Politicizations of Education and National Development in Nigeria: Implications

Abstract

The paper makes a case for the depoliticisation of education sector in Nigeria. It also advocates sincere commitment to providing the needs of institutions of learning by government. These are necessary conditions for a viable education sector, which is itself the livewire of development in the society. As vital as education is to national development, the sector has, nonetheless, suffered setbacks because it is heavily politicised. Although, education and politics work hand-in-hand in the Nigerian scenario, education tends to be a handmaid of politics; it serves the selfish interest of politicians. This is evident in the appointments of leaders and administrators of different segments of the sector on the bases of parochial interests such as ethnicity, religion and political godfatherism at the expense of merit and expertise. The sector suffers inefficiency and low output also because of the insincerity and nonchalant attitude of government to the genuine needs of its workforce as well as dearth of basic facilities in institutions of learning. All these sum up to some negative implications for the development of the nation. To change this ugly narrative, therefore, the paper propose that appointments of key actors of the education sector should be liberalised so as to give room to technocrats who know how to direct the affairs of education towards the enhancement of national development to be in charge.