so much excruciating pains which is eventually becoming unbearable with nonstop tears flowing down their cheeks. Indeed, this illiteracy accompanied with anguish has led to death unending.
The aftermath of the pre-colonial administration by the whites which is supposed to be the beginning of a new hope ; although the unusual amalgamation, illiteracy, selfishness are the traits of blacks. Before agitation for independence in 1960, some Nigerians have been enforced and encouraged to know knowledge in the school of learning abroad.
The whites cherish and share knowledge to continue trimming their minds while away from home, the idea founded the book club which was upgraded to college and later to the University of Ibadan, the first Nigeria University in 1948. This served as a privilege to other Nigerians who could not travel abroad to study. Some years later, the agitation of the independent struck out the whites which made them to hand over all the power to the blacks in order to self oversee the affairs.
However, talking about the outcome of academic history of Nigerian higher institutions, this year 2022 marks exactly a century of woe in the Nigerian Educational history. Analyzing the emergence of Higher institution in Nigeria is traced back to when the Nigerians started schooling abroad to the launch of ‘book club’ in the ancient city of Ibadan.
Prior to this development, only a few Nigerians were bestowed opportunity to be educated in the western world, most of the former were loyal slaves who had found favour before their British lords.
Sadly, unionism in Universities have been in existence since the days of Ladipo Solanke. In August of 1925, Ladipo Solanke, a Nigerian law student, and Herbert Bankole-Bright, a Sierra Leonean doctor, founded the West African Students’ Union (WASU) in England.
The Union is Known in history for fighting against Segregation of Negroes in British colleges. Back then, free education came with several privileges like Free feeding, which launched the fact that all the Nigerian leaders today benefitted and enjoyed free feeding while in the tertiary institutions. Although, there was a touch of bias in the mode of food serving. The whites were served Turkey while the blacks were served with Chicken. To this end, the Union fought by protests for equal treatments between white and black students and they were answered.
What they protested for then is not up to two percent (2%) of what today's students protest for with the fear of getting shot by the government or discipline by the school management.
Coming down to Nigeria, before the British handed power over, Wole Soyinka and others in a bid to replicate WASU movement, formed a Student Cult to curb whatever form of oppression against Students. At this time of British management, the University authorities were in support of the students freedom and as such did not oppose. However, things took a turn for the worse after the handing over at the beginning of Nigeria's liberation from colonist. Blacks are the enemies of the blacks! This statement became credible to our Educational system, when Nigerian leadership took over the University's administration. During this era, Whenever students protest, against administration, the management feels threatened and take swift action in sanctioning those involved further making life miserable.
Just like a child that is afraid of being punished unnecessarily for doing right, the once enthusiastic school cult that stood as a voice for students, went into hiding, for the fear of unjust sanctions from the University's management gradually evolved into a secret cult.
We will recall that although Education was free alongside it's entitlements, WASU protested for trivial issues such as feeding and was swiftly answered . Sadly today, students are fighting for better education but are being denied of it despite the fact that it is now paid for.
Before independence, the administration of the British, had every system in the country, including the educational system operating smoothly but today, they have in a way or the other depreciated in the hands of the blacks.
All Campus Show reports that those currently manipulating academics in Nigeria, had free education with same free privileges like right to books, feeding etc. But they have largely neglected the Education sector amongst others.
In other words, taking a look at the downline of Federal University graduates in Nigeria, we discovered that majority of them battled ASUU strike in their time. Academic strike has been seen as a yearly event, this year's strike commenced on February, 2022 as a warning strike but has however, metamorphosed into a full blown strike keeping public universities shut down for almost a year, even in 2020.
According to report, Part of the demands the union requests for includes: funding for rejuvenation of public universities; payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA)/Earned Allowances (EA); payment of salary shortfalls; stop the proliferation of state universities by governors; setting up of Visitation Panels.
Others are : renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement; adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as a payment platform for university lecturers and payment of withheld salaries and non-remittance of check – off dues.
The strike leaves students and Nigerians confused as to when it will all end. Even if it finally ends, one is not sure when it will surface again. So what then, could be the lasting solution to this reoccurring dilemma?
All Campus show correspondent interview Professor Osaretin Benson Osadalor, former VC of Ambrose Ali University and UNIBEN Professor in History when asked his opinion about the preferred solution to end ASUU strike, Prof. Osadolor said “Nigeria has to adopt the UK and USA models of university education. No more, no less.” If the persistent strike and the substandard must be eliminated.
Ojo Busuyi Jobus, the Publisher of All Campus Show and Editor in Chief Makia News said Privatization is a simple and transparent formula that will eradicate persistent strikes and long suffered academic substandard.
According to Jobus: “Prior to the time of Nigeria's independence, there were no unions because they were treated right. But with the black administration, things have gotten out of hand. Incapability in governance has led into the birth of several unions and unending conflicts between government and the people today. According to Abraham Lincoln's definition of democracy. People are fighting people that is Government is fighting Government, and that means there is division currently in the country, instead of the Government fighting for people, Different unions are fighting for themselves. Whenever there is a Union there is a problem. The maltreatment in the education system led to the formation of ASUU in 1978.”
“In Nigeria, the Standard of Education has dropped to zero percent due to the absence of the colonist (whites).
Imagine in our higher institutions, some lecturers are still using outdated curricular to lecture students. Although the lecturers are not to blame, because they are not appreciated and well encouraged. it is highly sad that despite the level of their academic qualifications, these intelligent individuals are being harassed like this. A previous research showed that Just 38% of the population is learned. Little wonder the society now bestow less value on education and also defines why people should go to school- The Certificate.
For instance an intelligent individual who is not academically certified is termed incompetent when compared to the Certified one.”
“Talking about privatization, over the years we have seen some major government firms like NEPA and NITEL being privatized, even NNPC, which is a major industry was recently privatized. This was because Federal government could not properly oversee their efficient existence. These companies being piloted by private individuals has further amplified their services. Over the years we have noticed a huge difference between the two (government and private ) administrations.
Moreover, these alarming issues revolving around the Education sector has gotten to the stage where it ought to be privatized after all, those firms privatized are flourishing. We can see that the privatization of Nitel has amplified the communication industry in the country and even that of the banking sector, just to mention a few. So it wouldn't be different when Educational sector is privatized”
In conclusion, Nigeria young ones and students which are seen as the best in the world should keep giving their best to self training as the government had failed woefully. Remember that according to Abraham Lincoln, we are the government, let us hope to make it work again.