Opinions

Incoming president should prioritise education

THE current situation of Nigerian students trapped in Sudan as a result of the battle for hegemony between two leaders of the country have caused many Nigerians to entertain multiple thoughts and reflections about our welfare as citizens. Many people have wondered why any Nigerian would prefer to go to Sudan to study instead of their own country. Others have poignantly resolved the puzzle with an explanation that our country pays less attention to education compared to Sudan. Anyhow one may look at it, there is an undeniable causal nexus between our country’s abandonment of the education sector and the increasing numbers of citizens who leave the country to get education abroad. From 2017 to 2022, ASUU has gone on strike for 21 months (that is, 1 year 9 months), leaving Nigerian students to bear the pains of abandonment and setbacks.

Despite this frustration, as citizens, we keep renewing our hope for change in this country amidst daily disappointment by our government. We have done so in recent times through massive engagement of the 2023 general election. We hope that the sore situation of our tertiary education under this administration will end during the swearing in of the president-elect. This malady must not increase in any form. Lack of adequate investments in our education has left a void in the sector. Wherever they can find good education is where they definitely will go. Humans everywhere in the world deserve an environment which will help them to actualise their purpose in life. This in fact is an unassailable ingredient of the principle of law of any country and Nigeria is not left out. One of the three important elements of the concept of the rule of law was determined at the Delhi Congress of International Commission of Jurists in 1959. It states: “The establishment of social, economic and cultural conditions which permit men to live in dignity and to fulfil their legitimate aspirations.” Our constitution (1999 Constitution, as amended) confirms this as the primary function of government and asserts in Section 14(2)(b) that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of Government.

Any government which fails to provide the necessary conditions of life that will favour the flourishing of her citizens has failed. We expect a lot from the incoming president and will not excuse or pardon the continuance of this perennial gap between promise and performance. While we do not expect him to perform magic in bringing the country to a state of Eldorado overnight, we wait on him to strengthen our vital institutions, one of which is education. Senator Udo Udoma said and I agree, that men are powerless to secure the future, institutions alone fix the destiny of nations. The constitution of Nigeria in Section 18(1) provides: “Government shall direct its policy towards ensuring that there are equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels”. A resolve by the incoming president to pay keen attention to the education sector would be a minimal undertaking to transform this country. This is our right as a people and we hope he will embrace the duty of protecting this right. It is the least thing we expect him to do amongst many other things.