The fact that Nigeria's educational system is in chaos is no longer news. The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) proposes that states and the federal government devote a minimum of 26% of their annual budgets to education.
The federal government's greatest point was 11% (during Abdudalam Abubakar's military regime), whereas the civilian government of Yar'Adua and Goodluck Jonathan, the first set of graduates to control this country, was only 7.2 percent.
Budgetary allocations to education have remained below the rates mentioned above. This translates to a significant underfunding of education.
Many other issues have arisen as a result of inadequate funding. These include: university libraries that are overcrowded and lack relevant and up-to-date texts and journals; hostels, classrooms, and lecture theatres that are overcrowded and thus unhealthy to live or learn in; laboratories that still lack the necessary equipment, chemicals, and reagents; and teaching hospitals that are merely consulting institutions with no necessary equipment, drugs, or other materials.
They are now graduating low-quality, half-baked doctors, and lecturers are working without offices, housing, or other benefits like as research funds, laptops, publication/conference allowances, and cars.
It also means that the problem of brain drain will persist, and school administrators will be unable to obtain necessary materials for the system's effective and efficient operation. This means that water and power will continue to be in short supply, as well as inadequate sanitation.
The implementation of the Integrated Payroll and Personal Information System (IPPIS), with all its concomitant issues, has recently aggravated the crises. It was flatly rejected by ASUU.
Other university unions that rapidly enrolled in the scheme have written to the federal government to inform them that they will no longer participate. Some Vice Chancellors intended to use IPPIS to gain favor with the federal government or to prove their supremacy or ego to local ASUU leaders.
Today, everyone is aware of the scheme's non-payment, underpayment, and serious anomalies. My message to the members of ASUU is straightforward.
Learn to obey your union, make sacrifices for it, and put up with some discomfort in the process. Above all, don't be administrative rubber stamps. Avoid overuse and the "dump" phenomenon.
Have some respect! Serious academics should not be cheap, and even if they are, they should not be cheap and condescending.
University lecturers were not given wages for 9 months, 6 months, and 4 months at various times during military administrations. They didn't perish. And it will go on indefinitely until they reach their goal and the desired level.
Students will continue to protest, academic and non-academic employees will strike, the school system will be disrupted, and we will continue to produce low-quality or "handout" graduates if the school system is not adequately funded.
Our graduates are also regarded as illiterates who have received an education. Underfunding impacts all stages of education, including primary, secondary, and university, resulting in the expansion of private educational institutions and I hope the government do something about it very fast before there will be nothing left to be saved in Nigeria's educational system.
NOTE: ALL IMEAGES WERE CAPTURED WITH MY PHONE CAMERA
So sad this situation is lingering up to this point. I hope your government does something about this soon.
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