Towards destroying education in Nigeria

To go straight to the point, President Bola Tinubu’s Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, appears to be on a rapid course that could further destabilize the already struggling education sector in Nigeria.

In a recent interview broadcast on national television, Mamman revealed a controversial plan by the government to enforce a ban on students under the age of 18 from sitting for the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), which is organized by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO). This proposal raises significant concerns, as it leans towards an extreme approach that could infringe upon the fundamental right to education for many young Nigerians.

Mamman’s proposed policy is not only ill-conceived but also lacks a broader perspective on its potential negative impacts. It seems highly unreasonable to base such a sweeping policy change on a single case study, particularly one that was cited from an international context. The rigid structure he suggests—where early childhood care lasts five years, followed by six years of primary education, three years of junior secondary, and another three years of senior secondary before students can enter university at the age of 18—adheres strictly to the 6-3-3-4 system. However, this outdated system is long overdue for a comprehensive review to meet the current educational needs and realities of Nigerian students.

Mamman has overlooked the fact that millions of students currently in the system would be severely disadvantaged by the implementation of this backward policy. For instance, students aged 15 or 16 who are in their final year of senior secondary school would face a mandatory delay of two to three years before being eligible to sit for the SSCE, which is a prerequisite for university admission. This unnecessary waiting period would extend the time they spend in the educational system, leading to frustration and potentially discouraging them from pursuing higher education.

In Nigeria, the average duration of university education is already extended to five years, largely due to frequent disruptions like strikes by academic and non-academic staff unions. For students enrolled in specialized programs such as medicine, nursing, and engineering, the years spent in university are even longer. Introducing a policy that further delays their academic progress is not only counterproductive but could also exacerbate existing challenges within the education system.

Moreover, the proposed ban could worsen the already dire statistics on out-of-school children in Nigeria. According to 2023 data from UNESCO and the Global Education Monitoring Report, the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria has reached a staggering 20.2 million, a figure that has nearly doubled from previous estimates. UNICEF further reports that one in three Nigerian children is out of school, with 10.2 million at the primary level and 8.1 million at the junior secondary level. Shockingly, one in every five out-of-school children globally resides in Nigeria. Mamman’s policy would likely add to these disheartening figures, pushing even more children out of the classroom and into the streets, where they are vulnerable to exploitation by criminal and terrorist groups, as has been observed in regions plagued by banditry and Boko Haram insurgency.

Nigeria is already teetering on the brink of a crisis with the alarming number of out-of-school children, particularly in the northern region. The situation has been highlighted by Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, who lamented the presence of 680,000 out-of-school children in the state. Similarly, Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Yahaya noted an increase from 500,000 in 2019 to 600,000 out-of-school children. Even the South-Western states, once known for their commitment to free and universal education, have seen a troubling rise in out-of-school children, reflecting a broader decline in leadership and educational standards.

Education is the cornerstone of any society; it is a fundamental human right and a key target of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

President Tinubu must take immediate action to redirect his Minister of Education’s focus towards addressing the real issues plaguing the education sector. These include the looming threat of university strikes, the gradual decay of basic education, and the severe lack of teachers and infrastructure in primary and secondary schools across the country. Failure to do so could have lasting negative consequences for the future of Nigeria’s education system and the nation as a whole.