Education

By Garba Sidi

It’s well-known that the Jigawa State government paid half of the registration fee to its indigenes each year. That’s how any governor in this state inherited it and continued it. Still, unfortunately, the present governor, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, came with some injustice in this matter of scholarship. For three years, the money has not been paid.

The government conducted a screening exercise on 28/01/2021. However, after five months, they selected only three schools within the state and disbursed the money to some students, not all and stop till now. Then, they went on to the media and announced that they gave scholarships to all Jigawa state students. It is an injustice.

Sadly all these injustices that happened, neither the Jigawa state assembly nor the commissioner of education uttered a word about the matter. While students are suffering from poverty, and some even dropped their studies because of registration fees. Those House of Assembly members and commissioner of education are busy taking their children abroad to study in expensive schools.

Unfortunately, it looks like there is no Students Union Government in this state. This is because the Union has failed to discharge its responsibility to fight for students’ welfare. Unfortunately, the acting president of this Union is busy travelling from Kano to Katsina, and others state fulfilling the mission of another group he joined some time ago.

Days ago, leaders of Jigawa state schools’ chapters visited the state capital, Dutse. They met with Special Advisor on students matter on this issue of scholarship. His reaction was, if students protest, the government will not ever give scholarships to any indigenes of Jigawa state. That typically showed students have no freedom to struggle for their rights as the constitution of Nigeria gives to anybody.

May Allah bless us with good leaders.

Garba Sidi wrote from Jagawa State. He can be reached via sidihadejia@gmail.com.

By Muhammad Sabiu

In a report released by a Lagos-based research firm, SB Morgen, Bauchi is the state with the highest number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, with figures rising to 1,239,759.

Figures in the report have indicated that Katsina State is second to Bauchi, with about 873,633 out-of-school children, who might have been prevented from going to school due to so many reasons.

Bringing the above figures, SB Morgen discussed recent occurrences in Kaduna State, which came fifth on the list and where schools remain closed until further notice due to the rising rate of kidnappings and other security challenges in the state.

“The Kaduna State Government has said that all primary and secondary schools will remain closed until the security situation improves across the state,” SB Morgen wrote.

It’s now apparent that one of the major factors that hinder the progress of education in northern Nigeria is kidnapping, which is not quotidian in only Kaduna. Most northwestern states have been witnessing kidnap of students in their hundreds, which usually forces authorities to order the suspension of school activities “until further notice.”

Not only northwestern states, recently, Niger State in the north-central part of Nigeria saw students in their hundreds kidnapped from their school, with many still being held by their abductors.

Officials also lament the general backwardness of education in Nigeria as there are approximately over 10 million out-of-school kids.

The Minister of State, Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, was in June 2021 quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria as saying, “The current challenges affecting the Nigerian education system has left much to be desired, the system is characterised by high illiteracy level, infrastructural decay and deficits.”

“We have inadequate number of qualified teachers, inadequate infrastructural facilities/resources and poor funding,” he added.

The figures, which are said to have been sourced from the Federal Ministry of Education, are presented as follows in order of the size of the number of out-of-school kids:

BAUCHI: 1,239,759

KATSINA: 873,633

KANO: 837,479

KADUNA: 652,990

GOMBE: 567,852

KEBBI: 484,702

ADAMAWA: 483,702

NIGER: 478,412

OYO: 463,280

SOKOTO: 462,164

YOBE: 405,100

ZAMFARA: 383,952

BENUE: 383,022

TARABA: 338,975

BORNO: 266,178

OSUN: 260,222

PLATEAU: 258,256

LAGOS: 229,264

NASARAWA: 204,771

RIVERS: 196,581

A’ IBOM: 194,018

DELTA: 181,995

KOGI: 169,316

OGUN: 158,797

EBONYI: 151,000

KWARA: 141,325

CROSS RIVER: 140,944

IMO: 125,414

FCT: 121,587

ENUGU: 117,091

ONDO: 113,746

EKITI: 99,778

ANAMBRA: 92,332

BAYELSA: 86,778

ABIA: 86,124

EDO: 79,446

Looking at the above statistics, out of the first 15 states on the list, only one is in the southern part of the country: Oyo.

Therefore, this calls for more effort and attention of stakeholders to put their shoulder to the wheel to curb this problem of the rising number of out-of-school children.

By Abdelghaffar Amoka, PhD.

Have you ever wondered why I blink rapidly while talking to you sometimes? Welcome to my world, the world of stammerers. I realised I was a stammerer while growing up, and I tried to devise ways to handle it. It is there, but I think mine is not very chronic. I tried to adopt some steps to cope with it. For example, while in primary and secondary schools, I avoided asking questions in class. Though, considered a good student, I avoided getting involved in school debate competitions, etc. Until recently, I do not ask questions in large meetings and gatherings; I instead keep quiet. Sometimes, I wondered how my voice sounds to the hearing of the people. I was afraid of listening to my voice for fear of losing my words while talking, I tried to talk fast, and I got used to it.

I was in a lecture theatre teaching Physics sometime in 2007 or so and trying to explain a concept. Then I observed something strange after talking for a while, and I stopped. Everyone was looking at me. I was like, what is the problem? Then, one of the students said, “Sir! You can rap.” And, the students and I started laughing. I honestly didn’t realise I was talking that fast, and I was glad the student was bold enough to point that out.

I didn’t realise the challenges of stammering till sometime in 1986 (I was in Primary 6) when I had an issue with my classmate, who was also a family friend. We were called to narrate what happened, and I was so angry that I lost my words. The words got stuck and refused to come, so I could not tell my own side of the story. I opened my mouth several times, and the words refused to come. I find myself smiling each time I thought of that incident. I still find it unbelievable.

Stammerers in childhood are very concerned with other people’s opinions about them. In some cases, they fight to free themselves from bullying. They have difficulty in letting go of their speech. That introduces emotion into their character. Emotional responses to situations and events exist in most humans, but they are triggered more easily in stammerers. They have a great deal of misinformation about what constitutes acceptable speaking behaviour. It is seen as okay for someone else to speak forcefully and dynamically. Still, when the stammerer speaks with any aliveness in their voice, they are perceived as coming off too strong and too overpowering.

I have this colleague who always judges me before listening to me. He is always like: “Abdel, your problem is that you are too emotional”. To him, it is always my fault even though he was not there and emotions were not involved. Even at this, the passionate ones fight the frustrations and still want to be heard at all costs. 

Stammerers see life as a performance. This is related to their need to please others. They are afraid to make mistakes because of how they might be judged. That made it difficult for them to take up responsibility. Just like me, they run away from it. Even with all the emotions surrounding stammering, I hate to pick up a fight. Not for fear of getting beaten but as a child, I don’t want to get into a fight because I do not want to get into my dad’s trouble. As an adult, I don’t want to get into a row being a bodybuilder. I am not sure of what the built arm could do! So I express the way I feel, air my opinion, and it ends there.

Academia is a place that brings about all classes of people, and among them are stammerers. It is one unique society that brings together great minds. The beauty of academia is that there is always an idea to discuss with the great minds around you. While I was at NTNU, Trondheim as a research fellow, the research group members (Elkraft) come out to eat together during (lunch) break. The Professors, Research Fellows, and the PhD students of the research group eat together at the same table.

I initially don’t join them because I was not used to having lunch by 11 am, their lunch break. They expressed their displeasure not seeing me at the table, and I had to join their 11 am lunch. I use to make pancakes that I take out for lunch. I found eating together fun. That is the only time they discuss topics outside academic and research. And there is always something new to take away after lunch. That is the power of associating with great minds.

This quote is commonly attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt: “Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, and small minds discuss people. While the academia in Nigeria is blessed with some great minds, small minds also found their way to that society meant for great minds. Rather than discussing ideas, they make their colleagues their subjects of discussion.

For example, I know I am a stammerer, and I know I am naturally emotional. I know I talk forcefully with an accompanied facial expression. It is OK if you don’t like it. As a matter of fact, you don’t have to like it. But we should talk about it as colleagues if you don’t like it rather than making it a subject of discussion elsewhere. We also have cases of lecturers blackmailing their colleagues to younger colleagues and students. They find reasons to demonise them. Why getting involved in character assassination when you can easily reach out to the colleague to engage him. Your perception and what you heard about him maybe a misconception.

Dear colleagues in academia, you are working with people of various backgrounds and characteristics to pursue truth. We don’t have to like each other. We don’t have to be friends. But we must respect each other and work together to achieve the mission and vision of the university. That is the ultimate goal. Let’s engage ourselves with an open mind; society looks up to us to shape the world. Try to know a bit about your colleagues. Stammerers have difficulty in letting go, not just in their words but across the board. They have difficulty in letting go of what they feel and in what they are willing to risk. There are other people around you with other specific characteristics. You need to understand them.

To colleagues and friends with unique characteristics like stammerers, don’t give in to bullying and blackmailing at the workplace and everywhere. Believe in yourself and your capabilities. Side talks in a place like academia are disappointing, but never let it bother you. Please take it as a part of life. Don’t join words with small minds. Be the great mind that you are supposed to be.

Dr Abdelghaffar Amoka is a lecturer from the Department of Physics, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

By Najib Ahmad, PhD

Thanks to the existing curriculum in Nigerian schools (its directions, objectives, and preferences), students who wholly rely on this system hardly possess any tangible skill, which would prepare them to become self-directed or independent or job providers. They can also barely avoid queueing the assembly of youths whose over-dependence on the government-provided jobs is noticeable countrywide. Any thoughtful country that cannot provide jobs for its youth population knows the gravity of its future, which may be bleak. Fortunately, this is not a lonesome fight for Nigeria. It is a common challenge bedevilling the world today from the Far East, West to the far South Mediterranean countries, including developed and developing parts of the world.

There is a lack of adequate jobs everywhere, possibly for several divergent reasons. It is shared treachery, especially with the continuing world’s economic meltdown due to many seen and unseen factors. So, as a Nigerian, please do not take it hard or shudder; imbibe water and relax a trifle because we are not alone in this mess. There may be an advantage to every saddle moment.

Since the beginning of Covid-19, some countries have imposed total or partial lockdown–longer or shorter. These changes in our lives have handicapped the economy of nations and shattered peoples’ economic stability. On and off, many countries are still struggling with lockdown, which eventually forces people to work from home. From reports, you can say that the pandemic exposes the profound weaknesses and causes alarming panic in many countries previously seen as organised and the superpowers (aka God’s own nations). As a result, many people lost their jobs even in those powerful countries. Schools, universities, laboratories, markets, factories, and businesses were all closed, places of work and worship across the world were abruptly shut.

Consequently, different governments and policymakers have realised how vulnerable conventional job systems are. Thus, they are implementing strategies and gradually understanding the need for robust, better approaches to tackle these unprecedented changes. Policymakers have recommended and implemented novel ideas to impact schools, business owners, and entrepreneurs in countries affected by this negative development to make the economy viable and uphold the economic stability of their citizens.

For instance, several schools and universities have switched to remote instruction, in other words, digital learning. Due to the compelling need for endurance, human beings are social creatures who resiliently adapt and quickly learn to familiarise themselves with any given circumstances. People with different essential skills grabbed advantages from the emergent changes. They include but are not limited to computer skills that allow you to carry out remote jobs–working from non-typical office space. Besides, they are the kinds of do-it-yourself skills; they are not the specific skills you can learn from the traditional vocational training school. Suppose the government has plans to train people in such specialisation through vocational training school. In that case, it is a potential task and could easily invigorate people’s economic stability and prepare youth for the path of independence.

Here are a few examples of remote jobs that you can do from any place: (a) Computer programming/Coding; (b) Web development/design and Android or iOS developer; (c) Data science; (d) Content writing, copywriting, copyediting, transcription, and translation; (e) Graphic design; (f) Digital marketing; (g) Video editing; and Virtual assistant, and so forth. Of course, these jobs existed before COVID-19. However, they took a new turn and became enormously popular since the onset of the outbreak, thanks to their necessity and worth in our everyday lives. Thus, the everlasting need cannot be trammelled.

And every person who has no prior computer science/technology diploma or degree can master these skills. It does not matter whether or not one is from science or non-science-based disciplines. All you need is an android/iOS phone, while some require a desktop or laptop computer. Above all, you also require determination in learning and mastering any of these skills. And the good thing is, they are now taught in many online learning platforms for free or for a cost as either certified short courses or nano-degree programs.

The paid access courses are not very expensive if you compare them with the value of what you will learn and its advantages afterwards. Sponsored by the tech giant companies and other government sectors like Microsoft, Google, European Commission, and Universities, platforms such as Udacity, Udemy, FutureLearn, and Coursera offer massive open online courses (free).

YouTube is similarly often graded as the best platform for learning anything; you can use the platform to learn any skill you wish. So if you are a book person, look for the best ones in your field, learn, and practice. Even some establishments from Nigeria are taking part in this skills acquisition training program for the youths, but you hardly see these opportunities discussed in northern Nigeria’s cyberspace. Recently, I encountered another scholarship announcement for a Nanodegree scholarship in many essential skills in varieties of disciplines, which Access Bank, Nigeria will sponsor.

Dr Najib Ahmad is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Shandong University, China. He can be contacted via namuhammad03@gmail.com.

By Muhammad Sabiu

Some 28 out of the 121 kidnapped Bethel Baptist Secondary School students have on Sunday regained their freedom after being held for weeks in captivity.

Recall that the students were on July 8 abducted at their school premises in Chikum Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

A report by Tribune newspaper has indicated that this development was confirmed by the Chairman of the Kaduna chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Joseph Hayab. He added that the students would be reunited with their families.

Although the abductors of the students demanded the sum of M60 million as ransom, it remains unknown whether or not the money was paid before the release of some of the students. Kidnapping and killings have become a quotidian threat in northwest Nigeria despite the efforts made by security agents to curb the problems.

By Tajudden Ahmad Tijjani

The Bauchi State government has indeed taken the bull by the horns by suspending the license of all private NCE awarding colleges. It’s a fact that any society that does not prioritise education will retrogress.

The state government’s decision is a welcome development. All private National Certificate of Education ( NCE) granting institutions have had their license revoked in the pearl of tourism because of their negative contribution to the state’s educational development. The standard of education in the state is persistently getting lower. 

For the operators of such mushroom NCEs, losing their license will be a tough pill to swallow. Notwithstanding, it’s the right call from the government’s side because allowing them to continue operating results in the graduation of incompetent, quack teachers who are the benchmark of our state’s underdevelopment.
Indeed, anywhere In the world, the importance of education can never be overemphasised; quality education is essential for long-term development.

Last September, the United Nations (UN) ratified 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to serve as benchmarks for every nation to ensure global prosperity, protection of the planet, and poverty eradication.

All countries and stakeholders acting in collaborative partnerships will implement the plan Goal 4—Quality Education: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning.

The call for a Quality Education, not merely access to any education, by the UN is a great step in ensuring that all children and adults, not just those born with a silver spoon, have access to quality education.

Education is more than just a content delivery system; it is a system designed to help all children and adults reach their full potential and see themselves as contributing partners of society. The former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon set the SDG process in motion in 2012 by declaring that every child must be in school. The quality of those schools must improve so that students are prepared to be productive citizens ready to lead the future. 

Indeed, supporters of our beloved state should applaud the Bauchi state government’s decision to not only renew the licenses of these schools but also to sanction any defaulting so-called institutions per existing laws.

 However, let the government ensure that standards are strictly followed, that rich content is provided, and graduates are produced who are assets and productive in the twenty-first century, rather than liabilities.

Tajuddeen Ahmad Tijjani writes from Galadima Mahmud street, Kasuwar-kaji Azare, Bauchi State.

By Dr. Aliyu Isa Aliyu and Abdullahi Dogon-Nama (PRO KSA)

Former senator of Kano Central and governor of the state, Engr Dr Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, decried how the current government destroys the state’s existing socio-political and geographical landscapes. He described the government’s leadership style as “amateur”, adding that its people “are always oblivious of the realities”. He disclosed this during a Sallah visit paid to him by the state leadership of Kwankwasiyya Scholars Assembly (KSA), at his Miller Road residence, in Kano State. The Assembly was led by its president, Dr Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar Mata.

Many important Kwankwasiyya dignitaries were in attendance during the visit. They include Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf (Abba Gida-Gida), the popular PDP Kano State governorship candidate; Comrade Aminu Abdussalam, Dr Yunusa Adamu Dangwani, Alhaji Rufa’i Sani Hanga, Barrister Aminu Dala, Prof. Umar Faruq, Alhaji Yusuf Bello Dambatta, Hajiya Ladidi Garko, Hajiya A’in Jafaru, Hajiya Amina HOD, Alhaji Alhassan Doguwa, among many others.

The main aim of the visit is to extend the association’s appreciation, Sallah message and warm greetings to the grand commander of Kwankwasiyya ideology. Dr Kofar Mata added that they were there to update Sen. Kwankwaso on another vital milestone Kwankwasiyya Scholars achieved. This includes showcasing the Assembly members who recently completed their PhDs at various fields of studies from different countries worldwide.

The new-minted PhD holders are Dr Najaf Auwal from Fagge LG (PhD in Business Administration), Dr Mustapha Balarabe Idris (Chemistry), Dr Bashir Ibrahim Linguistic (English), Dr Nura Shanono (Agricultural and Environmental Engineering), Dr Zahradeen Getso (Chemistry), Dr Jibrin Yusuf Habib (Zoology), Dr Abdurrahman Abubakar Dambatta and Dr Zahraddeen Kademi.

Recall that during the leadership of Kwankwaso as the governor of Kano, he sent thousands of the state indigenes with good results in their bachelor’s degrees to further their studies abroad. The programme has been applauded by many people in Nigeria and other important dignitaries around the world.

However, some local champions, especially the opposition politicians, challenged the move, describing it as a waste of money and resources. Moreover, some argued that such degrees could be obtained even in Nigeria. However, Governor Kwankwaso insisted and took the hardest decision of sending the students. As a result, today, even the former governor’s opponents witness the massive success of the scholars who return from different countries with PhDs, some of whom graduated as the best students.

During his speech, Sen. Kwankwaso thanked the representatives of the scholars but lamented the destruction witnessed in the state by the current government. “I have never thought, even in my dreams, that the spacious Kano Eid ground would be defaced as such. But, unfortunately, some anti-Kano politicians have made it a habit to destroy all the spaces and peace of the state for their selfish reasons.”

“Look at the pediatric hospital near the Emir’s house. The governor and his evil cronies are surreptitiously bastardising even the monumental Badala of Kano. I was recently told that Kano State Government had accrued a debt both local and foreign to the tune of 185 billion!” he added.

By Abdullahi G. Usman

Despite the criticism against Nigerians in different parts of the world, Nigerians have continued to prove their intelligence wherever they find themselves. Academically speaking, Nigerians in the diaspora always emerge among the best graduating students in various fields of study.

Ismail Aliyu Adnan, a beneficiary of the Kano state scholarship scheme, with his emergence as the best graduating student at the Near East University Faculty of Medicine, Cyprus, has made Nigeria proud. He is proof of the intellectual capability of Nigerians.

Ismail Aliyu Adnan, an indigene of Gwale LGA, Kano State, has set an unprecedented record at the faculty. He became the first person from Kano state and the second person from Nigeria to have emerged as the best graduating student, topping both the national and international students.

Ismail said that without Allah, family and friends who supported him throughout his journey, achieving this success would have been impossible.

Ismail’s academic success demonstrates that Nigerians in the diaspora are out for excellence. He has not only made his family and Kano state government proud, but he has also represented Nigeria to the rest of the world as home to hardworking individuals.

Ismail’s friends recollect that he had exceptional abilities as a student at the Kano State College of Art, Science, & Remedial studies (CAS) and at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he always emerges among the best students.  

In his valedictory speech, he thanked Allah for guiding him through the challenging and exhausting journey, his professors, family, and friends for the support, and the Kano State government for the scholarship he was given to pursue his dream profession. He finished his speech by urging all his colleagues to leave a legacy wherever they find themselves, especially through positively impacting the lives of others.

Abdullahi G Usman is a PhD student at Near East University, Cyprus. He can be reached via abdullahigusman@gmail.com.

The Yusuf Maitama Sule University Kano (YUMSUK) honours some prominent Nigerians who serve the country and assist in its growth and development of the nation.

The honour came during an opening ceremony of the First International Conference, 2021, organized by the university’s Department of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Humanities.

Attended by many personalities from within and outside the country, the event was lauded by several people, especially the organizers’ resolve to recognize the philanthropic gesture of some outstanding Nigerians.

Those honoured included the current Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Mukhtar Atiku Kurawa, Sheikh Yakubu Musa (Sautus Sunnah), Alhaji Sani Muhammad Lawan (Sani Samfo), Alhaji Auwalu Rano (A.A. Rano), Alhaji Dahiru Mangal, Alhaji Murtala Garba Tafida (MGT) and Alhaji Aliyu Sa’idu Bebeji (Aliko Oil).

The awardees have contributed immensely in their various roles, positions, and capacities towards uplifting youth, poverty alleviation, and other forms of community services—all share one thing in common: helping the poor. The philanthropists among them donate their wealth freely for the welfare of the public. 

The MC read citations of the awardees as the participants registered their amazement at the humility, dedication and love for the country engraved in the hearts of the award recipients. They build mosques, boreholes; sponsor thousands of students to study in Nigeria and abroad, among many other humanitarian aids.

The university gave different titles of honors to these VIPs. The titles include “ambassador of peace”, “star of the youth”, “father of orphans”, “flag of religion”, among many others.

By Adamu Tilde, PhD.

For a while now, Nigeria has been witnessing exponential growth in the rise of certificate-awarding institutions and massive production of holders of certificates of all kinds: diplomas, NCEs, degrees, masters, PGDs, etc. Ordinarily, this should be a welcome development. But, unfortunately, this phenomenon comes at the expense of acquiring quality skills, thus resulting in the production of certificate holders with no skills at all or with some skills that are not in demand and/or have no economic value whatsoever.

One comes to realise the effects of this phenomenon when one does a simple close-proximity analysis—for example, over sixty registered and unregistered colleges of education award NCE certificates in Bauchi state alone. Most of the courses offered in these colleges are combinations of English/Hausa, Social Studies/English, Arabic/Fulfulde, etc. The questions to ask are: what are the specific skills that an average NCE holder acquires in the three years they spend in college? Do these skills, if any, have any economic value? If yes, how many NCE holders, for example, does Bauchi state need at any given time?

Again, in Toro, one out of the twenty local government areas of Bauchi state, there are six colleges of health technology and counting. Most of the courses offered in these colleges are diplomas in Medical Records, Environmental Health, Community Health, Laboratory Technology, etc. I may sound so dismissive of these courses, but don’t get me wrong. These are significant courses and, perhaps, with valuable skills to offer, but we already have enough to go around. And, trust economics, its laws are no respecters of irrational decisions: the higher the supply, the lower the demand and invariably the price. So the need to rethink why we do certain things instead of other things could not be more urgent.

Way Forward

To be very clear, I am not presenting anything novel. Our pioneer leaders had envisaged the inevitable need for technical skills for economic growth and development, and that’s why they established monotechnics, polytechnics, and technical colleges across the country. No thanks to unimaginative leadership and penchant for mass production of certificates-wielding graduates that had led to having polytechnics with more students studying mass communication, theatre arts than engineering, computer science, statistics, etc. Nothing can be more ironic.

In the following subheadings, I will argue on why we should pay more attention to technical skills and invest more in establishing technical colleges:

Guaranteed employment

Rest assured that employers lined up waiting for you once you possess skills like plumbing, welding, woodwork, carpentry, masonry, tiling, electric wiring, programming, website and apps development, etc. With an increase in population comes corresponding demands for housing, food, and services. So these skills will forever be in need, so long as we breathe. And in the event you don’t want to be on the payroll of anybody, you can monetise the skills by employing yourself. For example, a diploma holder in animal health and production can engage in the private practice of visiting farms and local markets to provide first aid treatment. There are too many farms to go around. We can say the same about a plumber, tiler, painter, etc.

Less time than conventional schooling

Most technical skills can be acquired in a record time, probably in a year or two, and then you are good to go. The most interesting thing about a given skill is that the more you practice it, the more you master it. Moreover, it is more difficult for a person to forget a set of skills than the paper-based theories learned in school. Very unlike typical schooling (a diploma or a degree), where you would spend 2 or 4 years with no specific skills to show and then sooner you would forget the little theoretical knowledge you have acquired since you are not practising.

High return on investment

Compared to the money spent to acquire NCE certificates, diplomas in health-related courses, and some instances, degree courses, you are better off having any of the aforementioned technical skills. NCE holders and, in some cases, degree holders hardly make up to ₦30,000 per month in many private schools. In fact, even in public service, NCE holders fetch ₦36,000 per month in Bauchi state. When you analyse the time, money and energy expended to acquire the certificate and the monetary reward after that, you will struggle to make economic sense of the decision. So many Keke Napep guys make more than that amount in a month. So much for a heap of certificates!

Again, as a private investor, you are better off establishing a technical college, especially if you would engage in vertical integration by employing your products (graduates). For example, you can set a company that specialises in finishing and look for contracts. Trust me; we have a paucity of skilled workforce in the building industry. We do import tilers, plumbers, welders from outside. That’s how bad things are, and that’s how vast the opportunities are.

And for those who want to ‘japa‘ (to go abroad), your chance of securing a visa and employment abroad is greatly enhanced if you have any technical skills. This is for non-medical professionals and exceptionally brilliant computer wizards.

Note

The argument here is not whether an NCE certificate or health technology diploma or even degree certificate, for that matter, is good or not. No! The idea here is that we should go to colleges and universities to acquire skills that we can use to improve our financial situation. If the so-called certificate(s) you have obtained cannot fetch you a job or equip you with skills that people can pay for, you need to rethink why you were in school in the first place. We have tonnes of graduates and varying certificate-holders roaming the street for jobs that are not there and crying for lack of employment; meanwhile, they have no skills worth employing. We are massively producing what we do not need and under-producing what we urgently need. Something is wrong.

We have to appreciate the dynamics of time. Long ago, all it takes to climb the mythical social ladder and join the much-vaunted middle-class is a certificate of any kind. Whatever or not you studied in the university is immaterial; public jobs were waiting for you. But that was then. Those years of yore have passed for good. There are no more public jobs for everyone. Internalise this and know peace. As for private companies, well, first of all, they are not charity organisations. Secondly, they are profit-driven, so they don’t employ people to fill any underrepresented state’s quota. Thirdly, they reward value— what you have to offer is what counts. You need much more than a certificate to survive. You need skills, not just any skills, but skills that have economic value.

You need to wake up and smell the coffee. Hello!

Dr Tilde can be reached via adamtilde@gmail.com.