Studenting Amidst Worsened Situation in the Country: Is It All Worth It?

Photo Source: Emmanuella Olagunju

The Nigerian economic environment has been experiencing constant inflationary episodes. This is mostly as a result of increases in real exchange rate, poor control of persistent inflation by the monetary authorities and increase in consumption rates as a result of increase in marginal costs of production in the country. The rate at which products double in their prices within the space of a couple weeks is very alarming,  much so that it has become a norm that what you buy one week is likely to double in price by the following week. If the working class who are to some extent, ‘well-to-do’; are complaining of ridiculous increases in prices, what then would students say? Let's not even talk about the rate of dollar to naira at this point!

It is evident that the country has a long way to go in re-boosting its fast declining economy. The advert effects of the situation keep taking a toll on students especially those who have little or no support from their families.  

As a teenager, before I applied to the University, the plans for my life included: attaining a degree at 21, serve my ‘fada land’ at 22, run my masters and be done with by 24, get a job that pays well, move to my own apartment, become an independent boss lady and get married by 26-27. Make I dey play abi? ????????????Well, now I’m almost half way into my 20s and still very much an undergraduate. Signs. What is the cause of this? In my small analysis, Nigerian students, most especially those who attend federal universities have experienced a round or more of the popular and severe “ASUU” strike, I can tell you that in four years, I experienced three rounds of the industrial strike, in the years 2018, 2020 and 2022 and those periods were beyond splendid for many students.

Before these years, there had been actions like that in the past, in protest against the government’s failure to meet up with payments of lecturers and funding of the universities. However, this article is not intended to delve into the many issues that led to strikes in the past, the point instead is the fact that we cannot talk about the ‘ASUU’ strike and the ridiculous delay in students’ programs without making reference to the country’s poor economy.

63 years after independence, Nigeria still sits firmly among developing countries – Giant of Africa they even say; with giant variants of hardship☹️. You may agree with me that being a student in this present time, age, and country, especially when you are not from a well-to-do family, is a lot to deal with. With the ever-increasing prices of products, many students are unable to afford the things that would both help them in their academics and basic things that would help them be at ease while still being students. Many juggle side-jobs in order to make ends meet, many even work to support their families, and while at these, they struggle to maintain good grades, lest they fail.

Another reality that continues to plague the country is the high unemployment rate among youths. Many students, especially those who are studying courses that are less marketable in Nigeria, have low chances of getting good paying jobs. With that in mind, they still go ahead to attain that degree.

Put together, the country is facing hardships, these hardships affect students financially, socially, mentally and even academically, some have low chances of being employed or getting good jobs after school, many are not studying courses they like, some experience challenging episodes while learning, many learn under pressure and poor learning facilities, many are exploited, many have to combine different jobs to survive in school, many have issues with their lectures and run the risk of not getting good grades, many develop mental illnesses dealing with school stress, and in spite of all these, there is the constant reminder that : “you must finish school with at least 2:1”.

These all beg the questions:

• Is it all worth it?
• Why go through the stress of schooling when you most likely would not use the degree to work? Isn’t school a scam?
•  Why waste that much time and money on school when you don’t have the assurance to be not underemployed?

We have seen many cases of well-known people who only attained a degree because their parents wanted them to, only to pursue what they actually wanted after. Many of these people were able to discover themselves and what they really wanted while at school. The point is that the school environment makes development possible if taken diligently. It is okay to not figure out yourself yet, what's not okay is not trying at all. Schooling would not only broaden your horizon, it would also afford you the opportunity to explore and experience many things before you step into the real world.

Many people develop essential skills like Leadership, project management, public speaking, Writing, and more, from organizations and associations they joined in school. They were able to lay a foundation for their future professions. 

If thought about well, one can easily fall for the mentality that :"school is a scam". However, Instead of looking at the stress and struggles that comes with schooling, one should embrace the opportunities that come with it, for example, making good connections, attaining extracurricular skills, intentionally learning not just to pass but for future purposes and building potential opportunities.

Look beyond the current situation in the country, do not let them get into your way of learning. Even when you get into the labor market, it would not be about the number of 'A' grades you had in school, it would instead be about what you can offer. Even if you want to scrap formal education, the activity of making money is not easy, especially if you are not well connected or from a wealthy home; you would still have to learn the process. At the end of the day, education is key!

CONCLUSION

There is a lot of "shege" in the country right now, we know it, we feel it and we face it every single day. You go to school for years, spending more time than you're supposed to spend, face unemployment after school, you are not motivated or encouraged as you should be and so on; all because times are hard. Well, thriving during hard times would require you to have a sound mind, a mind that knows they say, is a mind that is free. Instead of lamenting and beating yourself up thinking your time getting knowledge is wasted, you should instead leverage as much opportunities as possible, be intentional about your education and growth.

Keep this in mind????

"If you think education is expensive, try Ignorance"

                      Robert Orben

Shalom