₦airaland Forum

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on all stakeholders in the education sector to ensure the provision of qualitative and quantitative education in order to achieve national development.

Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Professor Anthony Onwuka, said this on Saturday during the 41st convocation ceremony for the conferment of post-graduate degrees, diplomas and certificates at the University of Benin, Edo State.



At the event where a total of 11,020 students received different higher degrees, the President decried what he described as the disregard for Nigeria’s education system by key players in the sector.

He said, “If there is one thing Nigerians agree on, it is the fact that our educational system is undervalued. Permit me to say, at this point and very sadly too, that the current standard of education in Nigeria has, unfortunately, succeeded in creating three classes of Nigerians: a minority that is well educated, a majority that is poorly educated and those without education at all.

“This not healthy for our country and concerted efforts should be made to reverse the trend.

“Let me use this medium to reiterate the vision of the Federal Government in the provision of qualitative education, especially tertiary education for our teeming youths. This, however, requires the support of all stakeholders.”

He, however, noted that while the Federal Government would not relent in its efforts to overcome challenges caused by the activities of the Boko Haram sect and other misguided elements in the near future, Nigerians must guard the country’s educational values, against all odds.

“The Federal Government notes, with dismay, the incidents of bomb blasts and other acts of terrorism in our institutions of learning and pledges its determination to put a final stop to this ugly trend, as no responsible government will fold its arms and allow a system that has taken several years to build to be snatched overnight by the unwholesome activities of some enemies of progress,” he added.

While congratulating the graduates and honorary awardees, Buhari stressed the need for universities to focus on viable and entrepreneurial ideas that would assist the government.

He also urged the managers of tertiary institutions to continue to demonstrate prudence in the management of their resources as his administration would ensure that the Treasury Single Account blocks any form of diversion and misappropriation of government funds.

He said, “The government is determined to fight corruption at all levels, including our tertiary institutions. We cannot speak of effective and efficient funding of the education sub-sector if our universities are mired in crisis, fraud and loss of institutional vision.”

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, in his remarks, frowned on the prevalence of land grabbing by unpatriotic individuals and groups.

He said the development had become a problem for the university and promised that the state government would not hesitate in demolishing illegal structures.

Honorary doctorate degrees were conferred on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, and a consultant gynaecologist, Dr. Osagie Osato.

http://punchng.com/nigerias-education-system-undervalued-buhari-2/

Cc Lalasticlala

He has spoken!

"Yara manyan gobe"

So?

One of d majority

jerseyboy:
Get rid of quota and see how quality education takes off

I don't think quota is the big issue here. I think this statement is the real Nigeria problem:

"Minority that is well educated, a majority that is poorly educated and those without education at all."

Whether quota or not, many Nigerians are poorly educated. They cannot think independently and logically. Most Nigerians struggle to demonstrate competence and sound knowledge of their area of specialisation, and are bestowed with pedestal thinking. If you take a random sampling of Nairaland, you'll understand this is a real problem.

TonySpike:
I don't think quota is the big issue here. I think this statement is the real Nigeria problem:

"Minority that is well educated, a majority that is poorly educated and those without education at all."

Whether quota or not, many Nigerians are poorly educated. They cannot think independently and logically. Most Nigerians struggle to demonstrate competence and sound knowledge of their area of specialisation, and are bestowed with pedestal thinking. If you take a random sampling of Nairaland, you'll understand this is a real problem.

The lack of quality and the attendant poor employment prospects makes it a dubious proposition for many poor to want to invest their precious resources in todays educational structure. The rich simply give their kids a bypass by sending them abroad.

jerseyboy:
The lack of quality and the attendant poor employment prospects makes it a dubious proposition for many poor to want to invest their precious resources in todays educational structure. The rich simply give their kids a bypass by sending them abroad.

Well said and very apt...

Every country has educated and uneducated people.

The issue is not creating "one class" of "educated people" but rather, creating opportunities for both educated and uneducated to actualize their goals and ambitions.

My opinion.

Many are educated but with no jobs and few prospects, while many are uneducated but business/skills savvy and doing well.

Can you imagine? Why not say thesame about the other sectors you kept berating? Like Security Et Al?

Seems the president is positioning to claim some of the achievements of the past administration!

Don't be surprised if he Claims he advised GEJ to add more Universities at the Council of state meetings he kept shunning!

tpiadotcom:
Every country has educated and uneducated people.

The issue is not creating "one class" of "educated people" but rather, creating opportunities for both educated and uneducated to actualize their goals and ambitions.

My opinion.

Many are educated but with no jobs and few prospects, while many are uneducated but business/skills savvy and doing well.

To me, the point of this speech is this:

"What is the true worth of an educated Nigerian?".

I don't think many Nigerians are truly educated judging by our thought-process, mediocre thinking and poor problem-solving skills.

TonySpike:
To me, the point of this speech is this:

"What is the true worth of an educated Nigerian?".

I don't think many Nigerians are truly educated judging by our thought-process, mediocre thinking and poor problem-solving skills.

there is no "worth" to measure of your fellow human being. Anyone who doesnt know this, is uneducated even if they say they have some qualifications on paper and passed through a school.

You dont judge people based on one particular subjective scale or frame of reference.

Poor problem solving skills, mediocre thinking and irrational thought process are symptomatic of problems which need to be examined by the person manifesting them, not doing so is what amounts to low self esteem which perhaps is what you are referring to.