Don Says Nigeria’s Educational System Source of Backwardness

By Hilary Akalugwu
Nsukka

Prof Joseph Onuoha says that Nigeria’s educational assessment system which focuses only on the head instead of the whole human being had led to the nation’s backwardness in social development.

Onuoha said Nigeria is in doldrums because of this deficit in educational system which does not improve its students’ social development capacity.

Onuoha said this in Nsukka on Thursday while delivering the university’s 219th inaugural lecture titled: “Where? Why? and How? Understanding the Socio-economic Problems of Nigeria.”

Onuoha, a Lecturer at the Department of Social Science Education, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) said education which is the bedrock of development is a failure if it does not engender social development. 

“Overhauling the Nigerian educational system would make graduates job creators instead of job seekers.

“Nigeria needs value reorientation as people now believe that education is a scam because graduates go about looking for white-collar jobs that are not there, ” he said.

He said many of the country’s critical socioeconomic problems are man – made and could be overcome if confronted with right solutions and right attitude.

The don emphasised overhauling of the education system to nurtur innovation and creativity and using technology to optimise governance and accountability in education sector.

“Harnessing human capital development and advancing public private partnership (PPP) in education can be a starting point.

“To achieve this, all hands in the country must be on deck,” he said.

Onuoha noted that the country was at crossroad facing myriads of socioeconomic challenges that have hindered national development as result of corruption.

“The prevalence of corruption, insecurity, economic instability, moral decadence have significantly affected our national existence including education,’ he said.

He said part of the reason the country is where its today was because of failure of the education system which remained the bedrock of national development in any country.

“Education is the bedrock of national development in any country yet education in our country has been marred by systemic failures

“Education in our country is characterised by outdated curriculum, poor teaching methods, poor assessment methods, poor reading habits, poor infrastructure as well as poor salary and welfare of teachers,” he said.

The inaugural lecturer noted that for Nigeria to exit its present education problems, the sector must produce graduates equipped with the required skills, values and knowledge necessary for national development and growth.

“To achieve this, I suggest we use the ONUOHA model for sustainable development.

“Overhauling the education system, Nurturing innovation and creativity,
Utilising technology in education, optimising governance and accountability in education, Harnessing human capital development and advancing Public Private Partnership (PPP) in education,” he said

Onuoha expressed appreciation to management of UNN for finding him worthy to deliver the 219th inaugural lecture of the university.

He expressed special thanks to God who made him to be alive.

The lecturer expressed gratitude to his wife and Mother whom he said had always supported and prayed for him.

He extended his appreciation to his faculty and department as well as all and sundry who contributed one way or the other to make the event successful.

Earlier in a remark, the Acting Vice-chancellor of UNN, Prof Oguejiofo Ujam, said that the inaugural lecture of the University remained an avenue to educate the university community and general public on vital issues.

The VC who was represented by Prof Chike Ofuebe, the Chairman, UNN Senate Ceremonial Committee described Onuoha as an erudite and intellectual giant who had contributed immensely in his chosen field of specialisation.

The highlight of the occasion was the presentation of a certificate of Inaugural Lecture to Prof Onuoha as the 219th Inaugural Lecturer of UNN.

Our Correspondent reports that, the inaugural lecture was well attended by the university community, Abia State indigenes where the inaugural lecturer comes from, as well as people from different walks of life.