The Federal Government is considering adding an extra year to all academic programmes in the nation’s universities. Minister of State for Education, Professor Anthony Anwukah disclosed this to members of Governing Councils of federal universities at a retreat in Abuja the other day.
In government’s misguided view, an additional year would make the Nigerian graduate better prepared and more competitive in the job market.

Where did this preposterous idea emanate from? How can anyone sustain the argument that the quality of an academic programme is dependent on its duration
How does this idea compare with best practices around the world? Is this another way to exclude the millions of qualified youth from gaining access to university education?

The education sector is in dire straits. Indeed, ‘falling or fallen standard of education’ has become national singsong in the last 30 odd years.
From primary to university level, the three tiers of government have not invested enough in building the required infrastructure for stability and growth.
Gradually Nigerians have witnessed a fatal erosion of the high and excellent standards which were set and maintained in the early years of nationhood.

Sadly, the military takeover of government and the seizure of schools from missionaries were part of the problem.

Beyond these, the governments of the day were caught flatfooted in their inability to manage the number of pupils and students in the schools. School buildings degenerated rapidly. Lack of good teachers became a problem.

Guardian NG