In the 60s, 70s, 80s…we produced a near perfect Republic. Back then, one often wondered, will the future generations keep it? Or will they in their enjoyment of plenty lose sight of what is important? Material abundance without sound learning is the surest way to destruction of that which was built. One trembles for our country, Nigeria, when one reflects upon the sorry state of education today.
We are a wealthy nation, yet so poor, because the very foundation of sustainable wealth, which is education, is badly fractured; and little or no attention is paid to treat that fracture. When the very limbs that keep a nation running are broken, the nation crawls, while others run ahead. Countries that want to become great have learned that economic dominance is predicated upon the creation of a system of high-quality education.
An educated population is an essential prerequisite for national prosperity. Nearly all of the countries that have long been the wealthiest in the world reached and maintained that status by having a strong commitment to quality education. Even the most resource-poor countries of Northern and Western Europe have enjoyed much higher living standards than many resource-rich countries that do not devote themselves to educating their young people.
A Taiwanese diplomat recently wrote that “Taiwan’s economic achievement is based on education. We believe that education is the bedrock of a nation’s competitiveness.”
When citizens are learned, they are more productive, and are able to contribute to the economy in ways that benefit the nation far beyond the salaries they receive. They also become much less likely to need public assistance, to commit criminal acts, and so on. This is called “positive externalities,” because so many of the good things that education creates are also enjoyed by others; by people who are “external” or outside of the individuals ‘in government’ who decide how much money to spend on education.
It’s great that Nigeria offers free education in our public schools, only it can be better, considering the poor state of affairs prevalent in these schools. ‘No child left out’ is a good thing, actually a fantastic policy, but only when properly funded and applied effectively. Hence, it is important for our people, acting together through the government, to increase the amount of spending on education beyond what individuals and families would choose to spend on their own, in order to richly educate our young people… our future leaders.
Ignite Africa 