Editorial

Declaring National Emergency In Education

Published

15 years ago

October 11, 2010

If any proof was needed about the bleak future that has been facing Nigeria’s education system in the past two decades, the mass failures that have continued to be recorded in the West African School Certificate Examinations (WASCE) and other allied public exams in the past three years are concrete enough. In 2008, for instance, out of the 1,369,142 candidates that sat for the WASCE, only 188,422 or 13.76 per cent passed with five credits, including English Language and Mathematics. That means that about 83 per cent of the candidates failed to meet the minimum requirement for admission into the nation’s universities.

Again, in 2009, no significant improvement was recorded. Of the 1,373,009 candidates that sat for the exams, only 25.99 per cent or 356,981 candidates obtained credit in English Language, Mathematics and three other subjects. Rather than improve in 2010, the number of candidates that obtained credit in English Language, Mathematics and three other subjects dropped or 24.94 per cent on 337,071 candidates.

Irked by this inglorious situation, President Goodluck Jonathan convened the just concluded two-day summit on the ailing sector. According to him, “we had a situation where our educational sector no longer produces the kind of people we expect. The rate of failure is so alarming and we need to ask, what is happening?”

If the picture of secondary level of education is grim, university education in Nigeria is even grimmer. The very concept of ‘university’ connotes universality. There have, however, been grave doubts as to how much universality we still have in our universities. What is implied here is universality of thought, of ideas, outlook and composition. However, a peep into the average Nigerian university clearly does not suggest the cosmopolitan atmosphere which permeated the older tertiary institutions in the 1950’s, 60’s, and 70’s.

For example, one of the contributory factors to the emasculation of the Nigerian university is the continuously weak national currency that has created a poor remuneration package that can hardly attract academics from across national frontiers. There is also the debilitating problem of funding. Surely, poor funding of the education sector has resulted in decaying infrastructural base at all levels of the educational system. In some cases, there is total absence of teaching aide, laboratories, and modern libraries.

The quality of education that the teachers themselves need in order to deliver quality education to pupils and students in schools and institutions of learning, need further examination. Just as President Jonathan pointed out that schools existed in the past with hardly a graduate teacher but still people read and passed their examinations with alphas. Even where excellent results are recorded these days, it is sometimes suspect and often attributed to exam malpractice because given the myriad of problems faced by students, teachers and the entire education system, dismal performances such are being recorded now are only to be expected. A school system that hardly runs without incessant disruptions is bound to produce students whose learning and assimilation sequence has been distorted and disrupted time and again.

With growing cases of shabby treatment meted out to teachers by the government, teachers themselves have also lost every sense of commitment and passion for the once-prized teaching profession. These days, many teachers are also petty traders, using the teaching profession only as a camouflage. Thus, they have little or no time for their students. This contrasts sharply with the days of yore when teachers took their profession seriously because government took teachers seriously.

The absence of school supervision is another reason for the unending decay in the sector. In the hair days of educational development in Nigeria, school inspectors played a major role in the maintenance of discipline among school teachers. Teachers lesson notes and students work books were examined. The school environment was inspected for neatness while teachers and students were also observed in class. These measures were aimed at instilling discipline and maintaining a high level of academic standard. Sanctions were imposed through punitive transfers, demotion, expulsion and outright sack. The rules which were strictly enforced created a pervading spirit of competition among students, teachers and schools, as the case may be, and resulted in the high academic standard and discipline that were recorded.

It is indeed public knowledge that the education sector has been on a progressive decline in the past two decades.

It is against this backdrop that The Tide views the mass failures as an immediate outward manifestation of a protracted disease that has plagued the education system in Nigeria. Even though a two-day summit may be too short to properly diagnose and proffer remedies for the problems of this key sector, it has, at least, sensitized the various stakeholders on the need to begin proactive measures to address the situation.

One way forward is for the Federal Government to immediately declare a national emergency in the sector. Perhaps, a cue can be taken from the Rivers State Government where such summit at the beginning of the present administration resulted in the ongoing revolution in the education sector in the state. The Rivers State Government is already on its way to replacing all existing school infrastructure. This is after it took over the funding of primary education from the local government authorities. There is also massive training and retraining of teachers. In addition to making primary education tuition free the Rivers state government has also gone ahead to launch free school uniforms and books for pupils in all public schools.

The Tide urges the Federal Government to take the bold step of declaring a state of emergency in the education sector as a sure way of realizing the goals of the new road map announced by President Jonathan, last Thursday.

Editorial

No To Political Office Holders’ Salary Hike

Published

1 day ago

September 22, 2025

Uchechukwu Okwum

Nigeria’s Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has unveiled a gratuitous proposal to increase the salaries of political and public office holders in the country. This plan seeks to fatten the pay packets of the president, vice-president, governors, deputy governors, and members of the National and State Assemblies. At a time when the nation is struggling to steady its economy, the suggestion that political leaders should be rewarded with more money is not only misplaced but insulting to the sensibilities of the ordinary Nigerian.

What makes the proposal even more opprobrious is the dire economic condition under which citizens currently live. The cost of living crisis has worsened, inflation has eroded the purchasing power of workers, and the naira continues to tumble against foreign currencies. The majority of Nigerians are living hand to mouth, with many unable to afford basic foodstuffs, medical care, and education. Against this backdrop, political office holders, who already enjoy obscene allowances, perks, and privileges, should not even contemplate a salary increase.

It is, therefore, not surprising that the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has stepped in to challenge this development. SERAP has filed a lawsuit against the RMAFC to halt the implementation of this salary increment. This resolute move represents a voice of reason and accountability at a time when public anger against political insensitivity is palpable. The group is rightly insisting that the law must serve as a bulwark against impunity.

According to a statement issued by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the commission has been dragged before the Federal High Court in Abuja. Although a hearing date remains unconfirmed, the momentous step of seeking judicial redress reflects a determination to hold those in power accountable. SERAP has once again positioned itself as a guardian of public interest by challenging an elite-centric policy.

The case, registered as suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1834/2025, specifically asks the court to determine “whether RMAFC’s proposed salary hike for the president, vice-president, governors and their deputies, and lawmakers in Nigeria is not unlawful, unconstitutional and inconsistent with the rule of law.” This formidable question goes to the very heart of democratic governance: can those entrusted with public resources decide their own pay rises without violating the constitution and moral order?

In its pleadings, SERAP argues that the proposed hike runs foul of both the 1999 Nigerian Constitution and the RMAFC Act. By seeking a judicial declaration that such a move is unlawful, unconstitutional, and inconsistent with the rule of law, the group has placed a spotlight on the tension between self-serving leadership and constitutionalism. To trivialise such an issue would be harum-scarum, for the constitution remains the supreme authority guiding governance.

We wholeheartedly commend SERAP for standing firm, while we roundly condemn RMAFC’s selfish proposal. Political office should never be an avenue for financial aggrandisement. Since our leaders often pontificate sacrifice to citizens, urging them to tighten their belts in the face of economic turbulence, the same leaders must embody sacrifice themselves. Anything short of this amounts to double standards and betrayal of trust.

The Nigerian economy is not buoyant enough to shoulder the additional cost of a salary increase for political leaders. Already, lawmakers and executives enjoy allowances that are grossly disproportionate to the national average income. These earnings are sufficient not only for their needs but also their unchecked greed. To even consider further increments under present circumstances is egregious, a slap in the face of ordinary workers whose minimum wage remains grossly insufficient.

Resources earmarked for such frivolities should instead be channelled towards alleviating the suffering of citizens and improving the nation’s productive capacity. According to United Nations statistics, about 62.9 per cent of Nigerians were living in multidimensional poverty in 2021, compared to 53.7 per cent in 2017. Similarly, nearly 30.9 per cent of the population lives below the international poverty line of US$2.15 per day. These figures paint a stark picture: Nigeria is a poor country by all measurable standards, and any extra naira diverted to elite pockets deepens this misery.

Besides, the timing of this proposal could not be more inappropriate. At a period when unemployment is soaring, inflation is crippling households, and insecurity continues to devastate communities, the RMAFC has chosen to pursue elite enrichment. It is widely known that Nigeria’s economy is in a parlous state, and public resources should be conserved and wisely invested. Political leaders must show prudence, not profligacy.

Another critical dimension is the national debt profile. According to the Debt Management Office, Nigeria’s total public debt as of March 2025 stood at a staggering N149.39 trillion. External debt obligations also remain heavy, with about US$43 billion outstanding by September 2024. In such a climate of debt-servicing and borrowing to fund budgets, it is irresponsible for political leaders to even table the idea of inflating their salaries further. Debt repayment, not self-reward, should occupy their minds.

This ignoble proposal is insensitive, unnecessary, and profoundly reckless. It should be discarded without further delay. Public office is a trust, not an entitlement to wealth accumulation. Nigerians deserve leaders who will share in their suffering, lead by example, and prioritise the common good over self-indulgence. Anything less represents betrayal of the social contract and undermines the fragile democracy we are striving to build.

Editorial

No To Political Office Holders’ Salary Hike

Published

2 days ago

September 22, 2025

The Tide

Editorial

Rivers’ Retirees: Matters Arising

Published

2 weeks ago

September 8, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Government deserves commendation for the manner in which it conducted the last biometric exercise for pensioners in the state. For the first time in many years, the verification process was not only efficient but also humane, a development that has brought relief to a category of citizens that often bears the brunt of neglect.

Unlike previous verification exercises that left pensioners exhausted and unattended, the latest exercise set a refreshing precedent. Retirees were given proper and sumptuous meals, and in addition, the government paid the sum of N10,000 into their accounts to cushion their transportation costs. Such gestures go a long way in demonstrating that those who had laboured for the state are not forgotten in their twilight years.

The measure was particularly necessary given that some pensioners had to travel long distances to reach their verification centres. For elderly men and women, such journeys come with physical and financial strain. By recognising these realities and easing the burden, the government has shown that pensioners deserve dignity, not disdain.

Beyond this laudable act of consideration, the authorities must reflect on the very structure of pension verification. The era of compelling retirees to be physically present for routine verification should be reconsidered. With digital tools and innovation, the government can adopt systems that capture and confirm data without the stress of physical assembly. This is crucial for pensioners residing in other states or even abroad.

While we acknowledge the importance of verification in cleaning up pension records, we cannot ignore the darker side of the matter. It is regrettable that some allowances continue to be paid to deceased pensioners, with relatives fraudulently collecting the funds. The latest biometrics, thankfully, exposed some of these sharp practices. The exercise, therefore, is not only about order but also about justice.

We urge families of deceased pensioners to be patriotic enough to inform the government of the deaths of their loved ones. It is deeply shameful that in some instances, individuals attempted to impersonate late pensioners during the biometrics. Such behaviour undermines the spirit of honesty and deprives genuine retirees of their due entitlements.

The exercise also revealed another important area of concern: the health of pensioners. It is reassuring to learn that the state government has reportedly promised to take over the medical treatment of some retirees who arrived for the biometrics in critical condition. This is a step in the right direction. Elderly citizens, after years of service, should have access to special health care facilities in the state. Setting aside hospitals or designated centres for the aged is not just desirable but necessary.

While pension payments in Rivers State have remained consistent, attention must now be directed towards gratuities. Senior citizens deserve to receive their retirement benefits without the bureaucratic hitches that have often marred the process. After years of loyal service, nothing is more demoralising than to see retirees languish for want of their gratuities. Every worker, as Scripture reminds us, is worthy of his wage.

Retirement, in any civilised society, should not be reduced to a sentence of suffering. In dealing with pensioners, government must consistently wear a human face. The humane manner displayed during this verification exercise should not be a one-off. It must become the norm in all dealings with retirees. Measures must continually be put in place to ensure that they do not feel abandoned by the state they served.

One welcome innovation has already been introduced. The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has altered the method of gratuity payment. Pensioners now receive their monies directly into their bank accounts, eliminating the cheque-based system that for years served as fertile ground for corruption. This reform is both pragmatic and forward-looking. Similarly, the implementation of the N32,000 pension harmonisation is also commendable.

Direct payments gratuities ensure transparency and drastically reduce the possibility of diversion of funds. More importantly, they restore confidence in the system and assure pensioners that their entitlements will reach them without interference. In this way, the government has not only safeguarded the process but also upheld the principle of accountability.

Seamless gratuity payment has a ripple effect on the workforce as a whole. When workers are confident that retirement will not plunge them into hardship, the temptation to falsify age in order to remain in service is eliminated. Such reforms, therefore, enhance efficiency, honesty, and productivity in the public service.

In sum, the Rivers State Government has struck a refreshing chord in its handling of pension verification. It has shown empathy, innovation, and accountability. However, the momentum must be sustained, and the focus must shift towards modernising verification methods and prioritising retirees’ welfare in health, gratuity, and dignity.

When retirees are treated with compassion and fairness, the message to those still in service is clear: faithful service to the state will not go unrewarded. The humane verification exercise, though a single event, offers a hopeful glimpse of what governance can look like when people, especially the elderly, are placed at the heart of policy.