There is serious trouble in Nigeria’s education system, and many people are pointing fingers at universities. However, the real problem begins at the ground level — inside our primary and secondary schools.
In many parts of the country, children transition from class to class without mastering the fundamentals. Some cannot read or write well, yet they are pushed forward. By the time they reach university, the damage is already too much, and lecturers are expected to perform magic. Education experts have warned that the poor quality of basic education is affecting everything. When students do not receive proper training early on, they often graduate with little to offer in the job market. Employers complain, universities get blamed, but the real wahala started in the classrooms of primary and secondary schools.
One expert who has spoken extensively on this matter is Professor Moses Ochonu, a Nigerian based in the US. He said Nigeria continues to spend a small amount of money on the most important part of education — the foundation. He believes the country must face the root of the problem if we want to see real change.
According to him, it is not just about money, but how we use it. Teachers must be well-trained, well-paid, and held responsible. If the foundation is strong, universities will suffer less. Currently, many public schools are overcrowded, under-equipped, and lacking motivated teachers. Until the government takes this issue seriously, Nigeria’s education system will continue to wobble like a table with broken legs.
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