In Shambles!
Nigeria’s Education Is Nosediving or On the Brink, as Details of JAMB Results Tell
The recent revelation by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has brought to light a staggering humanitarian crisis within Nigeria’s education system. The disclosure that 1.4 million students, constituting 77 per cent of those who took the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, scored below 200 is a cause for grave concern. This failure rate not only demands immediate national action but also underscores the dangers stemming from inadequate parenting practices and the government’s failure to prioritize investment in education. In this report, Gom Mirian sheds light on the urgent need to address this crisis and its far-reaching implications.
The Implications for Future Professions
The consequences of this crisis extend beyond mere statistics, posing a significant threat to the future of the nation. With such a high failure rate, Nigeria faces the prospect of a dearth of qualified professionals in critical fields such as medicine, law, and microbiology. The minimum cut-off marks for entry into medical school, law, and microbiology stand at 220, 200, and 180, respectively. Regrettably, candidates with low scores will not meet the admission requirements of Nigerian universities, where the minimum cut-off mark based on JAMB scores is 180. This situation paints a stark picture of the potential shortage of professionals in essential sectors, with far-reaching implications for the nation’s future.
Exploring the Root Causes of Failure
To comprehend the gravity of this humanitarian crisis, it is essential to delve into its underlying causes. Experts attribute the abysmal failure rate to factors such as excessive engagement of Nigerian youths on social media platforms, inadequate preparation, and technical hitches encountered during the examination process. Additionally, systemic issues such as outdated teaching methods and a curriculum that fails to address the evolving needs of society also contribute significantly to hindering student success.
According to available data, 36.70 million users aged 18 and above were using social media in Nigeria at the beginning of 2024, equivalent to 32.0 per cent of the total population aged 18 and above at that time.
Economic Implications for Nigeria
The economic ramifications of this crisis on the Nigerian economy cannot be overstated. A poorly educated workforce will inevitably lead to a decline in the nation’s overall productivity. Industries reliant on highly skilled professionals will suffer, resulting in reduced competitiveness in the international market and diminished foreign investment. Furthermore, the lack of qualified professionals will perpetuate a cycle of underemployment or unemployment, straining social welfare systems and impeding economic growth.
The Implications for the Health Sector
The implications of this crisis extend beyond a shortage of professionals in critical fields to the healthcare sector. A scarcity of qualified medical professionals undermines the healthcare system, exacerbating the already strained access to quality healthcare for the population. The consequences include increased mortality rates, diminished healthcare outcomes, and a compromised ability to combat infectious diseases or respond effectively to public health emergencies. The nation’s overall well-being is at stake if immediate action is not taken to address this issue.
The Looming Threat to National Security
The failure to address this humanitarian crisis poses dire implications for Nigeria’s national security. The lack of educational opportunities and a future devoid of qualified professionals create fertile ground for social unrest and discontent. Marginalized youth, denied access to education and a promising future, may become susceptible to radicalization, crime, and extremism. The consequences are far-reaching, destabilizing the social fabric and compromising the safety and cohesion of the nation.
Expert Perspectives on the Crisis
To provide additional insight into the gravity of the situation, Africa Health Report, (AHR), interviewed Mr. Adaramoye Michael Lenin, the National mobilisation officer of the Education Rights Campaign.
Mr. Lenin, an education specialist, emphasised “The revelation exposes the inadequacy of our education system and raises questions about the government’s commitment to equipping our youth with the skills they need to succeed. The crisis demands immediate intervention and a comprehensive overhaul of the education sector.”
He highlighted the consistent deterioration in the UTME results over the years, attributing it to the government’s neglect and poor education policies.
He emphasized the detrimental impact of mass failure on tertiary education, society, and the economy, noting that poorly educated populations cannot sustain a society in this era, he called for accountability, urging students, education workers, and concerned parties to hold the government responsible for the chronic failure in education.
Mr. Lenin stressed the urgent need for proper funding and democratic management of the education sector to combat corruption and improve the quality of education.
Meanwhile, a lawyer identified as Foundational Nupe Lawyer1 on X.com lamented the deplorable 77% failure recorded in the UTME results, and attributed the mass failure to social media influence, highlighting the detrimental impact of excessive social media use on students’ academic performance.
He wrote, “There are so many things to blame for this JAMB mass failure, but what tops the list for me is social media. Children who should be busy with studying are always on social media as content creators on different platforms, while neglecting their education or giving little time for it.
“I had to make conscious decisions to ban our last born, 17, from using TikTok by not using an internet-enabled phone while preparing for her WAEC and JAMB exams. She doesn’t need any internet access to study for these exams. All the materials are in hard copy and she was left with no other option than to study hard with full focus.
“Her accessibility to an internet-enabled device hinged on acing the exams very well. Otherwise, no man born of a woman can make her use it; and if she does, it means she has found another sponsor for her education moving forward.”
The humanitarian crisis unravelled by Nigeria’s education system presents an urgent and profound national emergency. With the potential loss of future professionals, economic implications, impacts on the healthcare sector, and threats to national security, immediate action is imperative. The nation must prioritize investing in quality education, supporting teachers, and revamping the curriculum to ensure a brighter future for our children and a prosperous Nigeria. Failure to act now risks untold consequences for generations to come.
