QUESTION 11 OF 23 PRESIDING QUESTIONS FOR 2023 PRESIDENTIAL QUESTS: THEIR AMBITIONS VERSUS OUR CONVICTIONS

 


SECTION B: REVAMP OF PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

While recognizing the physical infrastructure milestones achieved by the Federal Government over the past few years in tertiary and primary schools through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) respectively, the humongous gap yet uncovered cannot be overlooked.

A dysfunctional Federation such as ours needs a President in 2023 who would openly acknowledge that adequate provision of appropriate physical infrastructure in all schools (primary, secondary & tertiary) across the nation can only be accomplished through a governance structural framework that delegates substantial “legal, geographic, administrative, political and economic” powers to the 36 States and Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

For Federal government-owned tertiary institutions, can’t there be an innovation I term a “Take, Bake & Name” policy (meaning take a specific physical facility within a school, renovate/upgrade/build it and the government will name it after you) to be ‘boisterously marketed’ to philanthropists & corporate organizations? Can’t this direct infrastructure funding mechanism be used by the undertaking entity to negotiate tax cuts with the Federal government if it will achieve desired infrastructure results across our dilapidated universities, polytechnics and other degree-awarding academic institutions?

As basic as toilets are, it was estimated in June 2019 by the Federal Capital Territory Water Board that “about 50 per cent of primary and secondary schools in the country need to be provided with toilet facilities in order to tackle the open defecation menace”. Apart from traditional chairs, tables and hostels, are there not infrastructure needs of Nigerian schools that will enhance the multi-potential spirit of the average Nigerian student for the 21st century? Shouldn’t the next President lead the contemporary revolution of physical infrastructure in all schools across the Federation in order for our educational products to be globally competitive?

In other words, don’t all schools require sufficient, functional & fully-kitted units of hostels, computer rooms, sports facilities, audiovisual studios for recording music & drama, multipurpose halls to enhance their presentation & public speaking skills, and many more?  

a. They do                b. They don’t           c. Physical infrastructure in schools should be limited to chairs & tables

 

Dr. Adetolu Ademujimi is a Medical Doctor, Author, Reformer, Coach and Public Policy expert who wrote in from Akure in Nigeria. Email: ademujimi@yahoo.co.uk; Twitter: @toluademujimi; Instagram: @adetoluademujimi; Linkedin: @adetolu ademujimi

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