By Ibrahim Shelleng
As we navigate the intricate tapestry of Nigeria’s economic landscape, a profound concern emerges. We witness it everyday but typically turn a blind eye to it as it has become ingrained in our actions and attitudes – the lurking shadow of mediocrity. This pervasive issue holds back our nation’s progress, stunts its growth, and undermines its potential to flourish. Mediocrity, often camouflaged as complacency, is a formidable foe in our quest for economic prosperity. It stealthily permeates education, infrastructure, governance, and beyond, weakening the very fabric of progress. In my previous article, we discussed the benefits of meritocracy and why it is pertinent for economic growth. In this article, let’s examine the economic cost of mediocrity in Nigeria, exploring its impacts on the education system. By understanding the consequences of accepting mediocrity, we can collectively work towards a brighter future for Nigeria.
The Unseen Cost of Mediocre Education
Education serves as the foundation for any thriving society, and Nigeria is no exception. However, the state of education in the country leaves much to be desired, certainly at the publicly-funded institutions. With an ever decreasing Federal government budgetary allocation to education since 2015, this has undoubtedly exacerbated the issues in the sector. Mediocre education systems hinder the development of skilled human capital, limiting individual growth and societal progress.
One of the most significant economic costs of mediocre education is the loss of productivity. A skilled and educated workforce is essential for driving innovation and economic development. Unfortunately, the economic cost of mediocrity is evident in the unrealized potential of our youth, the missed opportunities for technological advancement, and the stunted economic diversification that results from an inadequately trained workforce.
Moreover, a subpar education system perpetuates a cycle of poverty. Children from disadvantaged backgrounds, unable to access quality education, face limited opportunities for upward mobility. Consequently, these individuals are more likely to remain trapped in low-income jobs, exacerbating income inequality and hindering overall economic growth.
Strangling Human Capital Development
At the heart of any nation’s prosperity lies its human capital – the collective knowledge, skills, and abilities of its people. When mediocrity infiltrates the education system, it cripples the formation of human capital. Our students are denied the opportunity to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial skills that are essential for thriving in the modern global economy.
Nigeria faces a shortage of skilled professionals caused by a potent combination of poor training & professional development and even poorer retention strategies, which affects various sectors such as healthcare, engineering, and technology. As a consequence, we witness a significant brain drain, where our best and brightest seek educational and professional opportunities abroad. Our Doctors, Engineers and Techbros (..and sis) are all being lured to relatively well-played jobs in the UK, USA and Canada. Nigeria ultimately loses out and this dearth of expertise contributes to a loss of talent, slower economic growth, and reduced competitiveness on the global stage.
A Missed Demographic Dividend
Nigeria’s demographic structure presents both a challenge and an opportunity. With a youthful population, we possess the potential for a demographic dividend – a phenomenon where a large working-age population can drive economic growth. Check out the link to read more about this phenomena (https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/fandd/2006/09/basics.htm).
However, mediocrity in education threatens to transform this potential into a demographic disaster. Inadequately educated young adults face limited employment prospects, leading to widespread unemployment and underemployment. A young Nigerian going through the public university system will on average spend 6 years completing a 4 year course due to incessant strike by the powerful Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), caused by continuous pay disputes. This not only stalls economic growth but also fuels social unrest, perpetuating a cycle of instability that hampers progress. The scourge of youth unemployment and underemployment is tackled in a previous article (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/idle-bodies-minds-unemployment-nigeria-ibrahim-shelleng/?trackingId=f%2BCPTx5vRLiypMpQ8goCrQ%3D%3D).
Investment vs. Cost: Rethinking Priorities
Some may argue that addressing the issue of mediocrity in education is a costly endeavour. However, we must shift our perspective from short-term expenses to long-term investments. The economic cost of mediocrity far outweighs the initial financial outlay required to revamp our education system. By investing in quality education, we pave the way for a more skilled workforce, enhanced innovation, and sustainable economic development. It is imperative for policy makers to view education as a strategic investment rather than an expenditure.
This may be an unpopular opinion, but Nigeria does not necessarily need to be churning out more graduates, especially in strategically irrelevant fields. That is not to say that certain courses are irrelevant but rather, for the country’s stage of development, are not as strategically important.
What is needed is a focus on primary and secondary education and government investment in education should be majorly concentrated in those areas. A young adult armed with a solid secondary education is able to learn a skill/trade, join the labour market and become productive. We need young people in agriculture, construction, healthcare, manufacturing etc. They not only have youthful energy on their side, but are not as burdened with family responsibilities and their morale has not been degraded from years of toiling. The theory is that the earlier they start earning, the more invested they will be in Nigeria’s development.
Tertiary education globally is expensive and the best institutions remain highly competitive. That in itself maintains both the prestige and quality of output of the institutions, as they attract the best global talent.
There is a wonderful opportunity for tertiary institutions in Nigeria to reclaim their standing in the continent and become elite research institutions for the continent. However, this can only be done by government releasing its shackles and allowing private funding to take over. A social enterprise model backed by endowment funds, whereby the institutions can charge competitive tuition fees, offer world class facilities and research, and attract some of the brightest minds in Africa and beyond, can set the pace for developing intellectual excellence within the continent. African solutions to African problems. The government may now set up scholarships/sponsorships for strategically relevant fields (e.g. STEM) to encourage the best talents within those fields. The creation of the Access to Higher Education Act, 2023, otherwise known as students loan Act, is a step in the right direction. However, some modalities may need to be fine tuned to make it accessible to those who need it the most.
Fostering Collaboration for Change
The responsibility of transforming Nigeria’s education sector does not rest solely on the shoulders of policy makers. It requires a collaborative effort involving educators, parents, businesses, and civil society. By forging partnerships, we can bridge the gaps that perpetuate mediocrity, ensuring that educational reforms are holistic, effective, and sustained. Additionally, businesses can contribute by supporting vocational training, apprenticeships, and research initiatives that align with industry needs, creating a symbiotic relationship between education and economic growth.
Inspiring a Culture of Excellence and Innovation
Improving the quality of education is paramount. Investing in teacher training, updating curricula, and providing access to modern educational resources will equip the next generation with the skills needed to thrive in the global economy. Education cannot continue to be politicized. The continuous lowering of JAMB cut off marks and creating regional disparities underlies part of the issues. It fosters mediocrity, which leads to exponential socioeconomic problems. The doctor/engineer/scientist etc. that was allowed to graduate despite being both academically and technically subpar, but to fulfill “Federal Character”. They will carry that same mediocrity into professional practice and left unchecked by a system that cares little for accountability, will have people’s lives in their hands.
Growing up as a Nigerian in the 80s and 90s, there seemed to be more of a collective consciousness in the pursuit of excellence. It showed in our publicly-funded primary and secondary educational institutions that taught children from all spheres of society. The children of the “haves” and the “have nots” all joined together in a melting pot that did not distinguish between social classes but rather the quality of output. If you were 1st in exams, there was usually no doubts amongst your peers. You had earned it. Sadly, that is not the case today. If you are not lucky enough to have parents/guardians that can afford an increasingly expensive private education, then you are at the mercy of a neglected public education system. Those that produce amazing academic results are often viewed with suspicion as we no longer trust that the decaying system could possibly churn out talent.
The economic cost of mediocrity in Nigeria’s education sector is a burden we can no longer afford to bear. The potential for transformation lies within our grasp, waiting to be harnessed through a commitment to quality education. By nurturing a generation of critical thinkers, problem solvers, and innovators, we can unlock the doors to economic prosperity, technological advancement, and social progress. Let us rise above the constraints of mediocrity, embracing a future where education is the cornerstone of a thriving and vibrant Nigeria. The time for change is now, and the choice is ours to make.
