THE TWO KEY DEFINING FEATURES OF EDUCATION

 Education, especially formal, should not be toyed with by any society, due to its indispensability and vital role in social development - this is an undisputed fact. It was on this basis, a classical philosopher, Plato, made assumption that the philosopher kings (those who should rule), should be put in a dormitory by government (the state) for more than three decades (about 35 years), to receive sound education that will build their character, capacity and prepare them for task of leadership ahead; the assertion was made in an attempt at philosophising an ideal society. His philosophy was interpreted to mean that, since leadership is very tasking, requiring a highly cognitive prowess (intelligence), sound knowledge, high or sound moral values and standard (character), there was need for future leaders (the philosopher kings) to be highly trained through a sound system of education, in preparation for leadership responsibilities.

Today, such system ought to be made for all and sundry, in order to have a better society, since the subject in question, is unarguably the bedrock of development. Education generally, is a concept that is extremely necessary for two purposes (essence), namely personal development and social development.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT 

(I) Enlightenment and exposure

To enable one have informed and balanced view about life, is what education, first and foremost, offers people, specifically formal education. It helps to erode erroneous beliefs and misconceptions by sanitizing the minds to think logically, rationally and scientifically, as the case may be. Education has made people to know that ideas cannot be accepted hook, line and sinker without questioning, unlike before where unreliable knowledge would gain speedy acceptance, such knowledge cannott stand a test of time now. In view of the above, it builds liberal and broad minded individuals who can easily accept as well as defend the truth, no matter how difficult it is. They willingly, by virtue of their training, get involved in strengthening liberty in the society, that is why freedom, equality and justice which are strong recipes for a stable, orderly and egalitarian society, are parts of their character traits, and essential ingredients that translate into social cohesion, growth and development. Remarkably, the adoption of scientific process in inquiry, resulting in absolute truth/knowledge is an established method which is valid, not skewed and very reliable - meaning that knowledge gained from such process can stand a test of time. Nowadays, education has made us not to believe what has not been empirically tested, proven and logically verified.

The enlightenment and exposure to absolute truth makes education invaluable social concept and incredible instrument for the pursuit of sustainable development, because it will erode illiteracy, an indispensable index of development. Therefore, having a literate society is likened to an express way devoid of potholes and traffick jam; that could have orchestrated hindrances, while a smooth, safe and speedy ride is guaranteed.

(ii) Employment (Means of Livelihood - MOL)

Education enables one to have access to employment opportunities, in the area of one's specialty or expertise, be it vocational and technical education or conventional/formal education for semi-skilled and skilled labour. It helps to create capacity to solve problems by applying the skills acquired which in turn, will enable one earn a living comfortably. When the social problem of unemployment is solved, it will create multi-plier effects that will touch or affect other aspects of social life including average income per head, standard of living (SOL), gross domestic products (GDP), national productivity, etc.

So, on the personal basis, from the context of employment or means of livelihood (MOL), education appears to be a formidable factor which the society ought to pay critical attention to, not just school enrollment and acquisition of certificates. Going back to the basis is extremely needful, in order to really have sound and we'll informed idea about the subject, in a way that will stir up a paradigm shift. This advocacy is timely, considering the abysmal failure and fallen standard of education, which perhaps should be largely blamed on misconception. 

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT 

The first aspect of social development is when the character has been well developed, i.e. possessing high and sound moral values and standard, capable of making one interact responsibly, being law-abiding to ensure order and stability is guaranteed in the society. This is what ideal education affords people. Secondly, when social problems are critically tackled and addressed adequately, it contributes to growth and development of the society. Education especially at the higher level is basically aimed at researching and providing solutions to social problems.

Moreover, the existence or occurrence of personal development, has multi-plier and attendant effects on social development. For example, employment is an indicator of personal development which helps to reduce unemployment, a social problem, situated within the social development aspect, and which in turn, affects social indices such as average income per head and standard of living (SOL), gross domestic products (GDP), etc.

IS IT BRAIN DRAIN OR LABOUR MIGRATION?

 Whenever the issue of labour is raised, man who is central and pivotal aspect of it, cannot be avoided. The part man plays in labour relations can never be adequately and sufficiently over-stressed. From time immemorial, man has always been making movement from one location to another, in search of greener pastures. In modern time, due to institutionalization of division of labour and specialization, which clearly marked or expressed the transition from communal to individualistic and complex society. Although this movement is popularly known by many registers as 'mobility of labour', but I chose to call it 'labour migration', for the purpose of clarity and emphasis, in regards to this controversial and contentious subject. In the past, this phenomenon was primarily triggered by climatic condition and insecurity, a typical example of it today in Nigeria, is the 'marauding herders' who perennially ravage the North Central part of the country, especially Benue, Kogi, Plateau and Nassarawa states, in search of greener pastures. Modernity has necessitated other factors including pay packages/remuneration, social amenities/infrastructure, etc.

Obviously, modernity has really transformed the labour sector in  a way that has witnessed notable structural changes and a different kind of labour relations. The controversy about brain drain and labour migration (mobility of labour), is one which requires serious and critical examination, in order to widen understanding, by pointing out the advantages and disadvantages, which will help both individuals and the country in decision making process. Having given the subject a clear and vivid background, it is pertinent to express that brain -drain is a state-related concept; meaning that the concept is mostly concerned with or affected the state or country, in relation to her citizens. It is also concerned with population and national planning of a country. 

Brain drain connotes the movement of highly skilled work force or labour from one country to another. According to Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary in researchgate.net, it refers to "The movement of highly skilled and qualified people to a country where they can work in better conditions and earn more money". The implication of this social phenomenon is that it depletes human capital/human resource based of a country, resulting in inefficient and low productive forces (PF) as well as low national productivity of a country's economy, hence the reason the Nigerian Government view it as a barrier to national development. This is thought by many to be one of the factors of underdevelopment in the country, because of the mass movement or exodus of skilled and highly skilled workers (professionals). The government have made attempt to discourage this phenomenon, including the institution of legal frameworks such as the Revised National Migration Policy 2025, introduction of Mandatory Service Period, basically for health professionals, which requires them to work in Nigeria for up to five years after graduation, before issuance of a full practicing license.

The matter has continued to raise serious debate because of the stand point of many citizens in relation to the poor state of the country, especially health workers citing human rights related issue. In view of the above, The result of a recent online survey conducted by Phillips Consulting Limited, in researchgate.net reveals that, "between 24th of August and 3rd of September, 2022 shows that overall, (52%) of Nigerian Professionals plan to quit and migrate", described in our local parlance as 'Japa'.

On several fora, the government and we'll meaning Nigerians have continuously decried or spoken against it, yet the alarming rate of brain drain lately has been worrisome. On the other hand, the highly skilled work force or population have not heeded to this warning and advice, regarding the perceived adverse effects on the economy of Nigeria. They continue to migrate in great number at slightest opportunity, citing better working conditions, better economy, infrastructure and security, as reasons for their actions. How can Nigeria keep them when it is unable to provide the listed items above to her citizens? It is unarguably bedeviled by complex systemic, structural and cultural challenges, and efforts to provide remedies have proved abortive.

Repudiating the government' stance on the issue, like the cuban education strategy with about 98% literate population, exporting best brains around the world, especially in the medical field, should Nigeria not considering following that foot-steps, being the 7th most populous country and the most populous black country on earth? With alarming rate of unemployment, if the government think that labour migration is brain drain, why not explore and tap from the teeming undeveloped human resource based of Nigeria, through the population strategy' or 'population-education strategy', for excess development of human capita or highly skilled professionals, that will adequately feed the economy, while strategically permitting brain drain. If this approach is adopted, it means priority will be placed on education, and the immediate resultant effects would be having a highly literate society, while sustainable development would be the remote resultant effects. The government can harness the opportunity by looking at it from the positive angle, in terns of the economic benefits the country will derive.

Population-education strategy can be defined as the exploitation and exploration of vast and teeming population to develop a highly literate and a highly skilled work force in the society. If Nigeria can key into this blueprint, given her abundant human resources, it can be a reliable short cut to its development drive. The surplus fraction of the highly skilled population, can be exported across the world, to where they are most needed, for the benefit of the country, including system/cultural diffusion, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), technology/knowledge transfer, balance of payment, average income per head/standard of living, etc. 

In conclusion, if the government of Nigeria is seriously challenged by this lofty idea, the need to complain about brain drain will no longer exist, given the vast population advantage. Therefore, education across all levels should be granted serious attention by government and all the relevant stakeholders, starting with the consideration for the 26% UN's recommendation for education, on the annual budget in order to raise standard of education. On the whole, the government should understand that labour has a market, determined by its related forces, which it can only trade and compete favourably, not necessarily being the sole determinant of the market. Moreover, it will be insincerity and a great disservice for government to digress from unemployment, which should be top most priority, because of it's alarming rate, to focusing on labour migration, which it describes as 'brain drain'.

THE NEED FOR INCLUDING GRADUATE/POST-GRADUATE CATEGORY IN THE NIGERIAN EDUCATION LOAN FUND (NELFUND)

 Happening at a time education in Nigeria needs a critical surgical operation, the Students' Loan Act (SLA) - 2024, is a lofty and laudable Federal Government intervention programme in education sector. As much as it is a well commendable public policy, it is undoubtedly embedded with avoidable inadequacies. Therefore, there is urgent need for revisiting it, in order to extend category of beneficiaries, since the current status only covers undergraduates in the universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, vocational schools, etc., with a strong conviction that such extension to graduate or post-graduate category - PGD, M,Sc and PhD - will in no little measure, guarantees rapid sustainable development, be it interest free or not. The aforementioned category definitely needs the programme more than the existing benefitting category.

WHY IT SHOULD BE EXTENDED?

1. The programme is optional and based on need. So, not too many Nigerians would be interested, since a lot of them - parents and guardians - can afford university education for their children and wards. The fund needed to sponsor the graduate or post-graduate category may not be what the government cannot afford.

2. The centrality of producing highly trained, skilled and competent work force. This involved tapping the abundantce of human resources by investing in it's development, to boost the Nigerians productive forces and increase her national productivity. Illiteracy is unarguably a sign of or a recipe for underdevelopment of any country, therefore, untrained, unskilled or not highly skilled population is inefficiently adequate for rapid development in Nigeria. Now, for this rapid development to take place, a large percentage of the country's population should be highly trained and skilled + The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) becomes a good opportunity to get this achieved, so that the willing and interested Nigerians who cannot afford it, can grab the opportunity with both hands

3. Research Purposes - Nigeria is really lagging behind, in terms of research. And research is very instrumental to development of countries. The Nigerian government land private institutions have not done enough in this regard.Since he graduate or post-graduate studies is basically research based, the extension of the programme to this category would definitely guarantee massive research activities which the country is in dire need of, to achieve sustainable development.

LIKELY EFFECTS OF EXTENSION TO GRADUATE OR POST-GRADUATE CATEGORY 

1. It will skilled labour and work force.

2. It will increase literacy rate in Nigeria.

3. It will guarantee or help achieve university autonomy in Nigeria.

4. It will increase funding and investment in education sector.

5. It will help reduce poverty rate in Nigeria.

6. It will enhance government placement of priority in education.

LIKELY WEAKNESSES OR FAILURES OF THE PROGRAMME 

1. Attitude of Nigerians towards government 's projects or programmes (public policies).

2.The fallen standard of education.

3. Inadequacy in strengthening or bolstering monitoring mechanisms by government.

4. Inability to gain employment immediately after graduation for quick repayment.