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Sustainable Development Goal 4, SDG 4, is Nigeria’s best bet to beat the crisis in her education sector because SDGs, generally, aim to develop a model that integrates economic, environmental, social, and governance goals into a kind of business plan, thereby creating long-term value for all stakeholders, the investors and the investees.
Though investment in education may not yield direct returns in the short term, it is a smart economy. It is an impact investment for good. Several researches show just how education can turn around people’s lives and even alter a nation’s course for good.
So, in this article, we’ll discuss the importance of education in Nigeria.
Importance of Education in Nigeria
As a developing country, constantly improving the education sector is one of those things that should top the bucket list of our budget every year. Here’s why:
- EDUCATION IS AN INVESTMENT IN HUMAN CAPITAL
Probably, nothing could yield more ROI than investing in one’s knowledge and skills. This is true for everyone right from a young age. The potential we accumulate through education throughout our lives will enable us to realize our potential as productive members of society.
- EDUCATION CAN REDUCE GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
More often than not, females are usually at the receiving end of physical or psychological violence. Education plays a big role in informing persons of the ills of gender-based violence, such as physical assaults and sexual coercion.
- EDUCATION CUTS DOWN ON CHILD MARRIAGES.
Providing quality schooling helps pump educated parents into the population, which can go a long way in minimizing child marriages. Also, it is known that the longer the girl child stays in school, the less prone she is to early marriages.
- EDUCATION LETS CHILDREN ATTAIN THEIR FULLEST
Every year, we see lots of Nigerian talents emerging, even from within the country’s biggest slum. NGOs like Chess In Slums use the game of chess as a framework to give education to children in impoverished communities. They discovered Ferdinand Maumo, a 10-year-old chess genius, from the slums of Makoko in Lagos. The boy was later invited to the Lagos State House for a chess match against Governor Sanwo Olu.
Now, who knows how many such talents lie around the country?
- EDUCATION ASSISTS IN BUILDING A COUNTRY’S ECONOMY PLUS GDP.
Today, countries with the fattest economy today top the list of the most educated countries in the world. In Singapore’s transformation from a barely-noticed developing country to a modern industrial country, education was seen as central to building both the economy and the nation.
Nigerian Public and private sectors, too, must harness this.
- EDUCATION PROTECTS CHILDREN FROM TRAFFICKING AND LABOUR.
In certain Nigerian neighbourhoods, child trafficking and child labour are commonplace. Education helps in sensitizing children and their parents on these issues, making them recognize some warning signs, thereby leaving fewer kids vulnerable.
- EDUCATION SERVES AS A SPRINGBOARD OUT OF POVERTY.
It is ironic that the same poverty that causes a child to miss out on education can be eliminated by education. That an individual is educated generally means they are likely to receive an increased earning. Aside from this, education helps in promoting individual inclusiveness, strengthening socialization skills and providing the right vocational education as a springboard out of poverty.
- EDUCATION DOES NOT LEAVE THE ENVIRONMENT UNTOUCHED
Plastic pollution is a buzzing keyword today. On radios, and on TVs, we hear the clamour. The statistics too do not leave Nigeria behind. With about 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, Nigeria ranks ninth globally among countries with the highest contributions to plastic pollution. It’s sad that 88% of these wastes end up not recycled.
Education can tackle issues like this by creating action-taking individuals who are more aware of the dangers. Education can also help mitigate climate change.
WRAP-UP
Education of its children is largely what Nigeria needs to counter some of its most pressing issues today.
With education available and accessible, it is very easy to picture a perfect Nigeria. A Nigeria with a robust economy and healthy environment that is willing to give all out-of-school children a chance to savour basic education regardless of caste, creed, family income and – definitely not – gender.
Isn’t it high time all of us – government and policymakers, private sectors and civil societies, regular citizens – take action and increase investments to secure the rights of all Nigerian children to a quality education?
To Support over 20 million out-of-school children in Nigeria, visit:
Disclamer: BlackGeeks is not in anyway affiliated to the above linked websites.
Abdulbasit Toriola is an emerging voice in Nigerian cultural commentary and social analysis. From his corner in Lagos, he documents Nigerian history, current affairs, and explores the extraordinary journeys of Nigerians beating the odds. His works have been published on Africa Prime News and Opinion Nigeria. Connect with Abdulbasit on Twitter @blackboymusings for daily insights into Nigerian life and culture.
