NELFUND DISBURSEMENT TO IGNITIUS UTURU UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) in line with Students Loan Act (2024),  charged with the responsibility of granting interest free loan to tertiary institutions' students from poor homes, has made another batch of disbursement, to IGNITIUS UTURU UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, Rivers State, Nigeria, for the 2025/2026 academic session.

The break down of the disbursement made public is as follows:

Total Amount Disbursed: 809,325,700

Students covered: 4,649

THE MAIN CONCERN 

The fear of not working within the specified policy framework. 

The outrageous number of the benefitting students should be a major concern to the officials and the government, considering the well spelt out category of students who should be considered - students from poor or indigent families who are unable to afford tertiary education, not those who can afford but decide to beat the system in order to benefit from the usual Nigerian mentality of regarding the programme as government largesse, without intention of paying back.

Question arising:

What is the yardstick for determining beneficiaries? 

If this modality is not set, unreasonable or outrageous number of students will indicate interest, including those who can afford tertiary education in the country.

THE PROBLEM OF DATA IN NIGERIA 

Because of the poor attitude of citizens towards government's programmes or public policy, citizens who are fond of expressing the no-man's business, reckless, non-challant, and indiscriminate attitude, will stop at nothing in ensuring the programme is not implemented as specified, because they see public policy as something that is meant to be taken advantage of, not something that should be protected or well guarded for the general interest of the public. Therefore, if the parameters for selection of eligible beneficiaries are not well specified and strictly followed to the letters, it will definitely record outrageous number of beneficiaries (including high number of those who can afford tertiary education). That will be a big question to data credibility, in terms of the rate of poverty in the country. Therefore, if the programme lacks monitoring mechanism in selecting appropriate beneficiaries, conflict of data is bound to occur. This has been the general problem in the country, and for such to be arrested and addressed on time, government will have to interven effectively, so that the goal of the programme will not be defeated, and the country will not churn out skewed data. If this is acted as recommended, the image of the country in the global community will be salvaged.

REPAYMENT PLAN

Repayment plan is part and parcel of the sustainability plans, so that it will go round for more or new beneficiaries to have their turns. As usual, the Nigerian mentality is what should be fought tooth and nail, for the success of the programme, typical Nigerians see public policy as something that is meant to be taken advantage of, not something that should be protected or well guarded for the general interest of the public.

The NELFUND repayment plan has been well specified by the administrators of the programme, it has also began to record graduate beneficiaries who will soon throng the labour market. The big question that continues to stare us in the face is, do Nigerians truly ready to change their attitudes towards government's programmes like this? Are the beneficiaries willing and ready to comply strictly with the repayment plan after graduation? Not having intention of beating the system, because it amounts to shooting themselves in the leg. That is the concerned issue that should be addressed if sustainable, reliable and rewarding system must be built - no two ways about it.

SUSTAINABILITY PLAN

Will the programme ends with the administration of the incumbent president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that originated it? We cannot forget so soon other projects like this from the previous administrations. The Nigerian Youth Investment Fund, otherwise known as the youth investment bank, N-Power, etc. cannot be overlooked when situating the problem of lack of continuity of government's programmes. It is now like a norm for leaders to come in with their fresh plans, jettisons the plans of their predecessor, while the ones he brought in will be discontinued or jettisoned by his successor. And it goes on and on and on. When shall we learn lesson that government is continum.

To this end, the need arises for strengthening plans to sustain the programme, so that it will not be discontinued like others. Regardless of the cons or disadvantages, establishment of Bank of Education (BOE) is needful, to be able to coordinate and steer the programme successfully. If there are existing specialized banks such as Bank of Industry (BOI), Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), etc. why not Bank of Education (BOE) too, considering its central role in the society: being the bedrock of development.

THE BENEFITS OF HAVING A LITERATE (EDUCATED) SOCIETY

A literate society is one which is composed of or made up of vast majority of citizens who are highly educated. This signifies that such society has a very high number of population of citizens who have been thoroughly trained in a well structured and sound educational system, and they are both academically and morally sound, competent and enlightened. They constitute percentage of population who are well informed, well read, well learned and knowledgeable about the society. A literate society and educated society mean almost the same thing and can be used interchangeably.

Having a literate society is the surest and fastest way of achieving sustainable development, such that the citizens will become highly fulfilled for attaining their goal of happiness which is the ultimate quest of every man. It is a kind of a society class related issues are taken into consideration, security of lives and property of it's citizens are guaranteed. The Middle East War involving America, Israel and Iran, that witnessed great destruction of lives and property is not a type that can guarantee citizens the kind of life being described. So many were displaced and made homeless, while economic life of the people was disrupted. What are the manifestations? Hunger and abject poverty.

As stated in previous posts, the benefits of having a literate society are quite enormous, including having a lawful, stable and orderly society, adequate political inclusion through having informed, enlightened and politically active citizens in terms of participation and engagement (politically exposed persons - PEP), and appreciation of government's programmes (public policy), which results in having high maintenance culture - what Nigeria is seriously lacking at the moment. Another benefit of a literate society is having highly moral and upright citizens,  (because formal and modern education through the adoption of scientific methodology, seeks to always establish and maintain absolute truth, that is how the character of calling a spade a spade is formed), as well as seeking to maintain the liberty of citizens, by ensuring their freedom and equality of all and sundry are well protected - an essential ingredients needed to achieve development in the society.

On the whole, in a literate society, citizens are civil, cultured, moral, disciplined, upright, humane and non-barbaric.

SOME IDENTIFIABLE QUALITIES OF A LITERATE SOCIETY 

High productivity 

The rate of productivity in a literate society is quite higher than societies that are not literate. Prominently, literate societies have citizens who are highly skilled and understand the socio-economic system better. This knowledge helps them explore and exploit economic opportunities which ordinarily the uneducated or those who are not literate cannot do. Their skills guarantee efficiency and speedy results, which add surplus to production. The explanation is reflected in the earning scales of citizens - most often than not, vast majority of literate citizens earn above the poverty line, while the non-literate citizens earn below the poverty line, which is currently pegged at $2:15 per day (April 2025).

High standard of living 

When productivity is high, Standard of living will definitely be high, because there is a great relationship between both. Poverty rate is reduced to the bearest minimum in literate societies as a result of maintaining high moral values, including hard work, plus the advantage of sharpened and sophisticated skills contributing to high efficiency in productivity. When citizens earn more money, their socio-economic status will definitely go higher. Unlike a society that is not literate, mostly in developing countries, which are being characterize by low average income per head, because the citizens are mostly unskilled and limited in knowledge.

Income redistribution and income equality 

In literate societies, citizens strive to bridge the gap between the lower end the upper class, because of the standard set for themselves. For example, according to the World Bank Report, about 160 million Nigerians are living in poverty in Nigeria, a break down of the figure reveals that a very large percentage of the population are citizens who are not educated or literate. Many reasons can be deducted for this, including lack of financial education, financial indiscipline, inadequate knowledge about the economy, and how the socio-econonic system works. It is hardly to see uneducated or illiterate citizens talking about or investing in the stock exchange market and other top business enterprises that involves lots of paperwork and huge capital. They are highly limited in knowledge, which is a leading factor of their low socio-economic stutus. It was a British philosopher, Rene Descartes who said that, "knowledge is power". Therefore, if citizens are highly knowledgeable, it is a precursor for restructuring and redistribution of income in the society.

High political participation and political culture

Less abuse of powers is recorded because activities of government are being checked by citizens, owing to their enlightened and well informed status about the society, the reason they can easily hold government to account. A society that is well literate, government do not take citizens for granted. Like a British historian, Lord Acton, said "power corrupt, absolute power corrupt absolutely", and in support to this, is a famous quote by Paul Valery, "if the state is strong, it crushes us. If it is weak, we perish", underscoring the need for citizens to be fully involved in the governance process of the state, in order to hold government accountable, because they are their employee, in an ideal democratic setting.

Political stability 

Political stability is usually achieved in societies citizens are well literate and educated, because of their exposure and active involvement or participation in the political process, and having high, mature and strong political culture. So many crises occuring across the world, which have led to instability and change of government, especially in an unconstitutional means, are usually the resultant effects of political activities, rising from citizens' inability to be cultured, civil, disciplined, law-abiding and responsible. This can explain why political process, elections specifically, are usually married by violence, rigging, thuggery, arson, and miaming, in many African countries, instability is a recurring decimal. Categorically, political stability is assured or guaranteed in a literate society, while it is also a strong factor or recipe for achieving sustainable development rapidly, because government is the primary driver of social change.

Liberty

Liberty of citizens which the inalienable rights of human are subsisted, is very crucial for attainment of ultimate goal and sustainable development in the society. In many countries, especially the developing ones, it is highly suppressed and restricted. Many do not know their rights, while those who know lack the wherewithal and courage to protect them. Most unfortunately, some political systems for some reasons fail the citizens, while the political leaders and the elite class capitalize on the loopholes of the weak and incapacitated legal system, resulting in outright violation of human rights and miscarriages of justice. The citizens' become restricted or limited, while injustice, inequality and lack of freedom thrive. It is only in a literate society, with well informed and enlightened citizens, the trend can be reversed, by steering the course of having a just, orderly and egalitarian society, that will be beneficial to all, in attainment of ultimate goal. In a literate society, in the event of abuse and violation of human rights, the citizens cannot fail to speak up without fear, while the government cannot fail to act, else it will be called to order for negligence, irresponsibility and violation of social contract. Don't forget, it is the main duty of the state through its agent, the government, to ensure the security of lives and property of its citizens.

Security

To have a secure society, all hands must be on desk, not only the duty of the government the way some people are made to believe. In a literate society, security is everyone's business, while it is not so in non-literate society, the citizens don't show commitment towards social development, because of their limited knowledge. In a literate society, such is part of their moral values well inculcated or socialized, in a way that has become sacrosanct. It starts from the individual level in being mindful of the maintenance of law and order, while the reverse is the root cause and starting point of every form of insecurity. Meaningful engagement drives away idleness and redundancy, so the values of hard work dominant in a literate society, contribute in forstalling insecurity. The government cannot get this done alone, without the support of the citizens. That is why proactive measures are sought to tackle or nip in the bud, recipes and precursors of insecurity. A literate society characterized by responsive and responsible government cannot fail to keep to one of its main responsibilities of providing security to lives and property, else the educated, well informed and politically active citizens will call them to order.

A literate society will have no or less mob gang or hoodlums, because the citizens who are well educated, will be meaningfully engaged, and being cultured, civil and disciplined, by virtue of their characters (characters moulding and formation), they hardly involve in inhumane and barbaric acts. This is part and parcel of the social norms being socialized or transferred to the citizens while receiving education. The recurring election violence in Nigeria leading to gruesome killing and destruction of property, the fierce, inhumane and barbaric social discrimination in South Africa known as xenophobia and the xenophobic attacks speak volume about the subject of discourse.

Sustainable development

No society can think of development without having developed brains (literate or educated citizens). Similarly, development achieved or recorded cannot be sustained without the developed brains being productively and strategically engaged, that is one benefit of having literate citizens in the society, because sustainability of development recorded will be guaranteed. It is substantially manifested when these literate or educated citizens make up the vast majority of the population. For instance, poor maintenance culture is one of the serious challenges Nigeria and so many other developing countries are facing, reports have shown that the leading cause of this phenomenon is the citizens poor attitude towards government's programmes (public policy). The citizens because of their illiteracy, ignorance or lack of knowledge, fail to embrace and treat public projects as theirs. Another factor is the citizens' perspective towards the government, which make see anything done by government as 'their projects', a complete alienation from the institution which ought to be the primary driver of social change, which illiteracy and lack of education is largely responsible - for more explanation, see the post titled, "THE NEED FOR CHANGE OR SHIFT IN PERSPECTIVE ON GOVERNMENT IN NIGERIA". Unlike in a literate society, the citizens meaningfully engaged the government and hold them to account, while the outcomes of government (public policy) are knowledgeably well accepted and treated as theirs.

CAUSES OF THE DYING READING CULTURE IN NIGERIA

The dying reading culture in Nigeria is a worrisome social phenomenon which requires urgent remedy, because bringing to bear positive charge in this regard, to a large extend, can help Nigeria achieve sustainable development. Undoubtedly, there is a significant relationship between a 'reading cultured society' and literacy, as well as a literate society and sustainable development. A literate society is one which is mostly composed of or made up of highly educated citizens. 

As stated in previous posts, the benefits of having a literate society are quite enormous, including having a lawful, stable and orderly society, adequate political inclusion through having informed, enlightened and politically active citizens in terms of participation (politically exposed persons - PEP), and appreciation of government's programmes (public policies), which results to having high maintenance culture - what Nigeria is seriously lacking at the moment. Another benefit of a literate society is having citizens who are honest, truthful (because formal and modern education through the adoption of scientific methodology, seeks to always establish and maintain absolute truth), as well as seeking to maintain freedom, equality and justice (liberty) - essential ingredients needed to achieve development in the society.

During the colonial and pre-independent era, Nigeria had it good in the educational sector, it affected tremendously the educated populace. In fact, the country witnessed a high reading culture, perhaps, it was the result of the high standard of education, a striking opposite of what is obtainable today - the standard of education in Nigeria currently, is abysmally poor, a serious and urgent surgical operation is needed to make a meaningful reversal. There are lots of factors responsible or attributed to the dying reading culture in the country. The include the following:

I. Poor/lack of censorship 

ii. Advancement in technology 

iii. Misplaced priority: monetization and commercialization 

iv. Poor/low standard of living 

v. Promotion of examination fraud 

vi. Poor reward system 

(i) POOR/LACK OF CENSORSHIP

The existence of poor censorship by relevant authorities is a huge factor in the dying reading culture in Nigeria. Because of this inadequacy, low quality contents and half-baked ideas, which make reading uninteresting, are often published, contributing to the dwindling reading populace in the country. From observation, books and other reading materials published nowadays, lack high quality contents and deficient in knowledge based, compare to how it was in the past. In fact, so many books being published do not pass through the scrutiny of the relevant authorities, and so many unqualified persons have picked the wrong profession, often motivated by monetary gains, not seeing writing as a calling, first and foremost, which it's ethics ought to be strictly adhered to. Bring seen as all-comers-affairs, based on the factors outlined above, that is why people out of impatience and greed, will published what is unfit for public consumption (reading).

(ii) ADVANCEMENT IN TECHNOLOGY 

Advancement in technology has made reading in Nigeria less fashionable, as a result of its enticing nature. Nowadays, a phone (hand-set) has almost the same features and performs almost the same functions as a computer. Audio, video, game materials and the emergence of social media, which have really draw the interest of most Nigerians and digressed their attention from reading, which was a veritable hubby in the past. So many people now spend most of their time watching videos of interest, playing games or doing some other things on the internet which do not promote reading and personal development. Sadly, those activities are for enjoyment and entertainment purposes.

(iii) MISPLACED PRIORITY: 'MONETIZATION' AND 'CONMERCIALIZATION'

Placing priority on monetization and commercialization of ideas and text contents publishing, resulting in low value and low baked production, has greatly contributed to the dying reading culture in Nigeria. Reading becomes non fascinating or captivating because the contents are no longer worthy of affecting and moulding the character of readers, the way it ought to. Writing which ought to be a calling, suddenly became all-comers-affairs, because the motivating factor is money, especially now the internet has presidented advanced technological platforms for publishing ideas, highlighting the deficiencies and inadequacies iexisting in censorship.

(iv) POOR/LOW STANDARD OF LIVING 

So many Nigerian citizens cannot afford three square mill per day let alone affording books that could enhance the cultivation of reading culture. The low standard of living, according to the April 2025 World Bank Reports, shows that about 160 million Nigerians representing a high number of the populace who are living below the poverty line of $2.15 per day (i.e. the average income per head or income per Capita). This is not a good omen for the country, as the dying reading culture has become one of it's multi-plier effects.

(v) PROMOTION OF EXAMINATION FRAUD

The affected citizens in this category are mainly students, although labourers/workers are not exempted. Examination fraud is undisputedly at an alarming rate, and very little is being done to put a stop to it. Students have become oblivious of the fact that reading (studying) is the main and basic characteristics of studentship.As a result of exploring illegitimate ways of passing examination, reading has become less fashionable. Without reading, the essence of going to school is absolutely lost. The development where examination fraud is highly promoted instead of combating it, contribute immediately in killing reading culture in Nigeria.

(vi) POOR REWARD SYSTEM 

When citizens lack motivating force which ordinarily should be derived from having a good reward system, because hard work no longer pays. In this context, several ways of achieving one's dreams or goals in life exist, by cutting corners or through illegitimate means, instead of personal development which mostly occurs by intensive reading. In other words, inability of Nigeria to reward hard work is the leading cause of the dying reading culture. For example, interview has ceased to become the main yardstick for appraising job applicants. Similarly, promotion examination which used to be a norm before a worker is elevated, is fast becoming secondary. The slogan now is, who do you know, rather than what do you know and what can you do.

INSIGHT ON THE MANDATORY ENTRENEURSHIP CERTIFICATE PROGRAMME FOR STUDENTS IN FEDERAL TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA.

The Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Business Incubation Certification (EIBIC) programme initiated by the Federal Government of Nigeria, is set to kick-start this year, 2026, with 14 federal universities designated to pilot the programme, while intending to expand it across all federal universities by next year, 2027, by 2928, to all tertiary institutions - polytechnics and colleges of education. The EIBIC is designed for students in the tertiary institutions as a compulsory entrepreneurship development Programme that will run simultaneously with conventional academic programmes, from first level to final. The students will receive additional certificate in entrepreneurship upon completion, alongside the usual academic degree.

Entrepreneurship is key and central to the present reality (unemployment) facing the labour market in Nigeria. It is believed that entrepreneurship has what it takes to remedy or address the biting social phenomenon that has continued to bedevil the country, especially, when factoring in related human development indices such as average income per head (income per Capita) and standard of living (SOL). The worrisome situation has continued to stir up or triggered thought-provoking initiatives especially around the tertiary institutions, because it boats of producing the biggest percentage of the unemployed population in Nigeria.

There are so many unsuccessful initiatives made by the government towards solving unemployment in Nigeria, especially for students who will later constitute part of the problem, when they might have graduated. The introduction of mandatory entrepreneurship certificate programme (EIBIC) for students in tertiary institutions is the newest, followiing the introduction of compulsory entrepreneurship course across the tertiary institutions' curriculum some years ago.(about 2006/2007), by the National Universities Commission (NUC), with the aim of solving graduates unemployment challenge in the country, and it was effective from the 2007/2008 academic session. However, it has not fully yielded expected result due to poor implementation, focusing basically on theoretical aspect.

In view of the above, there are critical and actionable strategies that should be highlighted and mainstreamed by the relevant stakeholders, especially Ministry of Education, NUC, and the various universities, if this laudable initiative will yield expected result. These include:

(1) SUSTAINABILITY PLANS

It should not only stop at issuance of certificates, because such is what education is mainly not. That is why the certificate aspect of the programme should not be celebrated or mainstreamed. Efforts should be channeled towards what the students will use the knowledge and exposure for, during and after graduation. Effective follow-up mechanism for monitorring and evaluating performance and resilience (stability) of ventures that will be set up by students should be the underlying issue. Such designed plan should be well researched on, in order to reap expected benefits of the programme.This should form core part of implementation plans, to emphasize its seriousness and importance to the success of the programme. Part of the strategy should include establishing strong partnership and collaboration with relevant government's departments, agencies and ministries, to assist in monitoring the growth and resilience of the ventures that will be created by students during and after graduation. For example, National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Ministry of Youths Development, National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), etc. can be brought in for effective joint implementation of the sustainability project of the EIBIC Programme.

Another aspect of the sustainability plans is the participatory monitoring and evaluation (PM&E), which should be expanded beyond the  concerned implementing organizations, to include supportive organizations such as mentioned above; the main aim is to factor in the transitioning process from studentship to graduate level, which the school management may not have direct control over them, to ensure effective implementation of the programme. For this to be effectively achieved, all hands, specifically the relevant stakeholders, must be on desk, to ensure gaps are identified for actionable steps to be taken and targets are met.This is part of what will guarantee the success of the EIBIC programme.

(2) STRONG PARTNERSHIP AND COLLABORATION PLANS

This EIBIC Programme is too big for only one or two organizations to implement successfully, the transitioning process and the referral components that will connect so many of her organizations, makes the plans extremely necessary. Aside from the government, the private organizations fit in very well for this purpose, perhaps as part of discharging their corporate social responsibility (CSR) to the public, and we'll meaning citizens, to successfully drive the programme. This should commence immediately fresh students are enrolled or onboarded into the programme in their first level, to ensure smooth continuity and should be designed to take effect in stages, as they move from various stages in life.

The programme transcends studentship, the schools alone and may be the relevant regulatory body will be incapacitated or limited, in terms of resources to execute it effectively. There is need for strong partnership and collaboration to guarantee needed support, especially on sustainability drive, which should focus primarily on the sustainable implementation of the programme after graduation. The private sector should be seriously tasked to help contribute in this regard. Many government's programme have failed due to lack of sustainability strategy, this should not follow the same failed pattern.

(3) PRACTICAL AND LUCRATIVE VENTURES/PROJECTS DEVELOPMENT FOR EACH STUDENT 

practical and projects development should be mainstreamed, instead of certificates, so that students can be able to create innovative sustainable projects that will translate into job creation before graduation. Don't tell me the incentive or motivation is to have double certificates upon graduation. The programme should take the form of undergraduate research project, which is a partial fulfilment for the award of a degree. However, the EIBIC Programme should be more concerned with the practical skills of the students in the specific area of interest, to guarantee proficiency and profitability in the area of one's business or enterprise. Similarly, the project development should form part of the fulfilment requirements for the award of the entrepreneurship certificate, on graduation.

The practical project development should be bothered on or centred around sustainability drive, in a way that would enhance job creation and employability status of prospective graduates. The long term plan of such project development should be the core yardstick for undertaking it, as will be scrutinized by the relevant authorities for subsequent approval. Don't forget, the primary objective is to create jobs and reduce alarming unemployment rate bedeviling the country.

(4) INTERNSHIP/INDUSTRIAL TRAINING (IT)

Internship and industrial training(IT) is usually undergone by students in their various areas of study or specialty, for the purpose of obtaining practical skills on the knowledge acquired in school. This should happen for mastery, exposure and experience sake, especially for those with interest in the technical related field. Since the EIBIC Programme involves the entire tertiary institutions, some students would definitely pick interest in technical related ventures, perhaps based on their field of study, which may demand enrollment for internship programme to obtain practical experience before being able to set up something similar. There are so many businesses that require such process before one is able to set one up . 

The point of emphasis is this: such internship programme is definitely more useful and important than certificate, hence the need it should be mainstreamed, for the successful implementation of the EIBIC programme.

THE PLIGHTS OF NIGERIAN GRADUATES

Graduates are category of people who have passed through either college, mono -tecnique, polytechnic or university known as higher institution. Put differently, they are set of people who have received higher education which make them part of skilled labour or skilled work force, and it emphatically portrays their usefulness in the society. Because of huge complexities and myriad of challenges defining the country, Nigerian graduates have been greatly affected, and are faced with serious numerous plights which are desperately beaconing for redress, so that the purpose of acquiring higher education will not be defeated; considering the prevailing situation of education in the country - low quality and standard - as a result of misplaced priority because it is not given adequate attention by relevant stakeholders in the country.

These plights will clearly be discussed in two parts, namely cultural expectations and social changes which involve predominant challenges or conditions, as well as highlighting the main mitigating factors for remedying the worrisome situation.

CULTURAL EXPECTATIONS 

This is mostly concerned with what the society accept and believe to be their way of life.In this context, what the society generally accept and believe (social norms) and what they  hold in high esteem (social values).Thhese include but not limited to the following:

1 Employment:

Nigeria's society believe that immediately one becomes a graduate, job should be ready speedily, specifically, white collar job. If it fails to happen that way, such graduate is regarded as a failure, forgetting that modern society is very complex and dynamic, and always in the state of flux. Notably, attention has been shifted from that colonial heritage (attitude towards employment), based on present prevailing circumstances, i.e. from 'white collar jobs' to 'other colored collar jobs', expressing a paradigm shift in the long standing and deeply rooted attitude or practice of gaining secretariat and salaried employment after graduation. This was a colonial roadmap to have highly skilled work force in the civil service in order to help further their colonial perpetuation. In light of the above, it should be well instituted and we'll publicized that white collar job is no longer fashionable. People no longer go to school in order to have paid employment. That old fashion attitude should be completely dismantled.

2 Rich And Wealthy Attitude:

Nigeria's society believe that the sole aim of going to higher institution is to come out and become rich and lives in affluence. Education or being a graduate does not make someone rich and wealthy - it is a misconception and erroneous belief which has been dominant and widespread for many decades in the country. In order to arrest this wrong belief, the country should design and implement an effective attitudinal re-orientation programme, to educate and create awareness, that will help disabuse the minds and belief system of Nigerians.Basically and traditionally, the main aim of gaining higher education is for solving social problems, and if properly or legitimately channeled, can fetch one riches and wealth.

3 Change In Social Status

Nigeria's society believe that gaining higher education elevates one's social status and fixes one in a highly esteemed class. People troop to higher institutions to become graduates, yet many are not educated, creating another layer of social problem which continues to haunt the country and stalls it's development process.

4 Family Expectations

Many are graduates because of family expectations such as pride, status and feud. Families who indulge in age long feud usually send their children to study courses such as law, in order to help them prosecute cases. In terms of pride and class of age-long rivalry. Many Families usually see such achievement as enviable feat and a wonderful reference point, to have members who are graduates from institution of higher learning (source of pride).

SOCIAL CHANGES

These are predominant and prevailing conditions common in the Nigerian society, as a result of it's dynamic nature, clearly expressing the fact that things have changed, since every society is always in the state of flux. Some of the highlighted aspects of change constituting plights for Nigerian graduates include:

1 Unemployment

Gone are the days jobs were hunting or chasing graduates, during and immediately after graduation. The reverse is the case now, as graduates are the ones seriously in stiff competition, hunting and chasing for few available jobs in the country. The unfortunate limited opportunities - resulting in unemployment - is a serious social manace currently facing Nigerian graduates and the Nigerian state. It can be addressed largely by the government, being the primary agent of social change.

2 Low Quality And Standard Education 

The intention of going to school is to acquire education and relevant skills from the trainings one will pass through. However, with low quality education, Nigerian graduates are not well trained and skilled, having serious negative effects on their employability, which most often leads to unemployment and under-employment. At the larger scale, it causes low national productivity and depletion in productive forces (PF) of Nigeria. Lack or inadequate skilled labour or man power is the product of low quality and standard education. This can create a situation of available employment opportunities, with graduates lacking eligibility requirements because the quality of education is incapable of producing highly trained and skilled graduates. This definitely contributes to the plights of Nigerian graduates.

3 Half-baked Graduates

Nowadays, too much emphasis on paper qualifications rather than competence, has largely contributed to Nigerian graduates being tagged as half-baked, incompetent and mediocres, because acquiring ideal education is no longer a top priority for most students. That is why the rate of examination malpractice is alarming in the country, because students go extra miles or out of the way, to acquire certificates which the cannot defend. The consequences of this phenomenon are grave and enormous, to the graduates who will be under-employed and the Nigerian state, in witnessing decrease and incompetence in national work force - the resultant effects are inadequate productive forces and low national productivity.

THE WAY FORWARD 

First and foremost, education across all levels should be prioritized, in terms of funding, curriculum design (being in tune with present realities) and effective monitoring, while adequate attention should be paid to quality and standard, to increase skills, competence and employability of graduates. More importantly, from all segments of the Nigerian society, entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial skills should be advocated, promoted and advanced, for job creation and self employment. In view of the above, Nigerian educational system should be designed and tailored towards the advancement of this lofty idea, if the pursuit of sustainable development will see the light of day. And, this will definitely eradicate or alleviate the plights Nigerian graduates are facing.

THE IMPORTANCE OF UNIVERSITY EDUCATION

 A lot of people lack knowledge and understanding about the importance of having university education. The myopia of looking at life and success only from the angle or perspective of material possession further aggravates the situation, eading to gradual loosing of the essence of the existence of the institution of higher learning. Considering our predominant or prevalent social values - materialism- which has become a huge jeopardy in understanding what ought to be, informed this piece. The critical concern is the alarming rate people have forgotten the ideal essence of university education, and myopically pursuing a mirage - the unweavery and deep seated attitude and orientation that acquiring university education helps people escape poverty, amass wealth and elevates one's social status + this is a key factor for incompetence and mediocrity, leading to over - reliance  and unnecessary promotion of paper qualifications (credentials), over competence, creativity and discovery, as we used to have in the past. In other words, it is no longer a citadel of learning, research, and a veritable ground for building or cultivating sound social values, that will help bring development.

Now the question that should help solve this serous misnomer is: why do people really go to the university? Or what is the main or ideal essence of having university education? The answer, no doubt, will help straighten the record and erase every misunderstanding and ignorance.

1. LEARNING OR EDUCATION

University education makes people learned or educated. Learned people are those who have been well socialized, and have adequately cultivated the norms, standard and conformity of the society.These set of people have also imbibed social adjustment, social maturity and social tolerance - making them responsible and law-abiding citizens Maintenance of order, peace and stability become possible when a society is predominantly made up of learned or educated people.

2. SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT 

University education is development oriented, because it is geared towards conducing research with the aim of solving emerging social problems; mainly through discoveries and invention - beyond patriotism acquired from civic or citizenship studies - that is why the educated are more development oriented than the uneducated. Their knowledge, experience, exposure, etc. are great advantage to the subject of comparison. And it clearly supports why they are more law-abiding.

3. PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT 

University education helps to build generally acceptable values, virtues, morals and ethics that guide individual's conduct and lifestyle, in all sphere of human endeavour, in order to help them secure a successful living. It also builds intellect, sharpens horizon and enhances cognitive prowess. University education helps develop skills and capacity that will enable sustainable means of livelihood to excel  after graduation - that is why university graduates should not complain about unemployment.

In summary, decadence has created so much vacuum in our society today, hence the reason for witnessing absolute digression from what it ought to be, including the essence of university education. It becomes needful to advocate the return to the basics in this regard. Therefore, acquiring university education should first and foremost be seen from the perspective of building the society, and not exploiting it.

WHAT SHOULD BE ADOPTED AS ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCESSING NELFUND FOR GRADUATE/POST-GRADUATE CATEGORY

 The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) is a Federal Government initiative formulated in line with or for the purpose of implementing the Students Loan Act of 2024.The Government has mapped out plan for the implementation of the initiative with undergraduate category being the first phase,, while the graduate or post-graduate category is intended for the next phase. Meanwhile, the enactment of the act of the Parliament and the subsequent formulation of NELFUND occured for the purpose of granting loan to students who cannot afford higher or tertiary education in Nigeria. 

Arguably, NELFUND for graduate/post-graduate category is more needful and will benefit Nigeria more than the undergraduate category, because of the numerous positive multi-plier or attendant effects it will yield as dividend to the public. Beside the necessity, affordability is another important point to discuss, as graduate/post-graduate studies is mostly self-sponsored academic activity in Nigeria, unlike the undergraduate studies that is mostly sponsored by parents and guardians, and it is relatively affordable.

RATIONALE/JUSTIFICATIONS FOR GRANTING NELFUND TO GRADUATE/POST-GRADUATE CATEGORY 

(I) Research 

Nigeria is seriously lagging behind in research and the man challenge responsible for this is lack of fund or sponsorship. Elsewhere, research is a very serious business because of it's importance in the society. Government, the private sector and we'll meaning individuals invest hugely in it, in order to have improved and updated knowledge about their activities, invention of new ideas and methods of doing things, as well as advancement in existing technologies, so that they will be properly guided in decision making process and solving social problems, be it in business, investment, governance, education, agriculture, health, sciences, environment, etc. Research activity is not well appreciated in Nigeria, this is why NELFUND should be strategically deployed for promotion of the said activity. How will this be achieved? It is unarguable that graduate/post-graduate studies (PGD, Masters and PhD) is basically research based, and granting interested applicants loan will drastically increase research activities in the country. Therefore, this is one important reason NELFUND for graduate/post-graduate category should be speedily activated.

(ii) Highly Skilled Man Power and Work Force 

NELFUND for graduate/post-graduate category will massively add to or increase the rate of Nigeria's skilled and highly skilled man power and work force. This is because the boost will definitely be coming from the fraction of the said population who could not have been able to afford such education ordinarily. No doubt, the importance of having great number of highly skilled work force cannot be over-stressed, especially in relation to the country's sustainable development drive; as it will increase the efficiency of Nigeria's productive forces (PF), which in turn, will lead to tangible economic growth It is on this basis, the process for the implementation of the lofty initiative should be fast-tracked by the government. 

(iii) High Cost/Non Affordability

parents, guardians and sponsors can afford undergraduate level education because it is more affordable than the graduate/post-graduate level. Government should really take into consideration the high cost of acquiring graduate/post-graduate education, to justify the granting of NELFUND, in order to express the acceptability and harnessing of the Population-education strategy, discussed extensively in a web page titled, "Is It Brain Drain Or Labour Migration?" Indeed, the government of Nigeria can take advantage of it's abundant human resources, by developing it to become human capital, which will benefit the country immensely. The high cost of graduate/post-graduate studies has denied so many eligible and interested Nigerians the opportunity of enrollment. So, activating or implementing NELFUND initiative in that category, will help such people further their studies.

(iv) Prompt/Quick Repayment 

Undoubtedly, graduates or post-graduate students stand a high chance of repaying the students loan more quickly than beneficiaries in the undergraduate category; this is because of myriad of opportunities that will be available to them, based on their level of knowledge and capacity to be productive - with high preference in the competitive labour market. They will also have opportunities to earn higher than those in the undergraduate category, because of their competence, skills and capacity. With strict measures put in place for repayment and availability of money, it is likely that beneficiaries in this category will respond positively to repayment, than those in the undergraduate category. This should spur the relevant government's personnel to speedily act based on this sound justification.

WHAT SHOULD BE ADOPTED AS ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCESSING NELFUND FOR GRADUATE/POST-GRADUATE CATEGORY 

Below are the effective criteria or requirements that should be instituted for granting loan to graduate/post-graduate category from NELFUND, which is an initiative for the implementation of the Students Loan Act (2024). In this regard, each requirement forming part of what will produce eligible beneficiaries, MUST be centred around research, which the graduate/post-graduate programmes represent.

(i) Research Proposal

The primary eligibility requirement for accessing NELFUND at graduate/post-graduate category should be research based, other requirements should be secondary, since graduate/post-graduate programme is basically research-oriented. This will speak volume of government's intention to promote research using the initiative. To this end, it should not be designed for students who are only pursuing certificates at the expense of the main thing. It means that those who are not research-minded should be disqualified or denied the opportunity, for the sake of national development, because no country can witness optimum growth without prioritizing research activities.

Research Proposal should be well scrutinized by relevant officials/authorities and satisfactrily defended by applicants before granted loan. The scrutiny should be taken very seriously to weed out unqualified and unserious minded applicants who intend to take advantage of the process, by cutting corners, probably submitting undefendable or already existing research proposal, which may not have any value or relevance to the challenges facing the country, as every research is aimed at solving a problem.

(ii) Update of existing body of knowledge 

For knowledge to remain valid and relevant, it must be continuously updated, and this cannot happen outside conducting further research on the subject. In this regard, any genuine research proposal aimed at updating existing body of knowledge should be encouraged, by granting loan to such applicants for graduate/post-graduate studies. Its importance cannot be over-emphasized, because of its ability (validity and reliability) in explaining existing challenges in the society, which remedies or solutions are easily provided.

(iii) Advancement/Innovation in Local and Indigenous Technologies 

Because of the prevailing circumstance, in relation to the current global economic order - globalization - which has come to stay, there is need for Nigeria to take advantage of the technologically-driven process. And this cannot happen outside research-related programme, which should be easily driven by government, being the primary driver of social change. The emergence of NELFUND is a welcome development, to help drive home this lofty project of advancing local/indigenous technologies.

In view of the above, having a research proposal that is aimed at or tailored towards technological innovation of local/indigenous technologies/products should be a good requirement for accessing NELFUND at the graduate/post-graduate category.

(iv) Need-Based Research Problem 

The government/relevant authorities should shoulder this responsibility of identifying problem areas or aspects in the Nigerian state which require urgent and viable intervention. Research approach to a large extend, can help the country solve them; fortunately, solutions provided through research is usually long lasting and holistical, as such identifiad problem is dissected or x-rayed holistically, taking into consideration the likely and perceived factors triggering the problems. In this case, intended applicants should be offered a research area or problem based on the need in the country, in order to help in solving existing problems that will move the country forward.

This is one effective way the country can channel human resources appropriately, by ensuring that interested applicants, who are research-minded, are granted loan, after being examined based on the proposal on the identified problem issued by the government, through the relevant authorities. NELFUND therefore, should be well considered and weighed by government as an effective tool for solving myriad of problems in Nigeria, through research. Don't forget, internet which has become unprecedented invention today, is a product of research. People saw the need to take communication to another level, and the resultant effect is what has connected the entire world and turned it to a global village, such that communication to any part of the world occurs at the speed of light. Nigeria can borrow a leaf from that model to spur the citizens up with NELFUND, because discoveries and inventions are achieved from research.

In summary, government cannot afford to neglect research due to its positive consequences. That is why NELFUND for graduate/post-graduate category should be designed or tailored towards solving the problem of low research activities in Nigeria.

THE DYING READING CULTURE IN NIGERIA

Reading is a vital topic in psychology, social and behavioral sciences, as well as in education. It is a key activity in the process of learning and education of a man., because itis aimed at building character and the development of the cognitive organ. Reading can be defined as the process of recognizing, written and printed works or understanding; an act of reading or studying a book, newspaper, documents, etc. From the forgoing, it becomes apparent that the whole essence of reading is for human development. The contemporary era has witnessed tremendous distraction and diversion of attention from reading, and the saddening situation is precipitated by the prevailing reality in the society, i.e. the emergence of advancement in technology, which is a direct substitution for the hitherto existing order. In other words, the dying reading culture in Nigeria is largely blamed on advancement in technology.

Low quality and standard education in Nigeria is a true reflection of poor reading culture in Nigeria. Students across all level of education now devise easier means of passing examination, involving in all sort of examination malpractice, because they lack the confidence to depend on their brains, as a result of not involving  in reading, which is supposed to be the primary activity of students, regardless of level - what else do students do beyond reading? It is unfathomable or unimaginable to think of anything else outside reading, else education in the country should remain a big joke. This message should be sounded to all students as emphasis to ensuring the building of a lifestyle or culture of reading.

Another sector which poor reading culture in Nigeria truly reflects, is the media - specifically the print. Media traditionally, is classified into two namely the broadcast (radio and TV) and the print  (reading); not forgetting the emergence of the new media officially known as 'the social media', made possible by the advancement in technology, facilitated by communication gadgets and computers. The level of patronage in the print media is at its lowest ebb, because Nigerians no longer read. They prefer to watch and listen than reading, because  entertainment and enjoyment have become the driving Values in the country. In other words, watching and listening are entertaining, enjoying and simple, while reading is tedious and rigorous, yet the most impactful in the development of the brain and character. Some decades ago, the reverse was the case, as a result of the existence of high level of reading culture and non emergence of communication technologies. Newspapers, magazines, periodicals etc have been out of business because of low patronage, necessitated by ack of interest in reading, although ICT has been slowly complementing with innovations in the internet, that is why it boils down to what really captivates the interest of Nigerians among these preferences - listening, watching and reading. Arguably, reading will continue to remain the most potent and efficacious options vis-a-vis human and cognitive development, hence the need for laying this strong emphasis.

SOME FACTORS THAT TRIGGER THE DYING READING CULTURE IN NIGERIA.

1 POOR REWARD SYSTEM 

The Nigerian system and specifically the educational system does not promote hard work, excellence and competence. That is why mediocrity and incompetence are preferred, especially in education and labour sectors. While students no longer read to pass examination (indulge in fraud or malpractices), paper qualifications (which graduates cannot defend) become preferable in the labour market over competence and capacity, for applicants and workers alike.

2 ADVANCEMENT IN TECHNOLOGIES

Nigerians have found a substitute or replacement for reading, and it is facilitated by information and communication technologies (ICT). The length of time many, especially the young ones, who are supposed to be developing their minds through reading, spend on watching television and operating various communication devices or gadgets daily, is worrisome. It has gradually shifted interest away from reading, an indicative of a society that is not literate. As stated earlier, reading is an activity which builds and develop the mind more than any other, that is why the interest should be awakened among Nigerians.

3 INADEQUATE CENSORSHIP

publishing has become all-comers affair. The system is producing half-baked authors whose primary interest is money making above high quality ideas/contents. The emergence of ICT which has introduced avalanche of publishing platforms with minimal censorship, is a contributing factor for poor reading culture in Nigeria. This has led to the production of junk and half-baked ideas, which helps in killing reading interest. Authorities responsible for censoring publication of reading content, are not living up to their billing., considering is a serious challenge emergence of ICT has introduced. So, quality contents can help in resurrecting the dying reading culture in Nigeria. Because reading contents can span physical books, online articles, and broadcast/digital media, different specialized agencies handle censorship depending on the medium. For instance, the digital contents, websites and social media, it is the Nigerian Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in conjunction with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) that is responsible for censorship.

EFFECTIVE REMEDIES/MEASURES FOR RESURRECTING THE DYING READING CULTURE IN NIGERIA.

1 PUBLICATION OF HIGH QUALITY CONTENTS

Having high quality contents can go along way in captivating and sustaining reading interest among the Nigerian populace. So, authorities responsible for  censoring reading contents should do more, especially now ICT has redefined and reshaped publication business.

2 INSTITUTION OF EXCELLENT REWARD SYSTEM 

The kind of reward system that promotes hard work, competence and merit should be instituted, to avoid mediocrity and failure. For example, merit system should be upheld in the recruitment process, while hard work and competence should be acknowledged in academic and educational sector. Mind you, the only way to benefit from such excellent and merit reward system is by being very studious. It should be mainly about what one can do, not necessarily having excellent results alone, which one may unable to defend convincingly.

3 INSTITUTION OF EFFECTIVE SENSITIZATION PROGRAMMES

Relevant stakeholders especially the government should initiate effective programmes to sensitize Nigerians on the saddening dying state of reading culture as well as the effective measures to resurrect it. For the young population, involving mostly students, attention should be shifted away from modern communication techniques, a direct substitute for reading interest. The print media should take advantage of the emerging ICT and the new media to stimulate and sustain reading interest among Nigerians. It will also help to rescue the young minds from the prison yard of ICT, providing them only with excitement, excapede and entertainment that militate against their cognitive development, a disturbing occurrence which does not really help in social development. Better still,, ICT can be used for promoting reading and help in resurrecting dying reading culture in Nigeria. It is part of the sensitization programme that should be initiated.

In conclusion, there is no better alternative to reading as far as cognitive and human development is concerned. That fact should be well stressed, across all strata of the society. If reading culture is resurrected, it will help Nigeria become a literate society, an essential indicator for development.

HOW THE DYING READING CULTURE IN NIGERIA CAN BE RESURRECTED

This is a follow up to the previous post titled "THE DYING READING CULTURE IN NIGERIA".

The fact that the culture of reading in Nigeria is dying shows that there is a glimse of hope, because it can be resurrected or revived. For revival to take place, certain actions must be taken, while all hands must be desk. The critical issue which requires utmost attention is the unawareness of so many citizens, or inability to be knowledgeable about the negative impact the absence of the subject is creating in the Nigerian state. Importantly, to establish a strong nexus or relationship between the existence of the culture of reading and literate society/country, and how it can help Nigeria achieve sustainable development 

In view of the above, the following points will be x-rayed in details, as panacea for resurrecting reading culture in Nigeria:

I. Provision of adequate censorship by government 

ii. Capitalizing on/exploring of advancement in technology 

iii. Putting a stop to examination fraud

iv. Organizing books fair 

v. Organizing reading challenge programmes

vi. Improvement in standard of living 

(I) PROVISION OF ADEQUATE CENSORSHIP BY GOVERNMENT 

Did you know that the method or system of publishing literally contents has greatly changed over time? Authors no longer pay attention to regulatory or censoring guidelines, sadly many do not know such are in existence. Nigeria has many regulatory and censorship bodiies including the Nigerian Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) esponsible for censoring digital contents, websites and social media, in conjunction with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and others which approve all kinds of reading contents produced in Nigeria. The concern here is specifically on literally or readable contents, not video or audio contents. Writing has now become all comers affairs, little wonder those without the basic and necessary skills, who are strongly motivated by monetary gains, resort to publishing half-baked ideas or knowledge. The resultant effect is that the many junks published lack high taste, quality and standard. They only become prolific producing unworthy or low quality contents, unlike what was obtainable in the past, where writing of books and other materials was time consuming, to avoid feeding the public with half-baked ideas. 

This subject treated here is a great national concern to Nigeria, borne out of keen interest and observation, promoting so many questions why people no longer have interest in reading, why government is not up and doing or living up to expectations, and why the ethics of writing are no longer maintained. Do not forget, great ideas in this world are hidden in books, not radio or TV, not the modern communication gadgets. It is aimed at stirring or stimulating thoughts for a possible shift that will result into attitudinal change or cultural renaissance in reading. Has it ever occurred to people how many years and decades it took to write or author great and important books with tremendous global relevance? Did you get to know how long it took for books such as Things Fall Apart, Long Walk To Freedom, There Was A Country, How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, etc? 

Writing of books and other reading materials is a serious calling which in recent time, due to so many social ills and decadence, has been hijacked by business men and fraudsters, whose primary interest is monetization and commercialization, to the detriment of quality and standard. Since books and other reading materials are meant to build or mould characters, the producers of such should be people of high integrity, who can defend or maintain the truth at all cost, which also should be a true reflection of the contents they are producing, in order to affect the readers positively. Government can interven, I mean the concerned regulatory body, to ensure regulatory guidelines for publishing are strictly followed, while also making necessary reforms, in line with existing realities, to address the impact of the changing time. It can enable or contribute to people becoming enthusiastic and captivating about reading

(ii) CAPITALIZING ON/EXPLORING OF ADVANCEMENT IN TECHNOLOGY 

The same manner advancement in technology has made many people lost interest in reading, same way it can be used positively to stir up or stimulate reading interest. Advancement in technology has considerably made contents publishing all comers affair. Reading contents publishing on the internet platforms lacks proper and adequate censorship. Which agency of government is responsible for regulating reading or text contents publishing, and specifically on the internet, which is the leading manifestation of the advancement in technology? The monetizing and commercializing attitude of publishers is a leading cause of publishing half-baked and low quality ideas/contents. They do not take out adequate time to produce something qualitative and sustainable.

Moreover, the preference of listening and viewing over reading, is being redefined by advancement in technology. Audio, picture and video contents are now more marketable or in hot demand on the internet than text contents. The application of innovations that will redefine the reading or text contents publishing on the internet with same advanced technology, is a remedy and recommendation that can resurrect the dying reading culture in Nigeria. How can this be achieved? First and foremost, it should be established that there lots of activities sustaining people's interest, especially on the internet. Technological advancement can be used to sustain readers' interest and evoke enjoyment and entertainment. Authors and publishers need to think out of the box by designing innovations that are in tune with existing realities, in order to revive the dying reading culture in the country.

(iii) PUTTING A STOP TO EXAMINATION FRAUD

Examination fraud reduces self confidence and causes students inability to build the needed capacity to defend the knowledge acquired or transferred. It kills ingenuity and self initiatives and causes inability to be independent, both in thoughts and actions - many citizens of Nigeria who have passed through school or obtain education, lack capacity to start up something on their own, because the knowledge obtained is not personalized in them, and capacity to instigate such is absent. Addressing this issue squarely can drastically reduce unemployment in the country, because citizens will take up self initiatives or entrepreneurship to make ends meet (Means of Livelihood -MOL).

(iv) ORGANIZING BOOKS FAIR

For availability and affordability of books - since so many people who could have had interest in reading are discouraged as a result of inaccessibility to books. Remember, one has to read book on the area of interest, to sustain momentum, not any kind book he or she stumbles on.

Books fair affords people opportunity to have books at affordable rate, because the alarming rate of low standard of living by citizens, who are living below poverty line, as well as having access to books which could not have been easily accessible. This kind of programme should target the rural localities mostly because they constitute a larger portion or percentage of illiteracy rate in the country.

(v) ORGANIZING READING CHALLENGE PROGRAMMES

Basically for the purpose of creating awareness and laying emphasis on the need for cultivating reading culture. Such programmes can spur People's interest in reading, while they should be non-discretionary in terms of social status, academic attainment, age grade, religion, etc. Government, private organizations, public spirited individuals, can invest in making ideas of this nature a reality, impactful and sustainable. Part of how it should be conducted is by making books available and accessible, to avoid the excuse of not being able to afford books.

(vi) IMPROVEMENT IN STANDARD OF LIVING (SOL)

Many people in Nigeria lack interest in reading as a result of being unable to afford books. The low standard of living in the country is alarming, it is a contributing factor to the dying reading culture in Nigeria. So many Nigerian citizens, about 139 million are living below the poverty line of $2.15 per day, according to the April 2025 World Bank Reports. How on earth will citizens within the said bracelet think of buying books, with the current hardship resulting from inflationary rate and devaluation of naira, when it is a difficult task meeting the human's basic needs, especially feeding? This is why books fair and reading challenge programmes should be regularly organized, for affordability, availability and accessibility of books.

INSIGHT ON THE TREND FOR UPGRADE OF COLLEGE OF EDUCATION TO UNIVERSITY IN NIGERIA

 There are different cadres or tiers of tertiary institutions (i.e. institutions of higher learning), with unique and peculiar functions, which nust be well recognized. Regarding the manner which they are designed or formed, one should not be more important than the other, instead, efforts should be made towards having a clear and sound interpretation of their various functions, in order to effectively appreciate their impacts, considering the central place of education in social development. If changes are made to this effect, in terms of functions or status, the way it is being agitated for by some section of the populace, the meaning and essence of the various tertiary institutions as originally designed, may be lost, and that will be a serious threat to development. So the upgrade of status and type of degree being awarded, could be a misplaced priority, if adequate consideration is not made. 

What is the striking difference between university of education and college of education? It is only a semantic issue if proper interpretation is given the subject, in relation to its unique and perculiar functions. Originally, college of education is a specialized institution of higher learning or an academy charged with the responsibility of training qualified teachers, especially for primary and secondary school levels, in the case of Nigeria. That is why, it is not just a conventional school.To this end, the change of name or status to university is absolutely needles, because its meaning and essence will completely be lost. 

Across the world, as a traditional practice, specialized institutions of higher learning or academies are not mixed up with conventional institutions; their status backed by their various functions, are being maintained or protected in order to obtain social cohesion and stability. There are so many colleges with different specialties including college of nursing sciences, college of aviation, college of agriculture, college of health sciences, college of management sciences, defense academy, institute of technology, institute of economics and politics, maritime academy, etc. Notably, what define them are their unique and peculiar functions which cannot be substituted.

Rather than delving in to  the change of name or status to university, which some Nigerians erroneously perceive university as being superior to college of education, whereas it is not so - they should be adjudged or rated based on their peculiar functions. In this regard, the belief about the superiority of the university over college of education should be discarded, because that will amount to adopting wrong basis for judgement. Both are not the same and should not rival each other, the same manner the three (3) arms or organs of government (legislature, executive and the judiciary) do not exercise similar functions, but jointly form government. If an arm is omitted or separated from the rest, the meaning of government is absolutely incomplete, so it is with the various tertiary institutions.Therefore, this petite misunderstanding and ignorance should be settled once and for all. 

UPGRADE OF COLLEGE OF EDUCATION TO DEGREE AWARDING INSTITUTION 

As earlier stated, the name, be it college, polytechnic or university, does not really matter, we should not get ourselves confused or deceived any longer. Rather, we should be looking at the possibility of raising the standard of our colleges of education and other tertiary institutions to a level they can run or administer degree programmes (Bachelor of Education - B.ed, Bachelor of Technology - B.Tech), just like the university, instead of the certificate programme, Nigerian Certificate of Education (NCE) or Higher National Diploma, in the case of polytechnic. College of education, if met the standard requirements, with proper adjustment or amendment of relevant legal frameworks, can run degree programmes, like the university - the current agitation for polytechnics in Nigeria to award a B.Tech I.e. bachelor of technology degree, is incessantly being discussed in the floor of the National Assembly, to erase the gap and settle the dichotomy between the university degree (B.Sc) and polytechnic's (HND), is a welcome development so many Nigerians have embraced. It is quite unfortunate that many Nigerians have grown to accept the misnomer of placing the university top in the non-existing hierarchy of tertiary institutions in Nigeria - in true sense, the hierarchy absolutely, should not exist. This inequality and discrimination has also contributed to the erroneous belief which has necessitated the demand for change of name and status, because so many people ignorantly view the university as being superior to polytechnics and colleges of education. This should not be a priority.

The current efforts towards the change of name should be refocused or rechannelled into upgrading quality and standard. Imagine the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the statutory body for conducting Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), setting minimum entry mark or cut-off mark at 100 in a-400 questions examination, where is the standard now? Polytechnics and colleges of education should start role modelling or emulating the university, in terms of standard, as well as doing same in the aspect of academics, administration, (system), curriculum, facilities, etc.

THE UPGRADE OF AKWA IBOM STATE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION (AKSCOE) TO UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION (AKSUOE)

The state House of Assembly has passed a bill to this effect in 2025, while 2026 was set aside to kick-start the process. Notably, the Staff, both academic and administrative, have been mandated to upgrade their qualifications. It is unknown if it is for the sake of standard or to get necessary approval from the university regulatory body, the National Universities Commission (NUC), time will let us know this. On a serious note, the school should simply start in earnest, the upgrading of its minimum entry requirements - especially the UTME cut off mark. 200 which is the average score anywhere around world, should be adopted for standard sake.

This trend in Nigeria seems to be only a change in name, and perhaps status, a little bit, but the fear remains that nothing might change in standard, which should be in all honesty, the top most priority. To maintain the argument advanced already, there is no striking difference among university, polytechnic and college of education, in terms of hierarchy and superiority, order than their various peculiar, original and statutory functions. Let the true meaning and essence of what a specialized school stands for not be lost in the name of changing it's status. The trend may be colourful but not insightful.