In September 2014, Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy and “Giant” once again saw a decline in world ratings. This time it was the Global Competitiveness Report which saw the country drop to 127th position in the Global Competitiveness Index (GDI) released by the World Economic Forum (WEF) ranked Nigeria 127th out of 144 Nations in its last released Global Competitiveness Index. Last year, Nigeria was ranked 120th.
The Global Competitiveness Report accesses the competitive landscape of 144 economies, providing insights into the drivers of their productivity and prosperity. It remains the most comprehensive report of national competitiveness worldwide, providing a platform for dialogue between government, business and civil society about the actions required to improve prosperity. (WEP)
“It is often not that a man can make opportunities for himself. But he can put himself in such shape that when or if the opportunities come he is ready” – Theodore Roosevelt.
In order to ensure continuous standardization of the academic programmes being offered in institutions, Nigeria Universities Commissions (NUC) takes it as her responsibility to send accreditation teams to Degree-awarding institutions. Last week, it was the turn of University of Ibadan to host this highly dreaded team.
For few weeks prior to the visit date, many departments, especially those in the faculty of Agriculture and Forestry went through various levels of sanitation, renovations and upgrade. This act was quite commendable as it adorned departments with a better deserving facelift and serenity.
Students suddenly turned into cleaners and janitors as witnessed in some departments, others went as far as displaying various previously unused equipments and lab materials, just to deceive the visiting team. These same equipments have never been made available to students prior to that day. Most students don’t even know their department had such stock.
Reports revealed that Nigerian students pay a whooping N155billion yearly to schools in neighboring Ghana. This isn’t ought to be and calls for a sober reflection into checkmating what exactly is wrong with our education system.
Is it the Government for failing to fund the schools, the lecturers for using obsolete lecturing materials and or the students for silently bearing the brunt? The known truth remains that the education sector is burning high on a mountain and requires every sane individual to grab a bucket filled with water to quench it.
To all those who will be admitted to different degrees (B. Sc, M. Sc, M. Phil and PhD) this week during the convocation, we hope you will show the world that you were groomed to feed the world and you are worthy in character.
Wishing best of luck in your future endeavours
