Opinion
Appraising The Humanities
The term “humanities” was used in the mediaeval universities of Europe to indicate the study of the Latin language and literature. It comprises the secular side of education as contradistinguished from the theological side – divinity and humanities being the two main faculties in a mediaeval university.
It gradually covered a wider field, but emphasis continued to be laid for a long time on classical literature and language, and even as late as the 19th century this was the main emphasis. It was in France that les humanities was formally recognised, and was meant perhaps to suggest a haughty aloofness from the sciences which were related altogether to a lower category of study.
Humanities was meant to be more intimately connected to the human side of education, hence its relative importance was the greater. The sciences were utilitarian, but the humanities fostered the human and humane qualities, and thus contributed to the growth of man. Hence, the study of humanities was seen as essential to a liberal education – education that liberalised the mind of man. Naturally, it assumed a dominant position in our education system, which it enjoys to a large extent in the older university foundations.
Truly, in contemporary universities, the study of the sciences is given a larger space because of their indispensable character. But it is being appreciated more and more that an exclusive or even predominant attention to the sciences would have a somewhat lopsided effect on the development of the human personality. The importance of science was stretched, to the point that bigger tecnological universities in some developed countries attempted to scrap subjects like literature, philosophy, logic and history, considered to be basic humanities subjects.
At any rate the study of the humanities is today reckoned an essential part of real education. It is appreciated increasingly that in a truly liberal system of education, the humanities and the empirical sciences cannot exist apart except in the highest stages where specialisation is required.
How then is the study of humanities important? Certainly familiarity with the great masters of human thought and expression was a sort of catalytic or constant action on the mind of the student. It widens the mental horizon, invigorates the capacity to think and enriches the intellectual content. A mind so trained is more efficient and capable of tackling human problems by recalling unconsciously from the vast storehouse of human experiences.
Study of humanities has also the effect of refining manners and giving it a certain dignity and poise. It has the added value of softening and making man pliant in his daily dealings with his fellow. The humanities are the proper corrective of both the brutal and the banal and one whose mind is suitably trained on them can hardly be ill-bred or boring in the company of others.
It is, however, necessary to point out that the humanities possess natural attractiveness and for this reason it is not impossible to make too much of their excellence. That would be surely bad. Exclusive or excessive pre-occupation with humane studies may make man a dreamer and a visionary, and lose his grip on the firm realities of life. After all, in the modern world no man can ignore the basic factors of life which depend on the knowledge of science, and whatever tends to develop an aversion or indifference to these must be severely discouraged.
Hence, in a proper scheme of education, while emphasis must be laid on science, technology and the professional subjects, room must be found in each curriculum of studies for the humanities in our higher institutions in order to act as correctives. It is imperative for students of humanities in our nation’s universities to be considered for scholarship awards to study within or outside the country like their counterparts in the sciences. Over-emphasis on science results in loss of moral values in most societies which eventually creates moral problems.
The ultimate aim of education is to create a balanced personality, which can be done only if the faculties are developed harmoniously. Lopsidedness whether physical or mental, is either grotesque or monstrous. Hence, in our universities accentuation should continue to be laid on the study of the humanities in order to fulfil the purpose and the end of a truly liberal education.
Arnold Alalibo
From all indications, Nigeria possesses enough human and material resources to become a true economic powerhouse in Africa. According to the National Population Commission (NPC, 2023), the country’s population has grown steadily within the last decade, presently standing at about 220 million people—mostly young, vibrant, and innovative. Nigeria also remains the sixth-largest oil producer in the world, with enormous reserves of gas, fertile agricultural land, and human capital.
Yet, despite this enormous potential, the country continues to grapple with underdevelopment, poverty, unemployment, and insecurity. Recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS, 2023) show that about 129 million Nigerians currently live below the poverty line. Most families can no longer afford basic necessities, even as the government continues to project a rosy economic picture.
The Subsidy Question
The removal of fuel subsidy in 2023 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been one of the most controversial policy decisions in Nigeria’s recent history. According to the president, subsidy removal was designed to reduce fiscal burden, unify the foreign exchange rate, attract investment, curb inflation, and discourage excessive government borrowing.
While these objectives are theoretically sound, the reality for ordinary Nigerians has been severe hardship. Fuel prices more than tripled, transportation costs surged, and food inflation—already high—rose above 30% (NBS, 2023). The World Bank (2023) estimates that an additional 7.1 million Nigerians were pushed into poverty after subsidy removal.
A Critical Economic View
As an economist, I argue that the problem was not subsidy removal itself—which was inevitable—but the timing, sequencing, and structural gaps in Nigeria’s implementation.
- Structural Miscalculation
Nigeria’s four state-owned refineries remain nonfunctional. By removing subsidies without local refining capacity, the government exposed the economy to import-price pass-through effects—where global oil price shocks translate directly into domestic inflation. This was not just a timing issue but a fundamental policy miscalculation.
- Neglect of Social Safety Nets
Countries like Indonesia (2005) and Ghana (2005) removed subsidies successfully only after introducing cash transfers, transport vouchers, and food subsidies for the poor (World Bank, 2005). Nigeria, however, implemented removal abruptly, shifting the fiscal burden directly onto households without protection.
- Failure to Secure Food and Energy Alternatives
Fuel subsidy removal amplified existing weaknesses in agriculture and energy. Instead of sequencing reforms, government left Nigerians without refinery capacity, renewable energy alternatives, or mechanized agricultural productivity—all of which could have cushioned the shock.
Political and Public Concerns
Prominent leaders have echoed these concerns. Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, described the subsidy removal as “good but wrongly timed.” Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party also faulted the government’s hasty approach. Human rights activists like Obodoekwe Stive stressed that refineries should have been made functional first, to reduce the suffering of citizens.
This is not just political rhetoric—it reflects a widespread economic reality. When inflation climbs above 30%, when purchasing power collapses, and when households cannot meet basic needs, the promise of reform becomes overshadowed by social pain.
Broader Implications
The consequences of this policy are multidimensional:
- Inflationary Pressures – Food inflation above 30% has made nutrition unaffordable for many households.
- Rising Poverty – 7.1 million Nigerians have been newly pushed into poverty (World Bank, 2023).
- Middle-Class Erosion – Rising transport, rent, and healthcare costs are squeezing household incomes.
- Debt Concerns – Despite promises, government borrowing has continued, raising sustainability questions.
- Public Distrust – When government promises savings but citizens feel only pain, trust in leadership erodes.
In effect, subsidy removal without structural readiness has widened inequality and eroded social stability.
Missed Opportunities
Nigeria’s leaders had the chance to approach subsidy removal differently:
- Refinery Rehabilitation – Ensuring local refining to reduce exposure to global oil price shocks.
- Renewable Energy Investment – Diversifying energy through solar, hydro, and wind to reduce reliance on imported petroleum.
- Agricultural Productivity – Mechanization, irrigation, and smallholder financing could have boosted food supply and stabilized prices.
- Social Safety Nets – Conditional cash transfers, food vouchers, and transport subsidies could have protected the most vulnerable.
Instead, reform came abruptly, leaving citizens to absorb all the pain while waiting for theoretical long-term benefits.
Conclusion: Reform With a Human Face
Fuel subsidy removal was inevitable, but Nigeria’s approach has worsened hardship for millions. True reform must go beyond fiscal savings to protect citizens.
Economic policy is not judged only by its efficiency but by its humanity. A well-sequenced reform could have balanced fiscal responsibility with equity, ensuring that ordinary Nigerians were not crushed under the weight of sudden change.
Nigeria has the resources, population, and resilience to lead Africa’s economy. But leadership requires foresight. It requires policies that are inclusive, humane, and strategically sequenced.
Reform without equity is displacement of poverty, not development. If Nigeria truly seeks progress, its policies must wear a human face.
References
- National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). (2023). Poverty and Inequality Report. Abuja.
- National Population Commission (NPC). (2023). Population Estimates. Abuja.
- World Bank. (2023). Nigeria Development Update. Washington, DC.
- World Bank. (2005). Fuel Subsidy Reforms: Lessons from Indonesia and Ghana. Washington, DC.
- OPEC. (2023). Annual Statistical Bulletin. Vienna.
By: Amarachi Amaugo