Education, the tool for nation building.

Isa Emmanuel

The more that you read, the more things you will know, the more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” —Dr. Seuss 

It is a privilege to be born and raised in the Middle-belt part of Nigeria, where I have to look around my society and discover that education is not valued.

It can not be denied that education is the bedrock of every society, let's look at some of the world power countries. The United States of America is famous and highly valued for its technological advancements and contributions to the world, China is respected and valued for its contributions to commerce and production, and Great Britain is greatly respected for its reliable and strong legal system which has become a second home for young Nigerian lawyers to migrate to have a substantial working experience. This brings us to the big question, what is Nigeria and any African country contributing globally to technological advancements and other substantial developments?

It is sad because Africans are looking for opportunities to migrate to the Western world to have a better life. The world is looking for people that are good at what they do not only physically, but can be mentally and intellectually prepared to undertake whatever tasks that they have been assigned. 

The estimated percentage of illiteracy in Nigeria is 31% as of 2022 (business day. ng). It cannot be farfetched that persons who fall under this category contribute to the problems that we are experiencing as a society such as; theft, cultism,  terrorism, etc. 

These are people who have great potential and are unable to showcase the intellectual aspect of their lives as a result of so many circumstances such as; poverty, lack of enlightenment on the importance of literacy, etc.

Education creates opportunities for self-mastery of skills which can bring employment and create opportunities for the transmission of knowledge. Society exists as a mental concept, in the real world there are only individuals. These individuals consist of different shades and personalities attributes which either benefit and foster growth in the society or can hinder growth and promote chaos.

As a growing society, it is now the responsibility of the government and other public stakeholders to help enlighten and create opportunities for people who are underprivileged to showcase their skills and to promote education by building facilities and enabling an environment that is affordable and furnished with great services. 

Education has never been limited to only a particular gender or a certain class of society alone. Some women most especially in rural vicinities are often denied the chance to go to school even if they're opportune to go According to Mustardinsights.com, 16.7% of Nigerians end their education at the secondary school level. Tertiary education is where dreams are gradually manifesting due to the nature of various fields of study. It is sad to see young girls given out on early marriage while they have dreams of becoming great people in various professional fields. 

Finally, "One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.” (Malala Yousafzai). It is time for Nigeria to rise and take its place in the global market and world innovations. Dreams have been put on hold as a result of the school fees in the Nigerian Federal Universities. Education has been made for the bourgeois class. 

Nigeria must be revived. Northern women must go to school. Education should be for everybody and not just some people.

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