Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has sounded the alarm on Nigeria’s education system, calling it a major contributor to the country’s underdevelopment and sky-high unemployment rates. Speaking at the 1st Enugu State University of Science and Technology Distinguished Personalities Lecture Series, Mbah emphasized the need for a drastic overhaul of the current education model.
Mbah’s concerns are not isolated, as experts have long argued that Nigeria’s education system, modeled after the American system, is due for a revamp. The current system focuses on developing well-rounded citizens with equal access to opportunities but has been criticized for being too Western-centric.
Mbah questioned why Nigerian universities rarely feature on the global ranking list of world’s best universities and why they fail to produce inventive graduates. He attributed this to the fact that the learning in Nigerian schools has not equipped young people with productive skills and competencies, citing this as the root cause of the country’s underdevelopment .
Mbah advocates for ditching the outdated rote learning approach in favor of experiential learning, which he believes is key to unlocking Nigeria’s potential for industrialization and economic growth. This approach fosters critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration, empowering students to become active problem-solvers .
Mbah is putting his words into action by building 260 Smart Green Schools to power experiential learning in Enugu State’s 260 wards. He has also directed all state-owned tertiary institutions to deliver experiential learning going forward.
Experts suggest adopting education models from Asian countries like Japan, China, and India, which prioritize experiential learning and have led to these countries becoming leading economies. By adopting these changes, Nigeria can potentially unlock its full potential and create a more sustainable and prosperous future for its citizens.
This call to action is not new, as researchers have long highlighted the need for education reform in Nigeria. The country’s high unemployment rates and poverty levels are intertwined with its education system. By revolutionizing education, Nigeria can harness the potential of its youth population and drive economic growth.
