When the most talented of our people have obtained the heavily subsidized education that empowers them to be productive,
Our successful governments have focused too much on irrelevant (yes I said it) aspirations such as free tertiary education, free infrastructure, etc, while neglecting the most important human need
Yet our misconception of govt duties has meant that we are chasing an impossible dream of educating every Nigerian up to tertiary level for free.
What has come out of this national
The idea that govt is responsible for free tertiary education should be expunged from our constitution.
How useful are university graduates in our economy anyway?
Most of them are
The entire gambit of a 5-year minimum education & national service (sponsored by govt funds), which produces individuals with little or no practical skills is a failure
Students should be proficient in 1 or 2 practical skills before graduating secondary school
tailors, phone repair, plumbers, furniture, electricians, welders, etc
Every small business should have at least
Govt should ensure a minimum stipend is paid to them by their employers
Every secondary school graduate should pass specific technical exams to show they are proficient in some basic skills
Universities may even decide to admit students based on their extra skills (in addition to grades) in order to help lower their costs of maintenance and administration
Those who decide not to pursue tertiary education
Every Nigerian should be empowered to pay for their basic livelihood in addition to govt taxes.
The idea of subsidy, as opposed to empowerment, should be discarded
Nigerians shouldn't be given scraps
If students have money in their pockets, they'll be free to choose the best schools they want to attend (including private universities)
Nigerians need empowerment & not subsidy!