“Currently, there are many people with records of gaining admission into the university, but who have no record of graduation.” —Ebuka Onyekwelu
As odd as it may look, Nigeria is a country where the well-educated are not likely to end up around the seat of power. There are many reasons for this, ranging from our overly monetized politics to the mere fact that, in most instances, those in power do not particularly appreciate knowledge because of the fear that it may interrogate and expose their fantasies masquerading as policies. While education does not equate to good leadership, it is generally accepted that a leader must have a certain level of education, which predisposes them to have a clear grasp of their job description and role as a leader.
Yet, time and again, Nigerian leaders have continued to be found wanting in possessing basic educational requirements for occupying public office. Consequently, they are in a scandal for fake or forged certificates; something they could have avoided only if they were interested in their own personal growth. This, therefore, points to a much deeper malaise which might be fundamental to Nigeria’s leadership puzzle. There is a growing attempt to deemphasize academic brilliance as a springboard for a prosperous and organized society, and this should trouble everyone.
Weeks after the Minister of Science, Chief Uche Nnaji, was pinned down in a certificate forgery scandal, he has finally resigned his position, and the resignation has been accepted by Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, according to a statement by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Media Adviser. Yet, Nnaji’s case raises a critical question: how can someone with the means to prepare himself for public office in line with his personal desires not be able to put in four academic years to acquire a basic educational qualification? Even more, why do Nigerian public officers get into this sort of scandal often? The present Nigerian President and the past two presidents faced questions about their educational qualifications. President Goodluck Jonathan had questions around his Doctorate Degree at the University of Portharcourt. Although the University came out to affirm that he truly completed his doctorate at the Institution. Former President Muhammadu Buhari was also faced with the issue about the original copy of his O-level result, and he continued to maintain that the military lost it. The major concern should be that after over four decades, with all the resources available to him, he was still parading a lost O-level result as his only qualification with which he intended to govern Nigeria. This also applies to President Tinubu, whose certificate has been variously speculated to be fake or forged, until the Chicago State University confirmed that, indeed, President Bola Tinubu was their student and did graduate from the university.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari was also faced with the issue about the original copy of his O-level result
Given this experience, it is discernible that Nigerians who are gunning for public offices might not be interested in improving themselves. To put this in another way, many Nigerians who want to lead the country and bring good governance and innovation are unable to prepare themselves by investing in their capability to serve others and lead the country. This is exactly the case. But somehow, those Nigerians in this category motivate themselves into believing that they already have what it takes to lead and serve. However, each time, Nigeria ends up in the same cycle of chaos, thereby confirming that, irrespective of what Nigerian politicians may feel, they cannot give what they do not have. Indeed, those qualifications are a necessary precursor to their abilities.
As of today in Nigeria, there are many people with records of gaining admission into the university, but have no record of graduation. This is a rampant and common occurrence in all Nigerian higher institutions. The problem with this is that at some point, when those in this group should fix this gap by using the resources at their disposal to legitimately earn an honest degree anywhere of their choice in this world, they package a lie and prefer to live in that self-delusion until they are exposed and embarrassed. How can one explain that a Nigerian politician wants to govern a people with an over forty years old O-level result that has several F-grades. What it means is that in the last forty years, the person has never thought of how to enhance his learning and academic qualifications in furtherance of his own ambition. If such a person who ought to be regarded as a danger to himself is pretending to want to give good governance to the people, it is simply a joke.
Suppose Nigeria must realize its full potential or at least become better governed. In that case, the country at all levels must be managed by leaders who have taken the time to invest in expanding their personal abilities. Although education does not in itself translate into leadership ability, it is more likely that an educated leader who takes time to upgrade himself with learning can offer the people and the country more than someone without an education or with a multiple-decade-old weak certificate.
♦ Ebuka Onyekwelu, journalist and trained political scientist, is a writer and columnist with the West African Pilot News
EDITOR’S NOTE:
■ This is an Op-ed article. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of WAP. WAP does not endorse or support views, opinions, or conclusions drawn in opinion articles, and we are not responsible or liable for any content composition, accuracy, or quality within the article or for any damage or loss caused by and in connection with it.
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