WAEC English Language 2017 Theory — Question 2

Model answer

THE CHALLENGES FACING NIGERIA Nigeria is a great nation blessed with human and material resources but still mutilated by various problems. The problem of unemployment and poor education system are still regarded as Nigeria's major areas of deficits or shortcomings. Every year the higher education system of Nigeria keeps turning out graduates who continue to add to the growing population of the unemployed. Most youths are frustrated, pressed and desperate as they have devised various means to survive in the gloom of unemployment. The rise in cybercrimes, armed robbery, impersonations in examinations are potent indicators that youths are devising means to survive. Immorality has become the order of the day as graduates are desperate to meet their demand and the pressing needs of their immediate family who mounts pressure on them because they believe now is the time to give back after the expensive trainings they have received. A lot of youths have decided to call Nigeria a quit and fend greener pasture elsewhere, but does that curtail the bane of unemployment? Our university system needs to train over graduates to be job-creators and not job-seekers. Various entrepreneurial skills should be made available to graduates who will not only be informed 'book-wise' but have embraced micro, small or medium based enterprising skills on how to start up their own businesses. Also, they need to be taught how to write business plans/proposals and always to generate funds for their business start-ups. Our education system needs to be practical and less theoretical. The Nigeria education system is also a source of concern as stakeholders have bitterly complained that Nigerian graduates are half-baked. Why won't they be when we lack competent hands? When Nigeria currently experience brain drains, when 60% of those in lecture halls cannot even hear a thing that the lecturer says because there is no public address system, when our library has old books and students have no direct access to them, when there is no internet facilities and the environment is not academic friendly nor have the expected ambience for serious academic activities. To come out of this challenge, Nigerian higher institution must cut their coats according to their cloth. This means only admitting students based on available resources and manpower. With this, students will be holistically competent. Also, best graduating students need to be retained and encouraged to give back to their schools. They must not be left alone but systems must be put in place to absorb them immediately after their National Youth Service. The problems of unemployment and education are twin challenges as each affects the other. To end unemployment our education system must be holistic and practical. Kemi Adeditan, SS3J, International School, Lagos