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Resetting the Falling Standards of Education in Nigeria: Addressing the Challenges and Embracing the Future

Education reform in Nigeria
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Sonny Iroche calls for urgent education reforms in Nigeria, addressing declining standards, strikes, and funding crises to secure a brighter future.

 

 

On Wednesday, October 9, 2024, Sonny Iroche, the keynote lecturer at the University of Nigeria’s 64th Founders’ Day celebration, delivered an impassioned address on the critical need for reform in Nigeria’s educational system.

Speaking before an esteemed gathering of faculty, students, and alumni in Nsukka, Iroche highlighted the alarming decline in educational standards and urged immediate action to restore Nigeria’s academic excellence.

 

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Iroche, who is a proud alumnus of the university, reflected on the institution’s rich history, noting its pivotal role in post-war recovery and the vision of its founder, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe.

He pointed out the contrast between the university’s proud past and the current challenges it faces, underlining the need for a national conversation on education reform.

The keynote lecture, titled “Resetting the Falling Standards of Education in Nigeria: Addressing the Challenges and Embracing the Future,” sought to examine both the root causes and potential solutions to the crisis facing Nigerian universities.

 

The Decline in Education Standards

The decline of public sector education in Nigeria was the central theme of Iroche’s address.

He called out successive governments for their failure to implement meaningful reforms, citing outdated curricula, overcrowded classrooms, and underfunded institutions.

He expressed concern over the low allocation of funds to the education sector, which has left many universities struggling to provide basic amenities, let alone foster innovation.

Iroche also decried the stagnation in educational policy, particularly the centralisation of university admissions through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

While initially intended to streamline the process, Iroche argued that the quota system it enforces has created inequities in the system.

The policy, he suggested, has led to a situation where deserving students are denied access to universities due to arbitrary admission thresholds.

He called for a more transparent and merit-based admissions process, empowering individual institutions to set their own criteria.

 

The Strain of Inadequate Funding

Iroche highlighted the growing crisis of underfunding in Nigerian universities.

Despite some recent improvements, the proportion of the national budget allocated to education remains woefully inadequate.

In 2024, only 7.9% of Nigeria’s budget was dedicated to education—far below global standards.

The lack of investment has meant that universities are unable to maintain infrastructure or invest in research, further exacerbating the disparity in educational quality between Nigeria and more developed nations.

The funding gap is particularly troubling given that Nigerian academics are among the least paid in the country, which has led to repeated strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

These strikes, which disrupt academic schedules for months at a time, have become a regular feature of Nigeria’s academic landscape.

Iroche emphasized that the government must take immediate steps to address these funding issues to prevent further deterioration of the education system.

 

Addressing Misconduct and Promoting Accountability

Another critical issue raised by Iroche was the widespread misconduct within Nigerian universities, particularly the prevalence of unethical practices such as “sex for marks” and financial bribery for academic advantages.

These scandals not only tarnish the reputation of Nigerian universities but also discourage talented students from pursuing their education.

As a solution, Iroche proposed the introduction of anonymous marking systems, similar to those used in Western universities.

This system, he argued, would help protect students from exploitation and ensure that academic integrity is upheld.

By adopting digital platforms like the Autonomous Students Assessment Management System (SAMS), Iroche believes that Nigeria can modernise its academic assessments and eliminate opportunities for exploitation.

 

The Way Forward: Educational Reforms and Innovation

Looking forward, Iroche stressed the importance of adapting Nigeria’s education system to the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, driven by advancements in Artificial Intelligence and STEM education.

He called for a comprehensive review of university curricula and urged the federal government to increase investment in education, stressing that without adequate funding, Nigeria risks falling further behind in global competitiveness.

The educational challenges facing Nigeria are complex and multifaceted, but Iroche’s lecture called for an urgent national response to reset the falling standards of education.

He reiterated that education is the key to unlocking the nation’s future, quoting Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe’s belief that “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”

In his concluding remarks, Iroche appealed to the audience to embrace reform, not just in universities but across the entire educational system.

He urged stakeholders to advocate for policies that will revitalise Nigeria’s educational institutions and ensure that they are capable of producing graduates who are not only academically competent but also equipped to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

As Iroche’s lecture concluded, it was clear that while the challenges are significant, there is hope for a brighter future if the nation’s leaders, educators, and students come together to address these issues with urgency and purpose.

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