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Socio-Economic Implications of School Children Abduction

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About two years ago, over 200 Nigerian school girls were abducted by the miscreant group known as Boko Haram and their whereabouts have remained unknown despite widespread protests, opinions and government efforts which also attracted help from the international community.

After that, there have been so many instances of kidnapping and abduction while government efforts have also been truncated by some misfits within the government itself.  This paints a picture of a government or nation that is divided against itself.

There is no gain saying that there have been many other cases of abduction and kidnapping but somehow or for some reasons the victims of these abductions have been liberated and reunited with their families except for those abducted from the very grounds of their academic institutions.

For me, this is a pointer to the priority placed on education by our government. Aside Nigeria, I am not sure of any other nation with legally constituted government where over 200 school children (either boys or girls) could be missing for close to two years without clues. Does this pass for a Guinness World Record?

Now there is another round of abduction from a school in Ikorodu Lagos and we are yet to know the fate of these children.

You may wonder how this spells doom for the economy and the economic policies of the current administration. Nigerian government has been struggling with ways of easing the nation’s balance of trade while other internal problems pose countering threats to those efforts.

Now that oil revenues have remained unstable and there are high tariffs on luxury goods while some importations do not qualify for foreign exchange purchases from the Central Bank, the most likely source of increase in foreign exchange demand is the procurement of security gadgets, small arms and light weapons by colleges and their proprietors who want to protect their students and ensure that they remain in business by all means.

Other parents who have the means will inevitably take their primary and secondary age children to safer countries near and far. Therefore, payment of school fees to foreign schools will also increase significantly, pushing up capital flight volume due to tuition payment abroad.

The idea of foreign education became widespread due to the inability of our universities to create and teach knowledge that is relevant to professional practice; only the hours of study and names of most of the schools meet international standards.

Contents and quality of delivery have been wanting for a long while now. To the extent that Nigerians now co-own colleges in Republic of Benin, Lomé and Ghana, everyone except those who cannot afford it prefers to study “anywhere” outside Nigeria.

The pace of rising insecurity of lives of students within our colleges will surely make worse the‎ present precarious experience and those who once coped by turning to the private schools will now have more than enough reasons to jettison that option.

That way, our schools will experience the same fate that met our textile factories, departmental stores, airlines, manufacturing giants and the other economic actors that have either died or relocated to other countries.

These analyses and predictions sound logical; however it is uncertain if and when they will become real but of course if nothing is done quickly and seriously, what do we think will become of this country? What would it be like to live in Nigeria or even be called a Nigerian?

Originally, Nigerians look for undergraduate and postgraduate admissions for their children abroad specifically in countries like the UK, US, South Africa, Canada, Australia, India, Ghana, Republic of Benin and Togo. Now, we should expect the same trend for the primary and secondary school admissions.

This trend started due to poor quality of education but now the need for security is reinforcing the incentives for parents to take their children to foreign schools. We would agree that insecurity in schools is a more compelling reason than poor quality education for considering foreign schools.

Therefore, given the unfolding threat to security of students, we should expect an exodus of students out of Nigeria. Something like, the future of Nigeria gradually going into extinction.

Before things get that bad, the increasing outflow of money from the economy will first render the fiscal and economic policies of the present administration useless and it would become really difficult if not impossible to strengthen the Naira not against the dollar or the Pounds alone but also against the currencies of our neighbouring African countries.

It is a terrible thing for any nation or government to lose the confidence of her own people. Much as there are many Nigerians who still believe in the efforts of the present administration and the hope of a better Nigeria, an unsecured growing population is a big threat to patriotism, national unity and continuity.

That being said, there is the need for an unwavering sincerity, communication, reassurance based on activities not promises to win the confidence and feeling of security amongst the people.

Hitherto, one of the biggest challenges to resolving the problems of the education sector like that of most other sectors in Nigeria has been the profession of simple solutions to complex problems.

Our policy makers and leaders need to be able to think on their feet and take decisions proactively.

We need leaders who embrace dialogic discourse and multiple collaborations to transform Nigeria.  There are other problems that are as bad as corruption in Nigeria and government needs to give equal if not greater attention to them.

As we fight corruption, we should also be very steadfast in growing the economy and in doing that, education cannot be relegated to a place of low priority or indifference.  A less corrupt nation where people become poorer by the day due to contracting economy does not sound like a great place to work or live.

The permutations to lift Nigeria out of the present circumstances are not so linear and simplistic or the efforts will amount to sheer waste of time and opportunities.

Named as the Best Young Manager in South-West Nigeria (2013), Olugbenro Oyekan is the Dean of School and Associate Professor of Practice in Management at the International School of Management (ISM) Lagos.

 


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Nigeria Seeks Alliance with Sweden to Strengthen Digital Economy

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Nigeria is eager to deepen its links with Sweden in order to grow its digital economy. Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, recently returned from a tour of Sweden.

The main meeting in Stockholm was with the Minister of International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, with additional meetings with the private sector.

Tijani stated that Nigeria’s position as Sub-Saharan Africa’s second largest trading partner influenced efforts to strengthen ICT ties.

The Nigerian minister stated that Sweden has the world’s second highest concentration of unicorns (after the United States) and a rich history of innovation.

“So, there is a lot of opportunity for collaboration and support for our initiatives in innovation, research, connectivity and digital technology as we work to accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy,” Tijani said.

The present administration of president Bola Tinubu, which has been in power since 2023, has developed a strategic plan outlining a vision for Nigeria that leverages the transformative power of digital technology and innovation to diversify its economy.


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Digital Transformation Can Unlock Nigeria’s Prosperity -NIGCOMSAT Boss

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Mrs. Jane Egerton-Idehen, managing director, Nigerian Satellite Communications Limited (NIGCOMSAT), has said that the time has come to unlock Nigeria’s true potential, by embracing digital transformation and fostering a culture of innovation as a way to further enhance other sectors like Financial and Insurance (Financial Institutions); Trade; Agriculture (Crop production); Manufacturing (Food, Beverage & Tobacco); Construction; and Real Estate, among others.

Digital Transformation Can Unlock Nigeria’s Prosperity -NIGCOMSAT Boss

She said that over-reliance on the oil sector has created a vulnerable economy in Nigeria.

Egerton-Idehen said this in Nsukka on Saturday while delivering the 20th Herbert Macaulay Memorial Lecture themed, “Harnessing Practical Engineering Solutions for Sustainable Economic Development” held at the Princess Alexandra Auditorium Hall, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN).

Egerton-Idehen who spoke on the topic “Championing Innovation: Digital Transformation and Economic Diversification in Nigeria,” said that Nigeria has heavily relied on oil production for many years which has not augured well for the country’s economy.

She said that digital transformation is the process of using digital technologies like Robotics, Mobile Internet, Artificial Internet, to radically transform existing traditional and non-digital business processes and services.

According to her “The largest contributor to the nation’s GDP post-1970s was crude oil.  With the oil boom in 1973-74,  it was in the double digits at its highest; it was 40% of GDP until  post-2010 when sectors like Agriculture and ICT started to redistribute that balance.

“Currently, oil contribution to GDP has returned to a single digit — pre-1970 figures, it sits at 6% of GDP today. The oil sector still provides for 95% of Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings and 80% of its budgetary revenues.

“Nigeria, as we know, is a nation brimming with talent and potential, stands at a crossroads. While blessed with abundant natural resources, particularly oil, our economy remained heavily reliant on a single sector for over five decades.

“The price per barrel of oil needed for Nigeria to balance our budgets is– $139, Saudi Arabia $83.8, and UAE $67 (Kullab & Abdul-Zahra, 2020). Current global conditions make this untenable. Oil prices have crashed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, among other reasons (Alia Alzubair, 2021),” she said.

NIGCOMSAT Boss said further that the vulnerability to fluctuating oil prices exposes Nigeria to external shocks and hinders sustainable growth.

“There are many ways we can frame our road to diversification and non-dependence in the oil sector.

“With our experience with ICT, we can safely assume we could reform, and impact various sectors driving economic growth through digital transformation.

“This could be done by addressing the challenges and harnessing the opportunities, Nigeria can leverage digital transformation as a powerful tool for economic diversification, job creation, and shared prosperity.

In a remark, Prof Charles Igwe, vice-chancellor of UNN said that was one of the first Nigerian nationalists and his opposition to many colonial policies paved the way for the Independence of Nigeria

“Together with Nnamdi Azikiwe he co-founded the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroon (NCNC) and became its president.

The VC noted that the Faculty of Engineering initiated the biennial lecture series in order to achieve the following goals; Highlight the faces of a man who has been described as the father of Nigerian Nationalism, Encourage present da engineers, surveyors, architects, and other professional to learn from his professional lifestyles and make every effort to leave good footprints on the sand of time.

Other targets of the HMML series are; To map out strategies and mobilize resources to improve the teaching, learning, and research environment within the Faculty of Engineering and the university at large,, and to identify major National issues of engineering importance, and through the learned discourse proffer engineering solutions to them.

“The theme of this HMML, ‘ Harnessing Practical Engineering Solutions doe Sustainable Economic Development’ is very apt for Nigeria and the world over where sustainability is the current jingle for every developmental solution, and I am happy that very distinguished professionals have gathered here for the discourse,” he said.

Igwe challenged the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and other staff of the faculty to proffer immediate solutions to the energy crisis in the University and its environs.

Also in a remark, Prof. Emenike Ejiogu, dean, Faculty of Engineering, UNN said that the HMML series is one of the longest-running academic lecture series in any Nigeria university, noting that the faculty had instituted the lecture series in honour of Herbert Heelas Macaulay.

“The Faculty of Engineering Board resolved on October 5, 1978, to establish a Memorial Lecture series to be known as HMML, to honour Macaulay; the father of Nigerian nationalism, who trained and practiced as an engineer, architect, and surveyor.

“The first lecture was held in 1980 and has since continued every two years with many distinguished lecturers doing justice to the selected theme that the faculty board carefully selected according to the needs of time.

“This year’s (20th edition) HMML lecturer, Mrs. Egerton-Idehen is the first ever female to feature as an HMML lecturer, and she has chosen a very timely and appealing title for her lecture,” he said.

Ejiogu, who is also director, Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Power and Energy Development (ACE-SPED) UNN, commended Prof. Igwe, UNN- VC and his management team for their support and encouragement in all the endeavours of the faculty.

He also commended other lead paper presenters, relevant stakeholders and the general public who attended and contributed the the success of the 20th HMML.

The occasion was chaired by Prof. Paul Eke, a professor of Digital Technology and System Engineering, Royal Academy of Engineering, University of Leeds, United Kingdom.

The highlights of the 20th HMML include; Gown Meets Town, a Technical Exhibition of practical projects of staff and students of the faculty of Engineering and interested private and public sector companies and organizations, with products and services relevant to sustainable economic growth, Technical Symposium and Panel Discussion, Alumni Homecoming Events, Unveiling and Handover of Agbebi Alumni Class of ’85 Building, among others.

 


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NAEC to Deploy Nuclear Science for Power Generation

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Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), in collaboration with the Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT) at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria is set to leverage nuclear science and technology to enhance electric power generation in Nigeria.

NAEC to Deploy Nuclear Science for Power Generation

Prof Yusuf-Aminu Ahmed, chairman of NAEC, made this known during the 20th Anniversary Symposium of Nigeria’s first Nuclear Research Reactor-1 (NNR-1) in Zaria.

Prof Ahmed emphasised the accumulated expertise in nuclear power at the center, asserting Nigeria’s readiness to advance to the next stage of power generation through nuclear reactors. “We have utilised the reactor for research and development extensively, and now we are poised to employ it for electricity generation,” Mr Ahmed stated.

He further disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has tasked the commission with contributing to Nigeria’s clean energy initiatives, with the nuclear energy programme set to play a significant role, and noted the signing of intergovernmental agreements with some vendors.

Sen. George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation, lauded the 20 years of safe operation of the nuclear research reactor as a testament to Nigeria’s commitment to the safe application of nuclear energy.

He underscored that the successful operation of the nuclear research reactor paved the way for considering a nuclear reactor for electricity generation, echoing President Tinubu’s advocacy for nuclear energy in Nigeria’s power sources.

In his remarks, Prof Sunday Jonah, director of the center, highlighted the event’s purpose of celebrating two decades of safe operation, maintenance, and utilisation of the NNR-1.

However, amidst the achievements celebrated, Prof Jonah expressed concern over a purported attempt by NAEC to wrest control of the center from the university through the proposed NAEC Bill 2022 and cautioned that such a move would contradict the original vision of the center’s establishment within universities, designed to foster a culture of research and development.

 

 

 

 

 


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