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05/09/2012

I cannot afford University.....what next?




It is practically impossible for every Nigerian to have a University degree. We can barely even make allocation for 10% of the population of entrants! Where are the universities, faculties, lecturers and facilities that will absorb all the students? Even those who are able to get one struggle to earn a living with it.




There is a pertinent need for much more Technical and Vocational schools. These types of schools serve students in skilled areas - ICT, Design, smithing, carpentry, woodwork, sewing, photography, home economics, plumbing, shoe-making, even cement making and crafts of varying types. You should see the amazing quality shoes, artwork and clothes I saw 'challenged' children and youth create during a courtesy visit @ a training in 2010. Anyone could buy them! The idea is to groom individuals who will be self sustaining and useful in the society. Here is a true story I read from nigeriadailynews.com that paints a brilliant picture telling us that even though you grab a university degree, it may not always pay the bills or build your dreams.

Like many university graduates, after completing his first degree programme, his efforts to get a white collar job were fruitless. Nnamdi, a 2008 graduate, is now comfortable as a successful furniture maker in Abuja. Unlike in public job, he is not only the Managing Director of his outfit, he also doubles as the Chief Executive Officer, the accountant, the cashier and the company secretary.

Today, he sees white collar jobs as waste of time, since he earns more than a university graduate and he is an employer, while contributing to the Nigerian economy. “After my service year, I started furniture business with initial capital of N40,000 which was the little money I was able to save but today, I know how much I am counting,” he said joyously. Mr. Nnamdi whose business is currently flourishing in Kugbo village of Abuja said: “Furniture making is a very lucrative business. When I ventured into furniture making two years ago, my plan was to be in it for some time and quit as soon as I get a while collar job but as time goes on I discovered that I am earning more than a graduate so I decided to stay put,” he said.

Impressive! Inspiring!

4 comments:

  1. I am also of the belief that not everybody has to go to d university. We can train in other vocations n make it in life but unfortunately for us in dis country most of us believe if u don't go to the university u are nobody n dats why our universities are dishing out half - baked graduates every time who don't know wat dey went to d universitu to do n don't have any business being there. I just believe dat its necessary to have ur basic 9years of education n anything can follow afta dat.

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  2. Jeans in your Genes05/09/2012, 15:09

    I love clothes and fashion and it was easy to get in2 but everybody is into it hence little or no profit and cant really pay bills on a small scale. My intellect and passion is law ,but i can't afford it now,‎​i love hip pop and its history but it won't even sound normal in this our side of the planet. If only there were versatile vocational schools to train pple in their skills, our economy will be on a much bigger scale.

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  3. The reasons we may not all be able to gain admission into the university is directly connected to the fact that we are a poor nation but being poor does not mean that we are not skilled people. Nigerians have talent even if it be from many years from finding ways to survive. These other types of schools mentioned here are not just for the government to do but also a business idea for many. No one should be surprised about how much they will succeed if they build schools as these and make them affordable. The numbers are there to see. We have a strong population. Not just in popular states but across Nigeria as a whole.

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  4. In as much as we cannot afford to have evreyone trained in the university, i still think it is essential for knowledge purposes atleast. Nnamdi at this point had a university degree but ended up as a successful furniture maker. I think he must have applied some of his exposures and knowledge from university education into his buisness. My take on this is if it not financially and economically possible to acquire a university education, skilled training in some handiwork will help take an individual to where he/she desires to go. Get univerity education if possible, if not possible, get whatever kind of education possible that can help make a difference econimically and financially

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