For far too long, Nigerias leaders have ignored the hidden factors underpinning the dismal performance of the countrys university system. Recently, the newspapers quoted Namadi Sambo, Nigerias vice-president, as saying that education in the country will be radically overhauled and improved. But when considering the administrations failed efforts, one cant help wonder whether the country really deserves an academy.Lets look at the dwindling performances of prospective university students in the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination. To say the least, these results do not reflect a nation committed to higher education.
The failure rate among candidates this year was incredible. Of the 1.16 million students who wrote the English language paper in summer 2011, only 0.2 percent passed with distinction; 22.7 percent passed with credit; 6.6 percent failed; while 4.4 percent were alleged to have committed various forms of malpractice and had their papers cancelled. The remainder received only certificate passes and therefore must retake their papers to secure university admission. So only a minority of Nigerian students are qualified for university or any tertiary education, since English is one of the sectors main entry requirements.
The record in mathematics isnt much better. Of the 1.15 million candidates who sat the exam, 0.3 percent passed with distinction, 25.6 percent did so with credit and 62 percent scraped through. But the highest failure rate was recorded in core science subjects such as chemistry and biology. Sadly, these are the skills that Nigeria desperately needs right now.
The reason for the appalling results given by the registrar of the National Examination Council, Promise Okpala, is that students entered the exams without being properly prepared for them. That isnt much of an explanation.
Candidates seeking university admission in Nigeria are required to obtain at least five credits in subjects including English language and maths. After these results, it is clear that not many will make it to university. What will happen to the vast majority who have failed to meet the entry requirements?
In light of the results, perhaps it is fair to say that Nigeria doesnt deserve an academy. The majority of its students have demonstrated their inability to survive the rigours of intellectual pursuit, while its leaders continue to pass the buck and do nothing to arrest the nations educational decline, says Abubakar Al-Sadique, a lecturer in journalism and mass communication at the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, Nigeria.

(Excerpted and adapted from Times Higher Education)