₦airaland Forum

Sincere 9gerian: Its unfortunate how you try to dodge the ASUU demand for another N400billion. I provided you with two separarte links, yet none is sufficient for you. Maybe you'r ashamed of admiting that ASUU's demand. Anyway, whether you admit it or not ASUU is demanding for another N400billion, not just for this year but on annual basis. That is N800billion alone for education, out of N4trillion budget for 160million people. Is that FAIR on the rest of Nigerians that are yearning for basic education, good health care, good roads, portable water, railways, stable power,etc. Is that FAIR? Because the rest 160 million Nigerians cannot go on strike does not mean they do not have demands

I am not "dodging" ASUU demands for N400 billion as you put it. Why will I be ashamed when I know that IF ASUU demanded for N400 billion, it arrived at the figure not by randomly looking at how much each lecturer can chop, but by estimating the amount of rot in the system and determining how much is needed? Why will I be ashamed of that?? I simply did not join issues with you on that because as a scientist/engineer, I hate discussing an issue unless I have the facts, and as I explained to you with the N92 vs N87 billion example, one simply cannot trust the media alone.

As to whether N400B is too much for education out of N4T, I'm afraid you may not like my answer, but bear with me. Permit me to use an analogy. Imagine a poor family with only N400K available to them for whatever reason for life. Do you think that considering all the other *important* needs in the house, it is fair for the children's education to require N200K? Of course. It is true that the child himself dare not make that argument because the father is going to ask him whether it is less important to eat, or whether the day he falls sick, money should not be made available for treatment. However, every sensible parent will know that eventually, N400K will run out. To have any chance of long-term survival, the family must invest in the children so that the family can survice in future.

What I am saying is: ASSUMING THE MONEY WILL BE WELL SPENT (which of course is another dirty linen which I *am* ashamed to wash in public), N400B is not too much for education because, read my lips, this country (or any other for that matter) has no hope of getting ahead unless it funds education and research. Go and look at how much the US spent on the Genome project and how much each dollar is returning. Same for the new Brain Mapping initiative. People sink crazy money into education because that is their hope for the future. Which is why UNICEF (se they are no fools) recommend almost a quarter of your budget goes towards education.

Of course the problem, which we all know, is that Nigerian academics have not delivered so far. The issue is for us to work on means of making sure they (we) deliver because I repeat, the country will never see the kind of development we need unless tertiary education works. Yes, I am ashamed that academics have not done well at all when it comes to results. That doesn't mean education is no longer our major hope. It simply means that having made the appropriate investments, we have to make sure we make all academics are held accountable. Academics who cannot deliver should be thrown out, simple. Have I responded to you better now?

Kachi188: While some part of ASUU's. Demand appear legit, some others sounds outlandish and self-serving. I mean, if just earned allowed can total up to 87billion between 2009 and now,I wonder how much salary they would have received within this time frame. They are also demanding τ̣̣ђat FG. Provides funding for even state universities, where do they do τ̣̣ђat anywhere in the world? FG has shifted grounds since this strike started, and ASUU has remained firmly rooted on its demands. For the sake of students,ASUU should consider the offer by FG. 130billion already and more to follow. What if tomorrow, all primary and secondary school teachers demand τ̣̣ђat govt fixes all the school to international standard at once, won't we call them unreasonable? The position taken by ASUU makes them look more like self-serving politicians, rather than academics.

I am almost apologetic that I have to be reduced to a "defender of ASUU" as I usually do not even attend union meetings. Having said that, it is still this idea of "shifting ground" I do not agree with. This is not a negotiation for any new demand. It is a demand for what has already been promised and now owed.

If by shifting ground, you mean allow the government to propose a workable plan for spacing payments and funding out, of course I believe ASUU will accept that (after all, we have been here 4 years, and the universities haven't imploded yet). But if by shifting ground, you mean to go back and renegotiate something that government agreed to do, and they now owe ASUU for work already done, that's not right na. Where is it done that after you promise someone payment for a job and the job is done, you now turn around and renegotiate, and worse yet, accuse the other person of not shifting ground? Using your words,"where do they do τ̣̣ђat anywhere in the world?".

Your point about the state universities is a good one which I secretly agree with. However, I do sympathize with the states because most of them simply cannot afford the amount we are talking about. But that's a discussion for another day.

On a final note, yes I agree with you totally, I find some of ASUU's original demands questionable to say the least. But again, that's a discussion for another day.

Its just so hard being a Nigerian...

Sincere 9gerian: I just gave the fact which is that the source of the fund for earned allowance was NOT part of the agreement. That is a FACT. It is also a FACT that universities have internally generated revenue. I saw the head of one of the polytechnics in the east (along with minister of education) commission projects he claimed was executed with internally generated revenue. Nothing stops the schools from paying those earned allowances with part of the internally generated revenue.

This is why I accused the government of playing hide and seek. The source was not identified, but they know universities cannot generate such IGR unless they levy students harshly. I do not doubt that some institutions have much more IGR than others (as in the example of the poly you cited), but I assure you that no university (save, perhaps UNILAG?) can afford to pay the allowance. It's just a technique by government to try top sell its students fees agenda again. And you know what, given that it is the same students who pillory ASUU, perhaps one of these days, ASUU should just keep shut and let the government gets its wish, all in the name of generating IGR.

Sincere 9gerian: You claim not to be aware of ASUU demanding for another N400billion (in addition to the N400billion for the whole education sector), maybe you should the reports below:
http://tv360nigeria.com/ASUU-strike-union-says-full-implementation-of-mou-or-no-deal/
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/08/fg-not-ready-to-end-strike-ASUU/

Is it fair on the rest of 160million Nigerians for ASUU to be asking for 800billion (N400billion for education as a whole and N400billion for universities) for the education sector alone out of N4trillion national budget? What about the rest 160 million Nigerians that are asking govt for good roads, portable water, health care, railways, salaries, security, etc?

I appreciate that you have been kind enough to provide a link, but I am sorry, I cannot put much trust in figures bandied about by the media. For example, can I tell you a joke? Do you know (as I am reliably informed) that ASUU is NOT asking for N92 Billion? That figure (or is it $87 billion?) is what the government owes ALL THE UNIONS in the universities for the allowances. But if you listen to the media, it is "lecturers" that are fighting for N92 billion.

Look, one of the reasons I try to stay away from commenting online is that most problems are complicated enough that one would have to type an ocean of text in order to properly make his point. This is a complex issue (for example, under other circumstances, I would argue that a. students fees *do* need to be increased b. many of us lecturers truly do not deserve to be in this system c. I do not even *personally* believe in the whole earned allowances thing etc.) however, we can simplify it to the issue that made me engage you in the first place:

ASUU is primarily asking government to pay for services *already* rendered, for which government agreed it would pay. Government is putting up tricks to avoid doing so (pretending not to be aware of the agreement -can you imagine that?; trying to split universities and push burdens to students with the IRG idea). In the midst of all this, please keep in mind, ASUU is NOT making any new demand that the government did not sign for. Government should honor an agreement it signed 4 years ago.

Sincere 9gerian: On the issue of earned allowance, the govt is not re-negotiating that aspect. The problem is that the 2009 did NOT state where the money to fund the earned allowance was to be sourced from- whether from FG budget or internally generated revenue of the schools. In view of that, the govt promised to pay N30billion so that each university will add that to their internally generated revenue and pay the earned allowances.

Clearly, on other issues, we'r on opposing ends. No agreement is sacrosant. Even laws a amended to suit realities. ASUU cannot insist on all or NONE

Why are you playing the same hide-and-seek that government is playing? You say the government agrees with the allowances, but wants the universities to pay the bulk with IGR. Where, pray tell me, will the universities get that money from?

Hope you know that this means the government wants a sharp increase in students' fees. ASUU knows this, as do most folks who care to think about it. So why doesn't ASUU accept it? Ask yourself, what has ASUU got to lose if we get all our allowances and students get charged N2 million per year (I got that figure from thin air; just saying)? Nothing. The only reason ASUU will not take that deal it that it is wrong for the government to deflect its responsibilities by moving the burden to students and their parents.

Dike Chimezie: So u agreed that previous strikes embarked by ASUU has benefited the institution even when d latest worldwide universities ranking shows that Nigerian universities have dropped out of reckoning because of d poor quality and scope of research conducted by indigenous academics. No Nigerian university featured in the world best 500 universities.
More embarassing was the fact that even among the contending universities in Africa,the best Nigerian universitiy in Africa was ranked number 44,2nd 65,3rd 79 and 4th 90.
ASUU are bunch of selfish hypocrites.

Chief, take it easy. Are you also aware that a Nigerian universities is ranked 8th in Africa on the Webometric rankings? Nigerian universities have been improving there every year. Sure, there are much better indices and rankings, but show me one where the trend has not been positive since the lowest we sank during the Abacha years?

Also, it is nice when ignorant, to ask for information from those who (claim to) know. It is only after you find their response inadequate or inaccurate that you can take them to task. I work in this system. I told you the system has improved, but yet you feel the need to throw global rankings at me. Do you know anyone who works or has had long enough association with the universities that tell you that they are not improving? (I accept that the rate of improvement is slow of course).

You are unhappy with ASUU, I understand that. But pause to think carefully on your use of the word "hypocrite". Do you even know what that word means, and is that the right thing you think the current situation depicts academics as?

Cheers.

Sincere 9gerian: The Yar Adua govt signed that agreement and we dont know how and under what condition he did. Yes, GEJ was part of that govt but you and I know that VPs are merely spare tires.

Its very easy to sign documents but IMPLEMENTATION is where the problem lies. The current govt has looked at the agreement and discovered that certain part are un-implementable. If that is the position of govt then ASUU should sit with govt and look at areas where adjustment can be made to make it implementable and favourable for all parties, especially when the govt has fully implemented SOME part of the agreement.

Assuming in your absence some people signed away your son in an agreement but before the deal could be implemented you returned and the onus now lies with you to implement the deal. What will you do as a father? Will you go ahead and give away your son because an agreement was signed in your absence?

Agreement is not law. It cannot be sacrosant. If the govt has shown good faith in implementing some of it, why cant the unions sit and re-negotiate areas where the govt is having difficulties?

About N400billion (minus TET fund, UBEC, NDDC etc) was budgeted for education this year out of a budget of N4trillion for 160million people. Now ASUU alone is asking for ANOTHER N400billion for the universities. How FAIR is that? Where does that leave the remaining 160million Nigerians that are asking govt for portable water, good roads, railways, stable power, good health care system,etc?

Sorry, I don't agree with you again. Government doesn't work that way, sorry. Agreements during the Yar Adua presidency were not signed with Yar Adua but with the Federal Government of Nigeria. An agreement with FGN must be honored by any current group running the country. So, the argument that JEG's government is the innocent who got saddled with an onerous burden is not acceptable. FGN is FGN.

Also, you say implementation is the problem. True. But can I remind you that that is why governments don't rush to sign agreements. They are expected to do their due diligence and know whether an idea will work. Due diligence means that they will get rough figures and assure themselves that as long as the figures stay within an order of magnitude, they are implementable. For government to have taken so long in 2009 to consider its options before signing, and coming round now to say "unimplementable", it suggests the figures now are more than an order of magnitude off. Meaning: they did not do their due diligence. Whose fault is that?

Your "son analogy" fails on many counts. Family and blood ties work differently from government of countries.

It is true that agreement is not law. However, (I think..since I do not know what the ASUU representatives actually think) one reason why ASUU will not back down is that they see no ACTUAL reason why the government cannot fulfill its promise other than the fact that some elements in government simply feel that "this amount is too much for them".

I frankly do not have information about the N400 Billion you speak of, so I will pass on that. However, whatever it does not change the main issues in contention: failure of government to pay what it promised in a 4-year old agreement. As someone said, you do not retroactively negotiate what a worker has earned *after* he has earned it.

Thank you.

Full disclosure: I am an academic, and a (not-so-enthusiastic) ASUU member.

@Sincere 9gerian: I do not agree at all with the premise of your argument, which seems to be: "Negotiations cannot be all or NONE, like the current leadership of ASUU have been carrying on".

I think this is the crux of the matter. ASUU negotiated with the government in 2009 and the government signed an agreement. So please understand clearly that ASUU is not now negotiating with the government (at least, in a sane country, they wouldn't need to). What ASUU is asking for is what one should demand from any entity: that they honor their promises. I think it is disingenuous to try to recast the issue to look like ASUU making crazy demands. Is it crazy to ask someone to honor a promise he signed?

You also asked: "ASUU have been going on strike for like ages, but has that made the schools any better?". If that is a honest question, then I will give you the honest answer. Yes! It may be politically incorrect to suggest that something that causes damage/loss to others was worthwhile, but it happens. Despite the great cost, there were a few positives from the 2nd World War for example. So, yes, the ASUU strikes have cost the students a lot. But yes, they have DEFINITELY yielded results.

I assure you I am not just being partisan. I don't always agree with the union's stance. For instance, I don't see what business ASUU has with landed properties. Again, I think the pension idea is one that could come back to bite our collective behinds. I also totally hate the 70-year retirement idea. So, I have issues on which I do not agree with the union at all, but that does not change the main parameters of the current stand-off: the government signed an agreement and is trying all tricks to back off. If that is a sign of people with integrity, then there is something wrong with us as a people.

@OP, I refrained from replying your last post to me because I didn't quite know how to address the errors I note in your stance in a few words. However, I notice the vigor with which you are defending your stance, and so I feel I need to chip in again.

This is my view of your posts:
a) Underneath, there is a good message (our current educational system is not producing results)

BUT

b) Even though you deny it, there is an undertone of accusing the "white man" for this and other ills. This, for many of us, is a red flag, as it hints at the fact that you are a conspiracy theorist. Sure, the "white man" introduced many ills, but that should have nothing to do with the argument in (a), if indeed that is what you are doing.

c) I have not seen anything concrete you are advocating, rather than saying our education is not productive. You should note that you are not the first to realize this. In fact, most of us do. So, your saying it is not constructive. What would have been constructive is if you had specific proposals or ideas that you felt would take us forward.

Someone joked earlier that this is how Boko Haram started. Actually, he wasn't far off the mark. When you
a) identify an ill in a system
b) whip up strong passion against perceived ills
c) half-identify a nebulous entity to blame
d) but you do not suggest a way forward

the passion you whipped up in (b) becomes an explosive force that can be manipulated by evil people to do great harm. In other words, your intentions are noble, but my friend, be careful where you take this. My last words:

Talk is cheap. Either start stating SPECIFIC solutions or go back and do your homework.

@OP, you sound like someone who has a lot of passion, but I think your energies are being wasted on what appears to be some quixotic sentiments. You said: "Africa must stop food importation!"

Can I ask you this: HOW? Specifically how?

Thank you.

Let’s get something straight: ASUU strikes are not just time-wasting exercises mounted by some selfish old men bent on lining their pockets. The Nigerian system *is* getting better, and it is largely as a result of better funding fought for by ASUU. I will mention two examples.

First, more funding has meant slightly better facilities than in the recent past. For example, my university is often referred to as the best in the country ICT-wise. Being close to the action, I know that the main reason for this is that at a time when other universities were asleep, mine invested heavily (both financially and using international clout) in ICT. In other words, more money into the system usually leads to improvements. If truth be told, I am sure that most of you can mention a few recent improvements in your schools which came about due to some injection of funds. So, even though the intervention has not been up to the extent requested by ASUU, the recent struggles have yielded some fruit in that direction.

I'll preface my second point with a couple of questions. Do you think the future of Nigeria itself depends on excellent universities? Do you think that to have excellent universities, we need to employ THE VERY BEST minds as academics? Now, let me ask you, how many of the best students of your university do you know that want to teach? In simple terms, if you want the best minds to stay in the system, you have to pay them well. Sure, when *I* chose to lecture, money was not my primary motivation, but lets face facts here, I do not expect everyone to have whatever rosy ideals drove me. Some people just wanna get paid. Ask yourself, if you were the best student in Nigeria, would you chose to lecture? What I am saying is: lets forget rhetorics, to retain the best minds that this job requires, you need to pay lecturers well, otherwise, we will perpetually get stuck with second class minds, with just a few top minds who stick around just because they are apparently idealist fools - like me, if I may say so

Again, I can tell you that the recent struggles have yielded dividends here. The recent increases in salaries of academics has meant that, using my university as an example again, we are better able to attract young academics from close to the top of the pack than, say, 15 years ago. We still can't quite retain our actual best students, but we are getting there.

So, irrespective of your view of the current strike, whether you vilify ASUU or not, you should know that the system *is* improving. Slowly, but surely, we have been able to force a few improvements out of the government's hand. By the time the current strike is over, perhaps a few more of my students will think of me as a selfish lecturer, but I also know that we would (hopefully!) have been able to wrest a few more improvements from the hands of a clueless government.

On a parting note, think about this: a university in Nigeria was recently ranked as one of the top 10 in Africa for the first time ever. Sure, the real value of that ranking is open to debate, but make no mistake, it does mean something: our (at least some) universities are improving. Don't think that such improvements just happened; They are the fruits of struggles such as the one you are currently panning.

E go better.

Obiagelli: The only sensible post on this thread so far. Let the government fund the university adequately first and pay lecturers what the national assembly and executives earn, then we would see if they will sell handouts

Although I agree with the first part of your comment, I do not like the second part. Academics should please stop this habit of comparing themselves with national assembly members. It detracts attention from more important points. Whatever reason we have for doing this job should have nothing to do with what Senators earn.

@OP, as a lecturer, I agree totally with the spirit of your post. I do not wish to nitpick, so I won't state little disagreements I have with some points. Long story short, I'm all for the idea of government properly funding university education and then taking steps to ensure that academics deliver.

One gets really worried going through a thread like this. The level of hatred and distrust it reveals is shocking, as is the sort of reasoning I see on both sides of the aisle (Ibo or Yoruba).

I ordinarily do not like inserting myself into discussions such as this (I respect myself and others far too much), but I am worried seeing so much hate around.

If you love this country, or your tribe, please be more careful about insulting, generalizing and attributing negatives to other tribes. Doing such adds nothing to us as a people (or peoples), and only fans the flames of hatred that are getting so hot around the country.

I beg you in the name of whatever god you serve, think carefully before you submit that post.

lakesider: Who s forcing this people to lecture,if lecturing cannot pay your bill, please find other jobs that can .stop wasting peoples life

Every student has a right to finish his program on time. However, you don't need just *anybody* lecturing you. You want to actually be taught by someone who knows what he is saying. What's the point in being "taught" and graduating on time, only to join the body of graduates who cannot add any value to themselves or the nation?

My point is, yes, it doesn't have to be "this people" lecturing you. They can be fired, or find other jobs as you advise. However, whoever else does your teaching will need to be given the right incentives to do so, otherwise your education would be worthless. It would come on time, but it would be worthless. Trust me.

@peleson:
No, no, no...no. Your post shows a serious ignorance about what academics are supposed to do. Granted, I believe you reached those conclusions based on the lecturers in your school. I do agree with one of the sentiments hinted at in your post (more on that soon) but you're wrong on many counts.

First, "lecturers" are (where the system works; it does to some extent in my institution) actually NOT primarily teachers. Our primary function as academics is to create new knowledge, do research. Obviously, you'll complain that Nigerian academics have not been doing that. The causes and blame for that is another long discussion. However, lets not reduce the job of academics to just teaching as you imply.

The most obvious proof of the dysfunction in our tertiary institutions is the quality of our students. Its funny but you guys don't even realize what the bigger problem is. Nigeria's backwardness itself is actually caused by the same dysfunction. Simply put, Nigeria has NO HOPE of becoming developed unless it gets tertiary education right. I believe you know as well as I do that most of the important developments in the world have come from universities (and affiliated research institutions) that work. Go and check every single country that has emerged as a globally relevant entity in the last couple centuries and show me any one whose rise was not achieved on the strength of excellent tertiary education.

In short, an argument can be made that the fact that Nigeria's academics have not been able to rise to the challenge is the single most important reason why, as a country, we have not made much progress. Yes, in a place where universities function, academics are THAT important, not just teachers who work 12 hours a day as you suggest.

Where I sort of agree with you is: academics who need big salaries should walk; we didn't take this job to get rich. Howeveeeeer, having said that, what is happening here is not a clamor for increased salaries. I know it sounds so selfish when you hear "allowances", but the bulk of the money comes from:

a. "excess workload allowances" these are allowances that are given to lecturers who (and only those who) have to work overtime. Most departments are operated on less than half the number of lecturers that the NUC itself recommends. Effectively,one lecturer may end up doing the job of three people. Such guys get given some FRACTION of their salaries. I totally believe this a fair practice (otherwise, FG should hire the right number of lecturers) however, if this is dropped, I personally won't complain as long as the FG properly performs its responsibilities to help with our core function: research. This is where the other two allowances come in:

b. Funding to support the research of MSc and PhD students. For me, this is critical. Most of you who complain about your lecturers, its because some of those lecturers are not exposed. What is wrong in funding the research of your lecturers so they can better teach you and better carry out research that the country needs?

c. Allowances for supervisors and examiners for PG work.

I feel bad for students when they get grounded like this. Its part of of the tragedy of being born a Nigerian. However, we should all realize the importance of getting tertiary education functioning. Yes, by all means, lets chase out incapable/greedy/corrupt/inept lecturers, but know this: any chance this country has of socio-economic progress requires 100% a functional tertiary education system.

supereagle: ASUU and ASUP will combine well to give KESHI a good striking force in Supereagles. What does ASUU WANT again?

The same thing they asked for last time, which the government has *still* not done.

Just like every profession in the world, we have some black sheep in our ranks. I can understand the vitriol you're directing in our direction, but I think you should not be so hasty to generalize. Speaking for myself and a few people that I know, your post is a gross insult. Believe it or not, but there are many lecturers who work in this system just because they want to contribute what they can to building a better country. People to whom integrity is so important that it is YOU the students who turn around and say we're too "principled". Some of us are confident of the value that we bring to the table, and I for one can stand proudly in any forum globally because I can see the results of my work.

Now to the issue of strike: I have never been in support of strike actions, but I have come to the sad realization that our government is so dishonest, intransigent and immune to pressure of any other sort that we have no viable recourse. Believe me, if we had been faculty in the US, we would be able to use any number of other methods. Unfortunately, this being Nigeria, the only thing the government understands is "wahala".

I hope you will not be surprised if I tell you that the reasons for the strike action are the exact same reasons for the last two. After making an agreement and reneging and then eventually settling on another, the government has simply chosen not to honor that agreement.

It is easy to believe that all strike actions by ASUU end up being agitations for salary increase. Its a long story, but let me just say it isn't true. Again, speaking for myself, I do not see how much the Nigerian government can do that will make me believe that working here is better than any of the other options I have. All I ask is for them to *at least* give me a fighting chance to make some progress. I am even less concerned with the fact that external examiners for post-graduate exams - who often have to travel across the country - have not been paid (yes, the host universities try to raise the money on most occasions, but that's not what it was supposed to be). Part of the last agreement with the government was that they would provide funds to members of staff on MSc and PhD to shore up the quality of their research. Of course, that NEVER happened. Research funds about which much noise was made...poof...vaporware. Look, just dealing with the Nigerian government is tiring.

I should mention: I am not a "very ASUU" person o. I have my beef with the union, but facts are facts: our government is not serious about education.

Acidosis: ...and after all these demands, they won't stop harrasing their female students... begging them for s£ x, frustrating their lives just because the dangling rod between their legs won't let them rest...

Lol, I heard they've upgraded. Our Nigerian lecturers do not beg ladies again o... They now enforce their intimate demands..
The girl get a lodge, she pays the cash for the hotel room and then call the Mr I-will-die-without-s£ .x-Nigerian ASUU lecturer to come over...

What a f00lish union of old shameless men..

Rather than cut off the stick between their legs so they can impact the knowledge our generation needs.. They go about pursuing girls around campus, slashing their scores so they can put their useless rod to use...

You guys should watch out for my up coming thread!
Its going to be raw! Bloody! I've declared war against these lecturers s£. xturers!

It will be an open platform for Nigerian students to publish the full names and details of Lecturers demanding s. ex from female students.

I was in one of these campuses few days ago.. and I heard about 3 different issues on the same subject matter.. Mind you, these are the same Men demanding endless demands from GEJ..

They want the money.. They want the s. £x.. But I'm going to show them Hell..

We are not all f00ls

Nnanna nzewi: Hello my young developer,call me on 08038679044,I ll give u a laptop,u need to be encouraged.Just make sure u are true to yourself.thanks

-Ahem- hope you plan to verify that he's legit before doling out cash/kind...

Hey OP,I would like to throw in my 2c into the discussion.
By way of very brief introduction, lets just say I am someone who knows a bit about this kind of topic because I have been mentoring (outstanding) students in IT for more than a decade, and have mixed with students/developers, plus, I have viewed close-up a number of start-ups (not necessarily Nigerian ones).

I am afraid some people may misinterpret my comments so, lets get this clear up front: I am not discouraging you. I think it is great to have passion, and follow your dreams. I love creative people (I am a top-few-percentiles creative myself), so I can relate to your situation (and by the way, this means I also know a few dark secrets about the creative mind; it's usually undisciplined, leading you to think choosing not to do the "boring" right thing is okay, whereas you're simply not being disciplined),

However, I think there is a fundamental mistake you are making: you should face your education first. No, I'm not saying you should stop developing apps. Yes, I am saying you should CUT the time you spend on apps. You should focus on your academics because that is the only way you can fulfill your potentials. Any really creative endeavor is like building something complex from Lego bricks. The quality of what you can build depends on the quality of "Lego" bricks available to you. University education gives you far more sophisticated Lego bricks than any single person alone cam come up with. Why? It's the collection of "Lego" bricks from all the smartest minds in that area in history. Sure, you're a talented guy, but how are you going to do better than a guy is is just as talented as you are, but has gone through 4 years of a Computer Science BSc? That guy has learnt all the solid algorithms and ideas that computer science geniuses developed over the last few decades. Do you know what a lazy algorithm is? A greedy algorithm? I am sure you know a bubble sort. Note: I am not a CS guy, and these are the simplest algorithms in the world. There are hundreds more, and hundreds of important principles (spectral analysis? digital image processing? etc) that if you took time to learn, you would dramatically improve the quality of your "Lego" blocks.

You said "i thought of something that is needed in the society". I don't want to discourage you, but one of the things a university education gives is the ability to truly understand problems and cast them in a way that makes them amenable to solution. Smart as you may be, with the insight of hundreds of years of scientists and engineers which you get in university, you will better able to grapple with the problem of what is needed in society. Without those insights, you will know the problems, but your understanding and the solutions you propose might tend to be simplistic.

A major problem that leads talented people astray is cases like Bill Gates and other who dropped out of school. They seem to be "proofs" that all you need is talent and drive. Actually, to be really successful, you need talent, drive, discipline, luck, and a strong understanding of the fundamentals of the area you want to operate in (better obtained in school; can be obtained out of school, but takes many years in any case). Talent can help you start a good idea. However, a talented and well-trained CS guy will copy and better your solution in a heartbeat.

Sorry I am getting a bit off-point, but this is a very big topic, and I am only attempting to advise you because I never want to see a brilliant guy go astray.

I suppose I should summarize my advise: please focus on your academics. If you are an "IDEAS" person, you will always have ideas. I often say that at any point in time, I have in my head, at least 4 ideas each of which someone can possibly make a career at. Discipline is knowing when to wait till you are best qualified (or have the time) to bring your ideas to like. Let this one slide, while you focus on wringing the most you can from the university.

I am a lecturer in a Nigerian university. When I turned my back on the option of going abroad, and decided instead to stay in the Nigerian tertiary education system, I was full of hopes of what changes I could make. I was also keenly aware of the price I would pay in the long run: gradually losing ground to my peers who chose to migrate. I’m not even talking about financial grounds; I mean academic stagnation. I knew that my peers who chose to train and work in better systems would likely gradually leave me behind. However, I also knew that my field is so lucrative that if I allowed myself to go out, I would have to be crazy to come back and tie myself here in Nigeria. Now, it’s been quite a few years, and I sometimes ask myself whether the sacrifice has been worth it. I do not know the answer to that. I guess I’ll find out someday.

Along the way, I have acquired a few cherished ideas, and quite a few strong dislikes. One of the latter is the fact that as currently designed, our academic system “wastes” brilliant minds. The first day I sat in on a recitation for an undergraduate class by a particular MIT professor (at that time, I had completed my PhD and had been teaching for more than a decade) I actually wept. Right there, in front of my eyes, I saw what could have been for me. I saw what I could have molded with my innate strengths, challenged to the fullest in a university such as MIT. One of my strongest principles as a person is never to look back in regret. That day, I knew regret, and I couldn't stop it till I stopped visiting that class.

Each time I teach a class, I feel a deep pain because I cannot truly challenge the brilliant students in class. The Nigerian university system has so many average-to-weak students (created by our middling primary/secondary education and our flawed outlook on the whole concept of “work ethic”) that I can never move fast and hard enough to challenge the really good ones. Most of the smartest students in Nigeria coast along to good grades and First Class degrees, but I always get the sense that many of them are capable of much, much more. I wonder how many Einsteins have passed through my class that never found out what they were truly capable of. How many Eulers have I taught that are now counting money in a Nigerian bank? How many Teslas solved my simple equations and because I couldn't push them as hard as they could go, now live almost-fulfilled lives drilling black gold?

I have worked closely with students and faculty from universities around the world, including some of the world’s best institutions. There is something……exhilarating…stimulating about studying with people that, smart as you are, are a half-step ahead of you. You are challenged to up your game daily. You are tired and stressed, but you can see your bright future and your place in the world so clearly waiting for you that you push on even harder. I think we miss that in Nigeria.

Yes, we need to get more of the current types of universities so as to increase the carrying capacity of our system. Yes, we need so many things. But here’s my idea for you today: could we also have a university that focuses on only the very best students? Can we have a university that actively recruits the best students the way American athletics programs court students, and puts them through curricula that wring every last bit of ability from them? Can we have a university with only first-class-level students?
I see guys setting up private universities with all kinds of visions, but I can’t help but wonder: why are they all doing it the same way Where are the universities that want to produce graduates that are truly *DIFFERENT*?

Anyway, that’s my idea for you today. It may germinate in someone, it may not; I just wanted the idea out there. If you know anyone rich enough to do something about it, try sell the idea to him. It isn't as if such an idea is not financially sustainable. The sort of university I am describing will not just produce a string of super-successful graduates who are immediately ready to shake the world, but can also make the owner much richer. If you need more of my thoughts on this, you can get in touch with me and we can discuss.

Excuse, excuse, excuse, that's what so many Nigerians know how to do: give excuses. Me I don't see anything new in what "the EU" has said, or why it has spawned such arguments. Our country has many problems, but one that I see in every sector, every where is that as a people, we never like to take responsibility. Somebody else is always to blame. Everything must be handed to us. I am truly baffled by the ability of even the most intelligent Nigerians to descend to this level of reasoning. As a teacher in a Nigerian university (where we are supposed to have the most intelligent sets of Nigerians, se?) I see it all the time, and not just from the students!

You are obviously a young fool who rejected every attempt of their parents to train them. I am sorry I tried to reason with the likes of you. There is a particular level of civility below which I have decided not to descend, and it is certainly not an uncouth fellow like you that will make me change that (see? I take responsibility for my own actions).You may rail or rant as you please after this, in the assurance that I will not honor you with a response.

coogar: you are a product of 2 siblings that fell in love with each other.
fool, shut the hell up and if you don't know your rights have been taken from you then get a gun, aim at your tonsils and squeeze the trigger. you are probably too spastic to digest the implications of what the writer is saying. south africans locking nigerians out is the biggest insult ever to the so called giants of africa!


if you starve your citizens, it's only a matter of time before they resort to crimes.
won't these people eat, drink, pay bills? are you a recto-cranially inverted bastard? were you born feet first? are you not aware that these people are also educated and they migrated to south africa because your stüpid government cannot provide jobs for in nigeria?

Hello Mrs (or is it Mr) Coogar. Why don't you stop abusing people? It doesn't say much about the kind of person you are, you know. Blame the government all you like, but your very behavior is a good example of people being responsible for their actions. Abi na government make you abusive rather than engaging in civil debate?

My friend, every adult has to take responsibility for his actions. Nobody is arguing with you that the country is in a terrible mess, or that our leading class has failed us. However, how can you condone using that as an excuse to become involved in crime? Would *you* pick a gun and rob someone (possibly kill them) just because the government hasn't given you enough opportunities? Let's stop this blame-the-government-for-everything idea okay? Instead, look at people around you who are doing well (mind you, using legal means o) and ask yourself why those ones are able to thrive. You will find that they take responsibility for their own lives, rather than spending all day raining invectives on some guy riding Porshe Panamera in Abuja...

coogar: you are a disgusting psycophant!
what do you mean you cannot blame the government? who's meant to provide employment? make the country habitable? what's wrong with you idiotic nigerians who cannot call a spade what it is? why do you worship and celebrate mediocrity so much that you forget your senses with it?

are you saying if nigeria was like libya where there's electricity, good roads, portable water in every home, where citizens don't pay utility bills, where every newlywed gets $40,000 to start a family, the citizens would still migrate to shïtholes like south africa? you should dig your head out of your arsë and smell realism.

Atonto: At this point in time is not when Oga Editor at the top need to scold him. We all know that he Osaze has attitude problem but it is still manageable. Let leave him alone, he is an adult and will surely come to his senses and apologize if TRULY WRONG - Mind you he might be right in some way. Now everybody want to crucify him. He need our support to overcome what he is passing through. I wish the Editor understand. Being the biggest in 9ja does not mean you should help to ruin people career. Surely Osaze will overcome.

Don't underestimate how much damage the young man known as Osaze has done to his career. A few months ago here on Nairaland, some of us were stating the obvious: Osaze was undisciplined. Folks gave all kinds of excuses. Okay o. No be today them born us. No be him be this now? The child who insults his father in private will eventually 'graduate' to start barking at all authority figures in public, and will finally get dealt with the way his father refused to.

For those of you still defending him, you should start praying hard for him instead. There's still a lot of damage he could do to himself. He hasn't reached rock-bottom yet, although he seems intent on getting there through this his stupid twitter account. I hope he changes, but if he doesn't, and he finds his once-promising career gone, he will have no one to blame but himself...and those who refused to tell him the truth. Ogede n baje, won l'o n pon (the plantain is rotting away, yet you insist it is just getting ripe).

It seems some people don't get the point. Perhaps OP was not trying to do a treatise on mental illness. For someone who has clearly stated her problems about opening up her "true face" to the world, this write up is nothing short of therapy for OP. It is her way of defying the urge to keep it bottled up. You need to appreciate the courage she has displayed here. Some of the responses so far, while being intellectually sound, could be construed as being insensitive. I don't think there's any need to psychoanalyze her here. Before you post a response, try to put yourself in her shoes, and ask whether your post is likely to make her feel her "coming out" has been worth it, or whether your post simply justifies her normal urge to hide herself from the judgmental world.

OP, it is well with you. You will always have days when you doubt yourself; when those come around, just realize that none of us is truly in charge. We all just learn to accept ourselves and play to our strengths. Life has given you a big cross to carry, but you are carrying it with more grace than you think. You will be surprised how many people understand what you're going through. People are often just too concerned about what those around them will say to become associated with anything that is tainted by stigma. But when a champion comes along, they usually find their voice. Perhaps you are the the voice that people living with mental health challenges have been waiting for? Think about that, but while you do, don't forget, go out and have fun. People are often imperfect, cruel and untrustworthy, but in a perverse way, that's part of what stops life from being boring. Plus, of course, when you open up, you do occasionally meet people that make you happy to be alive. All the best.

Has the entire country gone mad? Nigerian politics has always been a theater of the absurd, but this? Waoh. That a sitting president can descend so low because he has to stay loyal to past benefactors? God. I really have no words. I could rant on this for hours and still not be able to communicate the depth of sadness, disgust, helplessness and ANGER I feel. Jonathan has made himself and the entire country a laughingstock.

And that people would come here and try to justify his action really turns by stomach. We shouldn't waste time to join issues with them because anyone who tries to justify Jonathan's current action by definition has taken leave of his senses (Sorry, I always try not to be abusive. In this case, I think I am merely stating a fact).

Through thick and thin, through multiple opportunities to abandon this sinking ship, I have always maintained hope, faith that this country would yet fulfill its potentials. I decided, at a great personal cost, to contribute directly to an important sector of the country. Jonathan has succeeded in doing what nothing else could do: at this moment, I have totally lost faith in this country.

I mean, what are we wasting time on? What are we trying to build, when at every turn, it's all rendered pointless? Why try, when someone like Abati who we thought for a time was a shining beacon can sell out and be part of this madness?

No more!

The problem stem from the fact that most of you appear to be unwilling or unable to accept any argument that threatens any preconceived notions you have. So anything that threatens the superiority of Yorubas or Ibos, or the "honor" of your legends (Awolowo or Zik or Achebe) makes you start foaming in the mouth.

Grow up people. Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo, Efik. Any tribe. There are good uns and bad uns. Just the way it is. There are smart ones and stupid ones. All the people you've mentioned: Achebe, Ademola whats-his-name, Awolowo, Akintola, they are all going to e right sometimes, and wrong sometimes. When you generalize, or refuse to consider the fact that your hero was wrong, it makes you look...unintelligent. Educated in that you attended classes.

Reading through the OP's write-up, I thought:
a. He was too hard on Achebe but
b. He backed MOST of his points with references I could check up, and clearly stated where he felt Achebe did otherwise. As an academic, that makes me give him the benefit of doubt.

Does that mean I now think Achebe is a fool/crazy codger with a bloody agenda/not worthy of respect? NO. It simply means the ball is in the court of Achebe and those who disagree with OP to tear his arguments to shreds with sound, evidence-based arguments. Then, i will agree that Op was spewing rubbish. It doesn't give license to people on either side of the divide to vent so much anger.

This has absolutely nothing to do with my tribe. It has everything to do with giving everyone a fair hearing and only after then, coming to my own conclusions.

TIMEOUT! TIMEOUT!

What is happening here is discouraging. The rudeness,tribalism and naked hatred on show here is really disappointing, and doubly so because all of you are obviously well-educated!

Look,the true proof that you are "educated" is that you can listen to other people's opinions and when they are not making sense, respectfully disagree. Otherwise, we're no better than a baboon trained to move a cursor on a PC. Yes, he has acquired some skills but his animal instincts still rule, and he wouldn't hesitate to pound the okra from the mouth of another male baboon encroaching on his turf (and that's something that apparently some of you would love to do to others).

Come people, you should be better than this. Achebe this, Achebe that. Yoruba this, Ibo that. It all doesn't matter if we are all this impolite because if "educated" Nigerians like yourselves cannot conduct a simple debate (accepted, its on a sensitive matter) without descending to rudeness and inability to engage with other people's arguments, this country has no future. And that won't be the fault of Ojukwu or Achebe or Awolowo. It will be your fault.

SHM...

OBJ.

Explanation: It depends on what you mean by best president. I can think of 3 different scenarios when it comes to our (past) leaders

1. Integrity: Yar Adua
Yar Adua was clearly a honest man who wanted to serve. Buhari and Shagari are also clearly honest men , but Yar Adua gets my nod here.

2. Ability to whip the people into shape: Buhari
Much has been said about Buhari's government. I should state however that whatever he was able to accomplish was because he governed within a strict military framework. One of my little problems with Buhari is the fact that time and again, he has demonstrated that he is not particularly diplomatic (and sadly, he occasionally makes remarks that should not be made by a leader of a multi-ethnic, multi-religious country).

3. All-round national growth and development: OBJ
I think OBJ wins this one by a long country mile. I agree that OBJ was *probably* as corrupt as other politicians. However, people do go to great lengths to demonize the man. People who say he stole so much from the power reforms don't seem to realize that as it is now, IF Nigeria's power sector sees any improvements, the genesis would always be traced to his government and the money they spent. Yes, we are still implementing the power plan that he put in place. Part of the money was stolen (as is usual in Nigeria) but to act like OBJ just pocketed one lump sum would be wrong.

It should be obvious that I lean towards the third criterion and so, yes, I think Olusegun Obasanjo is our best ever president. In fact, I would go as far as ranking his two different stints (pre-Shagari and the more recent less-than-three terms) as our best and second-best governments ever (based on my criterion).

Note: for me, Murtala Muhammed gets a grade of "incomplete". He died long before we had a chance so really gauge the man. Imagine if someone had assassinated IBB six months into his government,

@outstrip
Lets not mix two different things. I never said the boy (man) should be pampered. In fact I said little about how he should be handled on a personal level because we simply do not have enough information. I only complained about your judgmental attitude towards his parents. 

I fully agree with you that people *need* to see every side to an issue. I also think you are a smart person and generally have not been really uncivil to anyone.

However, I fear that this sub-thread (unfortunately including this post of mine, which I will try to delete after some time) runs the risk of distracting from the highly important issue on ground. I urge you to agree to disagree with those of us who have one issue or the other with your stand, and lets focus on the main issue: how can this young man get back on track?

Thank you.

@Outstrip
You do not need to be rude na. How can you say of a mother of 7 asking for advise: "The parents are not serious minded either". It's all the more painful because YOU ARE WRONG!

I have been a lecturer for a few years now (ahem) and I can count on my digits the number of parents that have actually come up to me for regular updates of their children's performance , especially in cases like these in which the child seems OK academically (note his WAEC and UME results?). So please get off your high horse. If you have advice, spill it, if not, leave things you know little about alone.

@OP
People have tried to be helpful but please note this: we are all trying to psychoanalyze a boy based on a few paragraphs of info. We're basically shooting in the dark, I will try to be brief because this subject is one that usually requires long discussions with academic advisers.

1. You should not force your child to do something he does not like
2. However, sometimes, due to the wisdom that comes from being older, you may "know" that a particular path he is treading is not as good as alternatives (for example, if you ask me, for reasons I can't go into now, Open university is not a good idea)
3. In such situations, if you try to convince him by yourself, he won't bulge. You will risk pushing him away from you.
4. I suggest you find someone in academic or IT circles that he respects or could respect. instead of advising him yourself, help yourself by trying to make sure that at least he's listening to advise from people who  know what they are talking about.
5. His case is not as unusual as you (or he!) might think
6. Whatever else you do, try to avoid either of two extremes: pushing him away or making every talk a change "to help him repair his life" VERSUS pretending everything is rosy and completely avoiding the issue. He's no kid, and will hate either extrems.
7. Once again, nobody would hope to offer mush help on this kind of issue using a few paragraphs. I have engaged students on similar discussion for months and even after that, success is unfortunately not assures.
8. Best of luck.  I admire you for looking for help for your kid in every possible forum. Keep at it, and he WILL thank you for it WHEN (not if!) he makes it.

Please does anyone know the prices of the 2011 Hyundai models just announced by Hyundai Nigeria? I'm particularly interested in the Accent.

Thanks.

@Aikuda
I don't understand you at all. Osaze has apologized? Where? In the press? And who's talking about equating them to father-son? You yourself said they're professionals. Yes they are, although Osaze's behavior certainly makes one wonder whether the term applies. The question is, are they peers or equalsNO. One is the boss and the other a player under him. There is a chain of command. Someone has broken it. The reason for the break is not cos of irresponsibility on part of said boss; its a player deciding to exercise his free will to walk in spite of coaches decision (by the way, let me remind you, he was NOT injured; he destroyed Liverpool a few days later) WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH SPEAKING OUT FOR THE TEAM'S INTEREST AS YOU INSINUATE

Let me make it real simple: Subordinate indisciplined. Refuses to apologize. This is now a tussle between said subordinate and boss. Failure to apologize equals disrespect for boss.Interference undermines boss's authority with said player and future rebels.

What about this do you not get??