Roman Oseghale gave a very interesting presentation at The Platform on May Day. It was premised on a simple argument. Countries that invest in human capital development boost productivity and per capital income as they grow their GDP. The most advanced economies in the world are knowledge economies as they own 98% of patents in America. Africa only has 2%. Up to 1981 Roman established that Nigeria's investment in education and per capital income exceeded that of a number of Asian countries but when they saw the light and increased their spending on education exponentially over the years, ours stayed flat averaging at 0.8% of GDP per annum over 44 years when the UN recommendation is a minimum of 5% of GDP. The result at both ends of the table is clear.
But this post is not really about what is happening nationally but regionally in Nigeria. The South West had an edge educationally in Nigeria before which is why you find that in academics, corporate business and professionals they have an edge. But over the last decade, something is happening as the South East and South South, going by the performance of students in major exams, have slowly but surely overtaken the South West. The poor investment in education by the North is also there for us all to see and not just the North but the entire country is bearing the brunt of it. Emir Sanusi's advocacy to change the status quo is timely and very much in order.
The problem of the South West started unfortunately with free education rather than qualitative education. In the past, westerners sold properties to send their children to school at home and abroad. Education was valued but unfortunately has now been grossly devalued and there is a price to pay. It is no surprise that the South East and South South where we can see clear improvement have been practicing qualitative education. When I listened to Peter Obi the other day and what he did as Governor of Anambra state, it is clear that the performance of the state in WASC Examinations is no coincidence. Part of the challenge of literacy and no education is that what is trending is not the profound things he said but how many wristwatches he has. It is disheartening that even a Presidential spokesman, not party spokesman, will engage in this frivolity.
Apologies for that digression but it was necessary. We need to develop the capacity of our children to think and imagine new possibilities and this can only come through qualitative education. Every family must take this serious. Why spend a fortune on nursery, primary and secondary education in over priced schools but not want to pay a commensurate tuition in a government owned tertiary institution? Those schools need funding to be able to offer qualitative education that liberates the mind and produces productive graduates. We need to rethink our educational system, fast!
The key to our success as a nation is our people and we must invest in them. On CNN a few days back, the President of Mauritius was asked why her country is averaging a 4% growth as the economies of a number of African countries dependent on mineral resources are in decline or recession? Her response was simply, "we are building a knowledge economy". The earlier we start doing the same the better. 2019 is not so far away, hopefully, this time we will spend more times listening to and analyzing party manifestos rather than engage in trifles.
May 2017.. It was premised on a simple argument. Countries that invest in human capital development boost productivity and per capital income as they grow their GDP. The most advanced economies in the world are knowledge economies as they own 98% of patents in America. Africa only has 2%. Up to 1981 Roman established that Nigeria's investment in education and per capital income exceeded that of a number of Asian countries but when they saw the light and increased their spending on education exponentially over the years, ours stayed flat averaging at 0.8% of GDP per annum over 44 years when the UN recommendation is a minimum of 5% of GDP. The result at both ends of the table is clear.
But this post is not really about what is happening nationally but regionally in Nigeria. The South West had an edge educationally in Nigeria before which is why you find that in academics, corporate business and professionals they have an edge. But over the last decade, something is happening as the South East and South South, going by the performance of students in major exams, have slowly but surely overtaken the South West. The poor investment in education by the North is also there for us all to see and not just the North but the entire country is bearing the brunt of it. Emir Sanusi's advocacy to change the status quo is timely and very much in order.
The problem of the South West started unfortunately with free education rather than qualitative education. In the past, westerners sold properties to send their children to school at home and abroad. Education was valued but unfortunately has now been grossly devalued and there is a price to pay. It is no surprise that the South East and South South where we can see clear improvement have been practicing qualitative education. When I listened to Peter Obi the other day and what he did as Governor of Anambra state, it is clear that the performance of the state in WASC Examinations is no coincidence. Part of the challenge of literacy and no education is that what is trending is not the profound things he said but how many wristwatches he has. It is disheartening that even a Presidential spokesman, not party spokesman, will engage in this frivolity.
Apologies for that digression but it was necessary. We need to develop the capacity of our children to think and imagine new possibilities and this can only come through qualitative education. Every family must take this serious. Why spend a fortune on nursery, primary and secondary education in over priced schools but not want to pay a commensurate tuition in a government owned tertiary institution? Those schools need funding to be able to offer qualitative education that liberates the mind and produces productive graduates. We need to rethink our educational system, fast!
The key to our success as a nation is our people and we must invest in them. On CNN a few days back, the President of Mauritius was asked why her country is averaging a 4% growth as the economies of a number of African countries dependent on mineral resources are in decline or recession? Her response was simply, "we are building a knowledge economy". The earlier we start doing the same the better. 2019 is not so far away, hopefully, this time we will spend more times listening to and analyzing party manifestos rather than engage in trifles.
May 2017.