I read with tears almost racing down my cheeks, the submission of PUNCH’s editorial board, ‘the future of Nigeria is bleak’. And as a proud patriotic citizen, a youth of this country, I almost retorted in her defence. Because for four years I was fed with ‘the future is bright’, so I find ‘the future is bleak’ a hard pill to swallow.

It has been said that Nigerians are the most hopeful humans roaming the universe. And coupled with our religiosity, our lips perpetually pour out positive confessions against obvious contrary evidences. Sadly, positive confessions without progressive actions only produce dashed hopes. Thus, the editorial board of PUNCH acted wisely: diagnosed Nigeria’s education and made its recommendations. Failure to face the emergency in Nigeria’s education portends a bleak future.

Therefore, as a millennial who will shoulder the future – bleak or bright – I proffer a strategy that will achieve results on two fronts: technology. Education has been redefined, and better ways of learning have been birthed by the blissful bond of technology and education – Edtech (Education Technology). Technology will not only save Nigeria’s decaying education but also boost technological development in Nigeria.

And to allay the fears of the conservative educators and stakeholders, technology will not render you jobless. Rather, it will increase your productivity. You can impart more lives, earn extra money, and teach without stress using technology. Research has shown that students believe they learn more from technology than people. Schools, and teachers need to pay attention to this. And for a country like Nigeria entangled in economic and socio-political web, the infrastructures – classrooms, tables, chairs, etc. required for traditional learning style (and teaching) cannot be (sufficiently) provided.

Technology, also, will rescue the out-of-school children (and youths). Developed countries in the 21st century take education to the doorsteps, tables, and pockets of citizens using technology. There are Open Educational Resources (OERs), Mass Open Online Courses (MOOCs), and others that are cost-effective and convenient ways of ensuring citizens’ literacy.
Distance and time are no longer impediments to learning. From the Niger Delta creeks to the deserted war-torn North-East, nobody would be left in the dark world of illiteracy.

With a smartphone, tablet or computer connected to the internet, teachers and students can connect from any part of the world at any time. And research has confirmed that students learn better and faster with technology because it makes learning fun, and easy. It allows students to control the time, place, path, or pace. Students will learn at the best time to assimilate, and at a pace they can understand. Blended learning, therefore, the fusion of traditional and digital learning would improve students’ performance. I do not have monopoly of this thought, the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo also concurs, and he said “we must adapt our education policy to fit in with new trends.” The new trend is Edtech - blended learning.

There are pockets of thriving Edtech companies in Nigeria offering unique services. There is pass.ng for exams; tuteria for tutors; okadabooks for books; and Brainstormr that does better what four Edtech companies combined do.

The Brainstormr platform can be easily accessed through the web or mobile application. And you can: read books; earn money; talk to a counselor; engage with experts; and connect with fellow eggheads on the platform. Also, it has a Virtual Learning Environment and a Learning Management System; tools training centers, institutions, universities, and organizations can use for their training and development seminars, distance learning, and data management.

And of course, while these companies are making quality education accessible to all, they will also be contributing to the economy in taxes and providing gainful employment for the employable few.

Technology is indeed one strategy that will make Nigeria win on many fronts: teachers and students will be trained on how to effectively utilise technology for learning, more educational technologies will be created, gainful employment, and improved economy.

Although this strategy is fail-proof, and has been successful in many countries, like Singapore and Finland. But it still requires thorough implementation, and following through with the process. If we must change the narrative and avert this sure prophecy of a bleak Nigeria’s future, government must make policies that will promote blended learning, and make educational technologies attractive to all learning institutions.

A millennial thought on how technology can save Nigeria’s decaying education.