That Nigeria’s educational system is far from the desired is unquestionable. However appreciable this fact is, it has not redefined things as the sector is constantly faced with various shades of challenges.
A most recent angle to the myriad of challenges facing this sector in Nigeria is the security threat to students, staff and properties of citadels of learning. This has become even more evident with the advent of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad sect (which in Arabic means “People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet’s Teachings and Jihad), popularly referred to as 'Boko Haram' by residents of Maiduguri, Borno state in North-eastern Nigeria, where it originated.
The group has ostensibly stated its disregard for modern education and its proponents. Meanwhile, they have not stopped at mere words as they have bombed almost everything within their sight since they started their onslaught about three years ago.
Sometime ago,The threat by an anonymous group that necessitated the closure of the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) was instructive and self explanatory. The threat, which was neither from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), National Universities Commission (NUC) nor issued by a court of competent jurisdiction, took less than 24 hours for the university authority to enforce. This brings to bare confusions over who is now temporarily in charge of the education industry.
Same has been seen of the University of Benin whose Management is in uncertitude over whether to close down or remain in session.
Loosely translated from the local Hausa language, Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad means Western education is forbidden. Residents gave it the name because of its strong opposition to Western education, which it sees as corrupting Muslims. The term Boko Haram comes from the Hausa word boko meaning “animist, Western or otherwise non-Islamic education” and the Arabic word “haram” figuratively meaning “sin” (literally, “forbidden”). Report has it that Boko Haram opposes not only Western education but Western culture and modern sciences as well. Its followers are said to be influenced by the Koranic phrase which says “Anyone who is not governed by what Allah has revealed is among the transgressors or infidels.” Boko Haram promotes a version of Islam which makes it “haram”, or forbidden, for Muslims to take part in any political or social activity associated with the Western society, including voting in elections, wearing shirts and trousers or receiving a secular education. Arrant idiocy to me. It was against this background that the charismatic Muslim cleric, Mohammed Yusuf, formed Boko Haram in Maiduguri in 2002. He set up a religious complex, which included a mosque and an Islamic school. Many poor Muslim families from across Nigeria, as well as neighbouring countries, enrolled their children at the school. But Boko Haram was not only interested in education. Its 'political goal' was to create an Islamic state, and the school became a recruiting ground for jihadist to fight the state. One of the far-reaching steps as a consequence of this situation is the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) killings.
UNIMAID's authorities' said letter read in part: “We give the school authorities till end of this month or before the beginning of Ramadan to release you all, if not something very bad will happen.” Though the authenticity of the letter could not be verified, the university authorities did nottake any chances. Same has also gone for UNIBEN,UI and the rest who now thoroughly search their staffs and students. The resultant effect to all these now is the truncation of academic learning and consequential mass exodus and evacuation of students of the institution.
In the case of UNIMAID, Turn after turn and in quick successions governors of Benue, Lagos, Ogun, Kogi, Anambra, and other states of the federation moved in to the troubled state to evacuate their indigenes and students following distress calls for assistance. It remains to be seen what happens to these new threats now that same is about to occur in the West and South and yet nothing is being done. The nation as I write is in a dire situation with a clueless individual as its head. I have repeatedly said that a Goat does not give birth to a Lion. Ifeanyi Eze posited that 'an army of sheep lead by a Lion would always defeat an army of Lions lead by a sheep'. Leadership has always been Our problem and We're not looking to overcome it soon,atleast not for the next four years. What does this portend for the future of education in Nigeria?
To me,It is a wake up call to the government which appeared not to have taken the Boko Haram issue very seriously until the recent of bombings in Abuja, Bauchi and Niger states for which the sect claimed responsibility. Another dimension is that another closure of these pointed universities could cause a displacement of over 100,000 students at the schools, Most of who's students have travelled from far-flung parts of the country in search of quality university education.


Senator Atu Lucky opined recently that granting Boko Haram amnesty is a 'Hollow Ritual'. Really not a fan of amnesty but looking at the messy situation we are in,what is the next step. Bishop David Oyedepo,reacting on the issue recently, urged the federal & the state governments to see to the grievances of the sect.

Big Shout out to Oyeniran Apata, Senator Atu Lucky and Wikipedia for Insights.

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