12/09/2024
HOW DO WE CONVINCE OUR YOUTHS THAT EDUCATION IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS?
"How do we convince our Youths that Education is the KEY to Success when we are surrounded by Poor Unemployed/Underemployed Graduates & Rich Criminals?" – Jonathan K. Ajuma
This question captures a painful irony at the heart of Nigeria’s current educational and social crisis. For generations, formal education has been promoted as the primary route to personal and professional success. Yet, for many Nigerian youth, the reality is starkly different. They see graduates struggling with unemployment and underemployment, while others who have chosen a different path - one not grounded in ethical or lawful conduct - appear to thrive financially. In other words, this question brings to light a glaring contradiction within Nigeria’s educational and social landscape. For decades, formal education has been championed as the surest path to success. However, many Nigerian youths are growing increasingly disillusioned with this notion. They witness graduates, even those who finish at the top of their class, struggling to find work, while others with no formal education but questionable ethics accumulate wealth and prestige.
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THE HARSH REALITY FOR NIGERIAN GRADUATES
One of the most disheartening realities is that even first-class graduates often find themselves working well below their capacity, waiting for a break - often in the form of a scholarship from a Western university or an opportunity with an organization in the diaspora. These scholarships or international job opportunities have become lifelines for many, providing the chance to escape a stagnant local economy and fulfill their potential.
However, not all first-class and second-class upper graduates are fortunate enough to secure such opportunities, some got it at first try, some applied 20+ times before getting it, and some didn’t get it at all. Many find themselves stuck, despite their impressive qualifications, and efforts, facing an endless cycle of underemployment or unemployment. Meanwhile, doctors and other professionals leave the country daily, driven away by poor working conditions and inadequate pay. This mass exodus of talent, known as “brain drain,” further diminishes the prospects for those who remain, contributing to a vicious cycle of despair and frustration.
THE CONTRAST WITH POLITICAL ELITE
What makes this situation even more unbearable for young people is the stark contrast between their struggles and the apparent ease with which the political elite flourish. While graduates hustle and face countless rejections, politicians smile to the bank, drawing large salaries and allowances with minimal accountability. This disparity fuels a sense of injustice and feeds into the growing belief that success in Nigeria is not determined by education or merit but by whom you know or how much you can bend the rules.
REASSERTING THE IMPORTANCE OF FORMAL EDUCATION (A CALL FOR A RENEWED COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION)
Yet, despite these harsh realities, we must not lose sight of the fact that formal education still holds value. It remains a vital tool for personal development, critical thinking, and civic engagement. Education enables individuals to understand their rights, demand accountability, and push for societal change.
To rebuild trust in education, we must acknowledge these systemic issues and work collectively to address them. This means reforming our educational curriculum to better match the needs of the modern labor market and actively promoting a culture of meritocracy in both public and private sectors. Moreover, we must offer more robust support for graduates through skills development, mentorship programs, and initiatives that provide practical work experience. We must also celebrate and elevate stories of success achieved through education - of individuals who, despite the odds, have leveraged their formal education to make meaningful contributions in various fields. These examples serve as powerful reminders that education is not just about personal gain but is also a tool for societal impact.
CONCLUSION
We cannot deny the challenges facing Nigerian graduates today, nor should we dismiss the disillusionment many feel. However, abandoning formal education is not the answer. Instead, we must focus on creating a fairer system, one where hard work and education are genuinely rewarded. By fostering an environment where graduates can thrive based on their merit and abilities, we can begin to restore faith in education as a true key to success. This effort is not just about individual achievement; it is about building a stronger, more equitable society where every young person has the opportunity to reach their full potential. In effect, while the present reality poses tough questions, the answer does not lie in abandoning formal education but in reforming the systems around it. By fixing the broken link between education and success, we can inspire the next generation to pursue learning with the confidence that it will indeed open doors, create opportunities, and, ultimately, build a more equitable and prosperous society. Subscribe to my weekly newsletter on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7239935427443347458
