Experts in the education sector have rated the Nigerian system one of the best globally, warning citizens against portraying the country in bad light.
The experts say despite the challenges in the sector, which are not peculiar to Nigeria, graduates from the country, both in science and art are still highly sought after in other climes.
The Registrar, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Prof. Josiah Ajiboye, speaking at a retreat on the State of Education in Nigeria, boasted that Nigerian graduates can compete among peers from across the world.
Prof. Ajiboye while citing the current exodus of professionals from the country in the trending ‘Japa syndrome, said, “Nigeria’s education is among the best in the world today, if not, why are Nigerian professionals going outside the country?
“This year alone, I have signed letters of professional standing for over 260 Nigerians going to teach in Canada and as of this morning; we have a letter from the head of their teaching council in the UK.
”They want to understudy the Nigerian system, they are asking for a pro-forma letter of professional standing because they want to start taking Nigerian teachers massively.”
The TRCN boss, however, tasked the media and citizens to desist from running down the system but amplify the positives, warning that every nation has its challenges in various sectors.
Rebuking those who claim the standard of education has fallen, Ajiboye called attention to the technological advancement in the sector, insisting there has been steady growth in the sector.
He maintained that only highlighting the positives in the system will attract investors and bring in the much-needed foreign exchange.
He said, ”Nigerians are destroying the image of the country, allowing the negatives to overwhelm us, which is wrong.”
“If anybody says you are not doing well, ignore them, some of the challenges we face are global, yes there are challenges, the issue of ASUU, out-of-school children, still we have the best graduates coming out,” he insisted.
Buttressing the claims that the Nigerian Education sector is globally recognised, the Registrar, National Examinations Council (NECO), Prof Dantani Ibrahim Wushish, stated that Nigerian students with only NECO results are now being admitted into foreign universities across the world.
He explained that the examination body received about 490 requests from more than 50 countries between January and August 2022, (eight months), to confirm students’ NECO certificates.
“NECO is a strong member of the International Association for Educational Assessment and we play a vital role in the global assessment of examination.
”We conduct examinations in African countries such as Niger, Togo, amongst others,” he said.
