‘We want a leader who will reposition education,’ says the president

By Adeleye Kunle

Tertiary institutions across the country are alarmed by the plethora of issues plaguing the education sector. However, with a change of power on the horizon, they want a leader who will not only look after the welfare of citizens, but will also reform education. Reporters include AMEENAT HAMZAT (IBADAN POLY), SAMUEL AGBELUSI (AAUA), and PEACE OLADIPO (FUOYE).

There are numerous issues plaguing the education sector. Public tertiary institutions face a variety of challenges, including chronic underfunding, inadequate facilities and infrastructure, an ineffective virtual learning system, and ongoing industrial action by various academic and non-academic unions, among others.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other unions’ industrial actions have become a recurring decimal. Every year, unions must go on strike because the federal government fails to fulfill its end of the bargain. The ASUU strike has lasted over 100 days, with no end in sight; the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) has declared a one-month strike in protest of the Federal Government’s failure to implement agreements reached with the union, including the non-release of the N15 billion revitalisation fund for the colleges.

However, with a new leader and government set to take power next year, students are hoping for someone with the right qualities to not only turn the nation’s fortunes around, but also to put an end to the challenges plaguing the education sector.

Ibukun Shaba, a student at the University of Lagos, believes that good leadership will result in accountability in all sectors.

“I just want the next government to value education while also providing jobs,” she said.

She claimed that the ASUU strike was caused by the government’s lack of commitment to the education sector.

“We want a leader who is concerned about securing the country’s future,” Hamzat Abdulsalam Abiodun, a 200-Level student at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, said. Someone who would stabilize the education sector from the ground up, reviewing curricula from primary school through tertiary and post-tertiary institutions to ensure compliance with international standards.”

Seun Adesida, an Obafemi University student, anticipates a leader who will be more accessible to the public and knowledgeable about current educational trends.

“The education sector is suffering because our leaders do not understand how to run it effectively.”

“We want a leader who understands the citizens’ anguish because he knows his family members and children are suffering as well, preferably a young person.” Because youths have not been given a chance, the saying “the future belongs to the youth” remains a saying. A wealthy president in his 70s appears to have no idea what this new generation requires, let alone understand the emotions of youths, or should I say students.”

A leader who prioritizes and increases budgetary allocation for education is ideal for Salaudeen Oladeni Usman, a Mass Communication student at The Polytechnic, Ibadan.

“I suggest a leader who is not only interested in the education sector, but would also provide an enabling environment for innovation and overseas job sourcing for qualified students,” said Saheed Abiola, a student at the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE).

Semilore Omueti, a student at Lagos State University (LASU), believes that the country requires young leadership. He stated that the political system needed to be changed in order to stop reusing the same people.

“Someone who would do what is right for the people,” he said. Young people should be given a chance. Human resources are critical in any government, but the current administration is not investing in education, where we are short on human resources. Our best graduates are either unemployed or working part-time. Some are even working in foreign countries where their skills are put to good use. To assist students, the new leader/government should invest more in education and create jobs.”

Igbodane A student at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), David Tombra, emphasized the importance of the education sector and urged the next administration to address its challenges in order to avoid an ongoing ASUU strike.

“I hope the next administration will be led by someone who has our best interests at heart and will revamp the education sector,” he said.

“I would love a leader who will not disappoint the people,” said Utute Gift, a Nursing student at Novena University in Delta State.

“To be honest, I’d prefer a young person to lead; all these old people have repeatedly disappointed us.”

“Only a fellow youth who has experienced ASUU strikes, starvation, and other hardships would understand how we feel and how to address it.”

“The older generation has an entitlement mentality.”

“The kind of leader we need is someone who is not only concerned with politics, but also with youths,” said Alarape Habeebat, a 400-Level student at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology LAUTECH.

“We need a leader who cares about the underprivileged rather than those who make false promises during campaigns.”

“Someone who prioritizes education; someone who would address unemployment.”

“I want a leader with the agenda of ‘No more ASUU strike,’” said Ajulo Adebayo, a FUOYE student. To alleviate our economic woes, I will also request that the new government pay off the country’s debt in installments.”

LASU student Tomi Adesuyi wants a leader who will ensure that lecturers are well compensated and that the education budget is increased.

Ibrahim Kherimah, an Ekiti State University (EKSU) student, wants a leader who prioritizes education at all levels.

“I want a leader who values education and has good plans for young people,” she said.

“How do they expect us to believe that education is the key to success when we are surrounded by poor graduates and wealthy criminals?”