We have so many higher institutions in Nigeria now….and the number increases almost every year. This is good, but studying a course for 4 years and above, especially most non-professional courses is what bothers me. PS: I am not advising or discouraging anyone to go abroad to study.
Here are my reasons:
1. Other countries: Top countries especially in Asia and Europe, even in Africa don’t use up to 4 years for a degree. Within 5 years or less, one can have his first Degree and Masters abroad. Our polytechnics don’t make things easy these days…after OND, one year of industrial attachment (most people now do theirs in their homes…no placement) you still do “post UME” for HND admission in the same school!

2. You may not practice: Now this is rampant in Nigeria…blame it on economic condition, peer pressure, parent’s will over yours and so on. So many undergraduates are studying that particular course because that is what the school “wants” for them. So, their mindset is “let me just finish this course and find better things to do with my life”. I have two medical doctor friends, one has dropped his stethoscope for the financial sector, the other one is practicing but says he will divert soon…AFTER SEVEN YEARS?!!!

3. Jack of all Trade: One of the major reasons why it takes us donkey years to get a degree in Nigeria is this!!! Your first year in school, you do all irrelevant courses. You will probably do your main specialty in your semi-finals or final year. This is a big time-waster. Why not face your course and get better with it. Jack of all trade, master of none.

4. Graduate Trainee Jobs: If you think you are studying a course that is not marketable in Nigeria, don’t worry much. As long as you are young and you have good grades, you will be fine. Big companies, most especially in the financial sector, oil and gas, and foods and manufacturing firms train their new intakes for weeks or months. Your job roles may not be relevant with your course of study, though.
Then why spend 4/5 years when u will still be trained?

5. ALMIGHTY STRIKE : Some courses slated for 4 years will turn to 7 years…no thanks to endless strikes. Chaos in school, government owing lecturers, etc… This is so appalling. Coupled with the fact that you will still serve the nation for a year, that makes it 8. That wouldn’t be nice if you started school in your twenties, would it?

This may sound subjective, but the truth be told. Spending so many years for a course is not a good sign for a developing country like Nigeria. Some lecturers just give you the same old note they used during their tenure in school. If the number of years cannot be altered, then let the educational sector be improved. There is so much “La cram La Pour” in Nigerian schools today.

What of 3 years

Youngsage:
What of 3 years

Hmm... Maybe fair

in uk they do 2 years a level. nd 3 years uni. dats 5 years. Nigeria is allergic to change. make we jst dey look. our syllabus sucks. there arr some courses dat are jst repetition

ednut1:
in uk they do 2 years a level. nd 3 years uni. dats 5 years. Nigeria is allergic to change. make we jst dey look. our syllabus sucks. there arr some courses dat are jst repetition

Syllabus enh... I smell that other irrelevant courses will be introduced.

Some of your points are valid others not so much.
Each country tailor their curriculum to their own needs. We shouldn't compare the years spend in school between countries. The british spend 3 yrs in universities because it suits them while Americans spend 4. Each country have their own reason for doing so.

Your number 3 point, not so valid. Its not called 'jack of all trade' I think the right term is flexibility. The world we live in is very vast and we can't be rigid living in it. That's why the curriculum infuses so many aspect into the university program, students need to know what going on in other areas outside their major courses. Most times these are areas students wouldn't normally look into. Like for example in my year one in school, I did a GST course in science and technology where some engineering principle where explained. I'm an art major with no business in engineering, but my studying of that course broadened my mind.

@ killerbeauty, u are making good points too. UK and USA tailor their curriculum to their own needs... Agreed. But are you sure we actually know our own needs or have our reasons? Not sure here. You can spend 4-years in the USA, OK. But it's hard to keep up with that same 4 years in Nigeria, not to mention the level of exposure and advancement.


I think that Jack of all trade is very valid o. I did a 5-year course. I got *exposed* into my department in 300 level. Flexibility is good. GNS, GSE, et al are relevant. Doing All courses for more than a year or every year in the name of flexibility is what is not relevant.

Thanks for your contribution

i like to thnk even 3 yrs will be a waste as the only tangible thing i learnt in my underg days, i learnt during my 1 year IT and thats what has been feeding me

Potential FP Material here..

Lero15:
@ killerbeauty, u are making good points too. UK and USA tailor their curriculum to their own needs... Agreed. But are you sure we actually know our own needs or have our reasons? Not sure here. You can spend 4-years in the USA, OK. But it's hard to keep up with that same 4 years in Nigeria, not to mention the level of exposure and advancement.


I think that Jack of all trade is very valid o. I did a 5-year course. I got *exposed* into my department in 300 level. Flexibility is good. GNS, GSE, et al are relevant. Doing All courses for more than a year or every year in the name of flexibility is what is not relevant.

Thanks for your contribution

I see it as a lame idea comparing USA and Nigeria. These two countries are in different stages of development. Nigerians know their needs we try to implement them in the face of numerous challenges. Challenges that we will overcome with time. Rome wasn't built in a day.

missdebs:
i like to thnk even 3 yrs will be a waste as the only tangible thing i learnt in my underg days, i learnt during my 1 year IT and thats what has been feeding me

And the 1 year IT was part of the 4 year program. Can't you see how everything worked out in the end.

KillerBeauty:

I see it as a lame idea comparing USA and Nigeria. These two countries are in different stages of development. Nigerians know their needs we try to implement them in the face of numerous challenges. Challenges that we will overcome with time. Rome wasn't built in a day.

how about Singapore and Nigeria. There is something wrong with the majority of the populace of this country.

KillerBeauty:

And the 1 year IT was part of the 4 year program. Can't you see how everything worked out in the end.

No matter how we try to sugar coat it, the quality of university education in this country is wack be ith public or private. I love Nigeria but we need to say the truth when it needs to be said. The problem with Nigeria is not "Nigeria" as an entity as people make up the country, the problem is the people that make up the country itself. I see no development in this generation. I do not encourage seeking greener pastures abroad, I detest it much as I hate to seek pity. I believe if I can't fix my problem myself, I don't need to run elsewhere to seek pity. This is a problem with majority of us too that's why you see the average youth believe he can always make it when he leaves the country. If one's motive is always to go be a parasite somewhere, the problem remains the same and we keep going round the same circle.

KillerBeauty:

I see it as a lame idea comparing USA and Nigeria. These two countries are in different stages of development. Nigerians know their needs we try to implement them in the face of numerous challenges. Challenges that we will overcome with time. Rome wasn't built in a day.

@Bold This is the same thing an average Nigerian politician will tell you o..that we should not compare. At this stage of their development, they were doing better. Talking about stages of development, I see none in the educational sector.

I pray we overcome those challenges. I, we, deserve better. Thanks.

I agree. At the end of it all, your certificate has little recognition abroad.

Nigeria needs to take education seriously.

True

Somehow

...

Sad truth.

ok

Man i agree with you... schooling in Nigeria is so overrated.
After learning how to read and write, you cant get anything else.

all those dead place they call university is nonsense.. waste of time.

I spent 8

*observing*

Yeah. Kind of true with the fact that most of us don't practice what we studied in school

Hian!

hmm

true talk op..

But wat do we do

Wen the desireable is not available, the available becomes the desireable..

BUT TO STUDY FOR NIJA NO EASY AT ALL