THE FIVE (5) TYPES OF EDUCATION NEEDED MOST IN NIGERIA

INTRODUCTION 

What will fetch Nigeria development rapidly is undoubtedly education, it will continue to be the bedrock and foundation of social development, although Nigeria has not made it a priority, based on existing realities. That is why the system and state of education in the country is quite unimpressive, because it is unable to produce desired or expected result. Nigeria is not a literate society, but records a high rate of school enrollment, and low rate of illiteracy, which is a direct opposite to having or obtaining positive result. Making a reference to a related post titled "THE DEVELOPED COUNTRY NIGERIA WISH TO BE" can elaborately support the above assertion.

In light of the above, with emphasis on placing priority on needs, the five (5) types of education needed most in Nigeria, which can instigate or stir up the needed structural changes are extensively discussed below:

1. MORAL EDUCATION 

The spate of decadence in Nigeria is quite worrisome, it draws attention to non-existing or ineffectiveness in socializing morals especially by children and youths population of the country - for more clarity on this, a related post titled "WHAT EDUCATION IS NOT!" will throw more light. This cannot be dissociated from the high rate of corruption especially bribery, insecurity, examination fraud, electoral fraud, human trafficking, smuggling especially fake or imitating products, nepotism and favouritism, etc. intractably prevalent in the country. It is quite unfortunate that if the alarming rate of decadence is not arrested on time, it could plunge the country into perpetual and irredeemable state of anarchy. For instance, it is disturbing witnessing the spread of kidnapping and the confidence exuding by kidnappers in demanding for Ransome from kidnapped relatives, inundating pages of national dailies, on a daily basis, in Nigeria. The fear of citizens becoming so used to such tensed situation, as it is gradually gaining ground, raises thought provoking and viable measures on the redemption expectation, which could translate into rectitude required in building a better society. As the 2027 General Elections is approaching, citizens and particularly, eligible voters, can adopt this as a yardstick or parameter in making their choice of leaders, since morality is quite essential in social development.

2. VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION 

Vocational and technical education is not well appreciated in Nigeria as a result of erroneous and misconstrued orientation and attitude towards grammar and secretariat education, handed down from the colonial era. It has made Nigerians confirmed to belief and reality that going to school or having education will lead one to working in an office, probably in a secretariat, else your schooling will be regarded as a complete waste of resources. This attitude has made people who possess vocational skills to be regarded as uneducated, whereas it is not so in other countries. This is the paradigm that should be shifted - i.e. change in ways of thinking and doing things, in order to combat the high rate of unemployment in the country. What really is education? Is it all about speaking grammar and carrying big books? Are people who have vocational and technical education not educated? Nigerians must answer this question and become conversant with the truth, so that the change in attitude can occur.

3. POLITICAL (CIVIC/CITIZENSHIP) EDUCATION 

Whatever happens in the state (political system) is regarded as political, based on the classical understanding of the concept politics. A political scientist, Robert Dahl, has made people to understand that the consequences of politics is, unavoidable and inescapable, since the concept is an unavoidable fact of human existence. In other words, if man or human is taken out of the society, politics will cease to exist, supporting the statement credited to Aristotle: "Man by nature, is a political animal". Referring to a related post titled "POLITICS MISCONSTRUED" will provide more insight on the subject of discourse. In this regard, there is need for citizens to acquire political education, in order to understand better the political system, including it's processes such as decision making which will translate into public policy, and its consequences are common to all the citizens regardless of class or status, level of education, sex, religion, tribe or race, etc. The acquisition of knowledge about the state and government by citizens, is a big plus and highly advantageous since government is the main driver of social change, the chances of citizens instigating significant changes in the society will be high - however, illiteracy and ignorance, among other factors, are the reasons such is not occuring in Nigeria. The government has recognized this fact, that is why political education known as 'civic or citizenship education' is made a compulsory subject or course across all tiers of education in the country, although it is not producing desired and significant result.

In a society citizens are politically educated, government could hardly become arbitrary, tyrannical, oppressive, or repressive, the quote of Paul Valery "If the state is strong, it crushes us. If it is weak, we perish", lends credence to the above assertion. Such society records high level of political participation and inclusion, because by their capacity and knowledge based, they can hold government accountable, when there is abuse of power. Part of the political (civic/citizenship) education is the understanding of the law, which make the citizens responsible and law-abiding, which usually leads to orderly, stable and secure society, since crimes will drastically reduce, while political stability will be guaranteed.

4. FINANCIAL EDUCATION 

The rationale behind financial education is for citizens to incubate the attitude of prudent management of their finances/resources, in order to avoid waste, mismanagement, poverty and low standard of living. So many people have the capacity to make money, but do not have the capacity to judiciously manage it, which at the end of the day, could be classified among the category of citizens below the poverty line ($2:15) in Nigeria. It is also concerned with making choices and taking critical and rational decisions in business and investment, since they must have grappled with the understanding of the financial system and business environment. If Nigerians are well educated financially, it will certainly translate into high standard of living (SOL) in the country.

5. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOY (ICT) EDUCATION 

The predominant revolution in technology which has been recorded in the past century in information and communication conspicuously depicts the massive giant stride in the development of a model global communication, which has made the world a global village. For example, information which used to take weeks and months before delivery and receiving of feedback, now travels at the speed of light, regardless of distance. That aspect of communication which now happens instantly or without delay, speaks volume about the magnificent innovations in the information and communication age. It makes relations and businesses across all levels of human endeavour easier and faster, reduces to a large extend barriers and inconveniences in the complex inter-dependent societies, be it governments, private organizations, or individuals, within and across national boundaries. Now, the necessity for ICT education in Nigeria is stemmed from its indispensable functions or roles it plays in the complex inter-dependent world,  which ICT is the driving force. Put differently, Nigeria and by extension, the world, cannot function effectively and efficiently today, without information and communication technology (ICT). It has interconnected all sectors of the Nigerian society, in a way that their existence and functionality, largely depend on it. The advanced innovations in ICT in the banking and financial sector, which has considerably helped in combating financial crimes and restore trust and confidence on Nigerians towards banking and investment, is a significant milestone. Gone are the days financial institutions would fold up unnoticeably and escape without trace, while customers will be unable to recover their assets. Look at the introduction of Bank Verification Number (BVN) with finger print identification and the critical roles it is playing in the banking sector and the economy. Similar feat is recorded across all sectors of the Nigerian society, including the government.

CONCLUSION 

Education will never cease to be the foundation and bedrock of development in the society, the need it should be pursued vigorously. To get this executed effectively, the need based approach should be adopted, in order to avoid misplaced priority and mismanagement associated with the pursuit of too many or multifarious goals. The necessity for the five (5) types of education needed most in Nigeria, arises from the usual misplacement of priority witnessing in the country. If this is effectively put into consideration, it can fetch Nigeria development rapidly.