Education: A Mirror of Society

Another Mass Failure? What WAEC Results Reveal About Nigerian Education

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<div style="text-align: justify;"><p class="isSelectedEnd">No one bothers anymore to say, “Not again!”</p><p class="isSelectedEnd">The time has passed when stakeholders spilled ink lamenting mass failure in national examinations such as the West African Senior School Certificate Examination conducted by WAEC and the Senior School Certificate Examination conducted by NECO.</p><p>Year after year, fewer people seem to pay attention to the news because mass failure has almost become an annual routine. Our minds have gradually adapted to it, and many parents and guardians now believe they know their way around the problem.</p></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><p class="isSelectedEnd">While children from poor families struggle, some wealthy parents know where to find so-called “special examination centres” and how much to pay. In some of these centres, candidates are promised good results, and they don't have to sit for the examination. They are assured of obtaining at least five credits, including Mathematics and English Language, through organised examination malpractice.</p><p class="isSelectedEnd">As a result, some unemployed youths and corrupt examination agents make a living from what has become an examination-malpractice industry. To them, it may appear better than defrauding or robbing people directly.</p><p>The illegal business can involve different participants, including dishonest cybercafé operators, school proprietors, supervisors, invigilators, agents and parents. Almost everyone involved receives a share of the proceeds—except the students, whose education and character suffer in the long run.</p></div>
<h2>WAEC Performance and Withheld Results, 2010–2014</h2><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><div style="font-weight: 400;">The assertion that, there is an increasing level of malpractices in national examination is well supported by data as shown in the table below.</div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></div><table><tbody><tr><th>Year</th><th>Candidates with Five Credits, Including English and Mathematics</th><th>Results Withheld</th></tr><tr><td>2010</td><td><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span>24.94%</td><td><span>    </span>5.70%</td></tr><tr><td>2011</td><td><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span>30.91%</td><td><span>    </span>5.29%</td></tr><tr><td>2012</td><td><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span>38.81%</td><td><span>    </span>6.73%</td></tr><tr><td>2013</td><td><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span>36.57%</td><td><span>    </span>6.75%</td></tr><tr><td>2014</td><td><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span>31.28%</td><td><span>    </span>8.61%</td></tr></tbody></table></h4>
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<p class="isSelectedEnd">In 2014, 529,425 of the 1,692,435 candidates who sat the examination obtained at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics. WAEC also withheld the results of 145,795 candidates, representing 8.61 per cent, over suspected examination malpractice.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Over the five-year period, the percentage of withheld results rose from 5.70 per cent in 2010 to 8.61 per cent in 2014. Meanwhile, the percentage of candidates obtaining the required five credits rose and fell, reaching its highest point of 38.81 per cent in 2012 before falling to 31.28 per cent in 2014.<br /></span><br />The number of results withheld itself is only indicative of malpractices rate and not an exact picture of what transpire in numerous examination centres scattered across the country. Some cases of  malpractices goes unnoticed, ignored or un-penalized. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Likewise, t<span style="text-align: left;">he average pass rate during the five years was approximately 32.5 per cent. This meant that fewer than one in three candidates, on average, obtained five credits, including English Language and Mathematics.</span></div><p>The result was worrying and raised serious questions about the quality of teaching, learning conditions, school supervision, student preparation and the integrity of the examination process.</p>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><h2>More Schools, but Has the Standard Improved?</h2><p class="isSelectedEnd">Almost every academic session, new schools are established, often by private individuals. However, the growing number of schools has not always resulted in a corresponding improvement in educational standards.</p><p class="isSelectedEnd">In some private schools, profit comes before quality. Some school owners are more concerned about attracting large numbers of students and producing impressive examination results than providing qualified teachers, adequate laboratories, libraries and proper academic supervision.</p><p class="isSelectedEnd">Government schools also face serious problems.</p><p>In many cases, the government appears to have reduced its role to paying staff salaries and providing only a few basic needs. Classrooms remain overcrowded, instructional materials are inadequate, laboratories are poorly equipped and teachers are not always given the training and motivation required to perform effectively.</p></div>
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<p class="isSelectedEnd">Several observers trace the decline in Nigeria’s education system to the economic difficulties of the 1980s, particularly the introduction of the Structural Adjustment Programme. Reduced public spending and declining living standards affected education, as they affected many other sectors.</p><p class="isSelectedEnd">Although there have been periods when increased oil revenue could have supported major infrastructural and human development in education, the opportunity was not always properly used.</p><p>The prolonged strikes by workers across different levels of the education system have also reflected dissatisfaction with funding, working conditions and government policies.</p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><h2>Original Outlook for 2015</h2><p class="isSelectedEnd">At the time this article was first written, Nigeria was once again facing economic difficulties and a possible change of government. It seemed unlikely that much would change in 2015.</p><p class="isSelectedEnd">The concern was that unless the government lived up to its responsibilities through targeted policies, adequate funding and proper implementation, no amount of spilled ink would reverse the downward trend in the education sector.</p><p>That concern remains relevant, although later examination results show that the situation has not followed a simple, continuous downward movement.<br /><br /></p><h2>Update: July 2026</h2><p class="isSelectedEnd">WAEC performance improved considerably in several years after 2014.</p><p>In the 2024 WASSCE for school candidates, 72.12 per cent of candidates obtained at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics. WAEC initially withheld 215,267 results, representing 11.92 per cent of the candidates, over reported cases of suspected examination malpractice.</p><p class="isSelectedEnd">Nevertheless, examination malpractice remains a serious concern. The presence of withheld results, special centres, collusion, impersonation and the use of mobile devices during examinations shows that the struggle for credible assessment is not over.</p><p>A high pass rate does not automatically prove that educational standards have improved.</p><p class="isSelectedEnd">Nigeria therefore needs more than higher examination pass rates. It needs properly funded schools, qualified and motivated teachers, responsible parents, honest school administrators, effective supervision and a society that values learning more than certificates.</p><p>Until these responsibilities are taken seriously, the annual argument over mass failure will continue—and another disturbing result will always be waiting around the corner.</p></div>
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Another Mass Failure? What WAEC Results Reveal About Nigerian Education

No one bothers anymore to say, “Not again!” The time has passed when stakeholders spilled ink lamenting mass failure in national examinatio...

ANOTHER ASUP STRIKE LOOMS

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The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics have announced intent to paralyze academic activities should the Federal Government of Nigeria fail by Wednesday 25th, to implement agreements it signed with the union more than four years ago.</div>
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Members of the union had in 2013 embark on an indefinite strike action that paralyze academic activities in Federal polytechnics, demanding the Federal government to honour agreements it signed with the union. The union later suspend its almost a year long strike action in 2014 after fresh promises were made by the government to meet the union's demands.</div>
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The union has however, reiterated that none of the items on their list of demands have been satisfied. </div>
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Among the union's demanding are, that Needs Assessment Committee be set up to establish areas of infrastructural interventions in polytechnics, constitution of Governing Councils for polytechnics and establishment of National Polytechnic Commission as its obtainable for universities, improvement in salary structure and an end to the discrimination of polytechnic graduates in the labour market. </div>
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UPDATED</h3>
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The union on Tuesday 25th announced it has reverse its decision to down tools in protest of non implementation of agreement signed with the government, the annoncement was made after a meeting with the Minister of Education, Ibrahim Shekarau and House of Representatives Committee Members on Education, according to the union, the outcome of the meeting was fruitful and the union is thus shelving its planned strike actions.</div>
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The union said, it received assurance from the Mr Shekarau that all their demands will be looked into, also the lawmakers promised to expedite action on the union's demand, including passing into law a bill establishing a National Polytechnic Commission.</div>
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The union has advised its members to continue to discharge their lawful duty while its leadership pursue dialogue to resolve outstanding issues with the government.</div>
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ANOTHER ASUP STRIKE LOOMS

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics have announced intent to paralyze academic activities should the Federal Government of Nigeria fa...

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SWY2Vzn4SxsZdUYyG0oa4aVy3k7JqxiNVxqZ0uN7+BmBsZWThbRyYmfdqe6idnpKr0Xz/JpLouqGyx7XC3C2tTnUudvuJzJ1LSSWhyVKs6ss0g2qCYxxCQwq5/neYqlHmM1OUvl2HMD23UOXqKnU0Nw1A1E2IUAIgZhdkQ/KReY74guTE6o5MRqiWPQY1B24bh8T/wDSFhvEfZ/EA0hsu3Xi6OuHG5ja0rSsbdzdWakc1Wxior1LDZoZbvtDAJKg0dlUBzS6haW8x9iLSpSXEGnTkT6bQ47axvlNjbXeq9wr7U66vUt5DrK87B1m0ILHtftwOFwdTBrwkGnjcS2sNZp3NKhZ3uVmkdl228DHWmMsbWlaVY3OinVjmq2MVFepYtru0NMUrJNtBwODqYKVpuVqqxw2Vp3KRo2d7mqpyLosdJQ6ZvLYWkEj5QasvouXp7KinWd+n3R4X9QTlHDxcXb1vsyjfd87IBaBKaUBoC4EAmi9FV6M6zouHyVjxZYTFU8MsVGo7cHa7vxNDdl5udZDM7NzA6vGW6q+xeXXwsVilTjo7fM9/B4+csA68+Mop++2hn7Bd01rD5TLm00Fa5upWgp4o1L1K2IpYVxpqOv8954GFweI2hGVZ1OK0v1+xa6H258gfG8k4aFpOZociK9C4dqYeEGpxVr6nq7AxlSrGVOo72tZv6FdNtlrtL4w/C1pdTeDWmlaDWT1rqgqeDw6nlu3b4s4Krr7RxkqKlaKv5WXDTvbJbnmkgtXc7nlzScNM6ZjE0gHVudKxioU6+G30VZ6/kps+rWwmO7LOV1p8rproO0nkcLVGA4gYW5Any3JbOinhpNrvf0RrbNSccdTSbtZf5Mn0qtbi9lnjJxEgmmRqcmj3noUtm0YxhKtPRfxnRtzEzlUhhaT9Zvjbx0X3+BPfMps1ma1hNTRmLd1EudXfyPSoYSCxOJcprhrb6I6do1ZYHBKNN8eCv39Wyifd0rYRadsNTQ0qa0JoDi6F6ixNKVbs+X8fA8GWBxFPDLGbzjwffezdtTR3PaTJC1515g8ZBpVeDjqCo1pRjp+T6zZeJliMNGpPXR+4MPKuM9AYSkMLuY/K8xVaPOYq8poF2HMDW7xRy9RU6mhuGoColDkAISi4GH2RDWSLzHe8LkxPFo5cRqi7uzSmKaRsTWyBzq0JApk0k1o47yrCspOxWNaMnZGcvq0iO8jI6uFrmE010EbdSjOVqt2Qm7Vbi260d8LXGImkNAAOKgNA4uc6lePUiT3s1YJPeTVh2mcuG2sfSuFsbqcj3GnsRXdqifkFZ2ncvLn0pbaJREIy0kE1LgdQrvK0K6m7WLQrKTtYz+kFp2q8DIRUMLHU36MbuqFR5atyNR2qXNFcmkjbTIY2xltGl1S4HUQKZDjV6dZTdkXp1VN2sXdVYqZ/TQ/It+sHwuXqbJ9s/L7o8D+ov00f+S+jKWa+62YWcNOoAuruA1yC9GGBaxDrN+48artVSwSwyjxsk35cS8is212B4xB1WOcSMxU7x9i86VXeY1O1uKR7UKCo7LlG6d4t3WnEboX8w/zz8LU9q+2j5fdmP6e/TT/AOX2QDoR48nmj3ro2vyR8zj/AKb9pU8l9TtG/wDGS8j/AIwjaH6SHu+gbI/uNT/2/wAkJP8A9RHnN+AIh/b/AHP6hU/vPvX+KGaWOpaWE7jWnoe5PZavh5Lxf0Rnb0lHGwl0S+rJNHRt08kzj4QzA86orzDLnU9pf9HDxox0/H51LbFtisXUxE+ZaLz/AAuBcX7YTNCWjxgcTeMiuXOCV5uAxCoVlKWj4M9ra2EeKw7hHmXFea7vein0fvQAbRIKUNGk8vimurNehtHBOT39L3/lHj7F2lGK7LX4W0v9H79PgaDDTcovBbb1Pq0kuCOIQMiekMMuP50chVaHOYq8po12HKC3ifBHL1FSq6G4agDXKFyotUxCVQBh9kQ+HF5jveFyYnVHLiNUaqzXbAwh7IY2uGohoBFRQ0I5SuhQiuKR0KEVxSMhekbXXnhcAWlzAQdRG1tyXPJJ1eJzSV6thmk1lZZ7TG6EYMmvoNQcHEZb1aakqsVGacRVYqMlYm0rzt8W9SL/AHCnW9ovcOr7Re42jImg1DGg74A6l1nVlRirzFbzbXPw49fmtXJL2pyy9qbNkTW5hoHIAPcuo6rIcSgZQaZfMt+sHwuXq7I9s/L7o8D+ov00f+S+jOdZ2GwAlraiPEDTOoOuq2qs1jrJ8LmZUKctlJtK6je/fcGud5NgnB3C4DkLWn3k9KtiUljab8vqzlwEm9l1k+6/0QXoYfkH+efhaobW9tHy+7Or+nv00/8Al9kA6EePJ5o966Nr8kfM4/6b9pU8l9RNHP8AGS8j/jCNofpIe76D2R/can/t/khLR/1Eec34AiH9ufk/qKp/efev8UM0tbitDBvsaOl7lrZUrYeT8X9EY2/HNjIR6xS+bEYzuS1gfQdQfyuyqeRw9iTl2zBt/wDcvqvyhxgtm7SUVyOy9z/D+hobyvJsDQ5wcQTTKmuld0rxcLhp4iTjFrh1PpcdjaeDgp1E2m7cP9tFNpFZGviFpaKEhpPGHUpWm6Khens6vOnVeHlxXG3g19jw9tYWlWw6xlNWbs34p6X8UWNyTGSFrjmfFJ36GlV520KSp4iSjpr8T2NkYiVbCQlLXT4B4auM9Ia4JDC7nb8rzFVo8xOpyl+uw5wa3+KOXqKlV0Nw1AMIUbFTsKLCELEWGZrS24ZrS5hjwUa0g4jTMniChWpSnoc9am5tWNGGK1joM3aLildbhaBh2sOadZxUa0A5U4lF03vM3cc7py3mYXSq4pbRIx8WHwW0OIkZ4qjcO+nWpuTTQVacpO6ItJNH555xLFhADWipcQQ4EmuQ4wlVpSlK6M1KcpSuiOzXNeAe0unq0OBcNtcatBFRSmeVUlTq3V38xKFS+ot+6O2iS0umiLAPBwnEWuBDQK5DLMJ1KM3O8QnTk5XQ+7rot7ZWOkmqwOBcNscajdFKZojTqpq74eY4xqJ8WarAumxe5UaT3e+aNrYwCQ8E5gZYXDd5Qu7AVoUajlPS1vmjytr4WriaKhTXG9/kyk7z20sERIDNVMQpTmzXodqwanvEvW8meP6P2nKmqLfqdLq3yNBd90NjgMJNcQOMjdLhQ05BToXmV8VKpWVVd2nuPcwuAjRwzoPje935mfbdFshxMiNWu1kECu5Wjs2nkXpvFYStaVRcV1v9tTwo7P2jhs0KL9V9Gvvp7i50duYwNJeRjdStNQA1Cu6c1wY/FKvJKOiPY2Ts94SDc+Z/IrrwuSdkxms58Yk0qAQT4wo7IhdVHF0Z0VSr9328jz8Vs3FUsQ6+FevHuur668GiS5rkl23b5z4WsCoJJIpU0yAAWMXi6e63NHQrs7ZtdYjtOJfrfF38bcOAt+XRLJOx7AC0BoJqBqcScjxFZwWKp0qEoSfFt/RG9p7Pr18VCrTXBJd/Rtk2kl0uma0sALmndNPBOv2gKOzsVGhJqej+pfbOz54uEXTXrJ/JjrXdz5rO1j/BkFDrqMQqMyNwj3rNLEQoYlzhxi/o/wAFMRgqmLwUadThNW+K4d3VFK66rY5ohPiDVVwp7MyOJeksVgoydVcz8Hf8HhvZ+05wWHlyLxVvyaa7rEIo2xg1prO+TmSvExFV1qrm+8+pweGWGoRpLu+veFYVGx0jHNSsO5PdI+U5it0l6xmo+BeLqIA9tOQ5eoqdTQ3DUExcSlc3Y4uRcLHYkXCwmJFwsMnnaxpe6gDRUneARdBZmcjvh8jTJmwFxDW0GTRqPPr510Uopkqt0BS32QfnCutUYtaHDKtJPUQ36R+0P55k9zHoLfy6id/zwhT3Eegt/LqNOkZ3HnpT3Eegu0S6jHaRuH7Qo3EegniJdRG6Ru4R3V00RuI9A7RLqRu0pcP2hT7PHoLtMupC7Sx/lO5Vrs0ehntUuow6WSeWSn2eHQXap9RP7VP8onnS7PDoPtM+pE/SmXceU+zw6C7TU6jRpPLwjulG4h0QdoqdWKdKpfLKOzw6D7VU6mt0atzpbO17nEnE8VOugeQPYvIxHq1Gkevh3mppss8ahctY7GncLC4kCOqi4CEpANQMKur5zmK3S5jE9C7XURBrf4o5eoqVXQ3DUAUCpyAFpxosB1EAcQmBl75lAc8F2EE1FTStQNW/mCurDcUQrmRnwlxOL2r1Y6Hjyu2RUb5Q6UzBGXx6sbfSQFmQve3yh6SYuJE60MGt49JHALMjfb4/LB50XQ3GRCbZHv8A9X4p3QsrGutrNwj0kXQZGRm1s3COlPMhZGM7qG4fajMh5GNNo48+VK6HkYvdHGjMgyM7b+NLPFd5rcyfcek6DSE2Rpdkcb+jGaLwsVxqux7uGTVJIvsY3x0rnsXH4kxCh3GgQ4O40AJXjQAmLjSANuj5zmKrS5jFTQvV1EAe26hy9RU6mhuGoEVEodRAHU40AJRICg0qt8kcMrmigjZjrXXn7taUW86Ruytc8jtGk1of4z2nLWY4z72FdOhnUhF7zHdb6qL7Cd2GVHG9Jt9vq4/sIzMMqE75zeUPQZ9lF2OyHG8Zh9L+lvYi7CyGi8pvK9g7ErsLCC8Jj9M9A6gndhYR1tl8souwscLZLvu393tRdhYeLXMfpO9vai7CyF7sl33dJRdhYR1rl339JRcLCtlmP0n9JHWjiBLHtx1veP5j2pgWNmbJ5TzQb518eaBXG3haXNjcQ91W5gVzyyAHOUNBc9PEwIBrrC4SlhwlG+mKw4SjfQKw4vG/7UcAsxuIb/tSGH3KRtvMVWjzE6mhoF1EAW8fFHL1FSq6G6epX86gWEoErAcWBFkO7EISsBndLAHwSw5gysLAQK0ru03aJRdnc3a6MFYdj6VxFZqA01x50PFi99FdVb9xjLYe7R+FuW3vNMvm2/aU9+evHZravcTvHDw0noN7Ub9mvRj6ii4oeGl9BnajfsPRb6jDo/Dw8vosRv2HozxO7wQ8NL6MfYjfsPRfiL3ki4eX0Y+xG/Yei/ETvNFw83ox9iN+w9F+Iw3JH+8TejH2I37D0X4id5Y/3mb0Y+xG/Yeil1Gm5WfvM/ox9iN+w9FLqNNys/eZvRj7EdoYeil+4ablb+9T+izsRv2HolfuEFzgarXaB/KzsRv2HolfuGSXOT/3to6G9SfaGHoiP7gSTRuuu1TEboIHPnVHaH0H6Ij+5m4bf+QFCKCmVOtRzM36Lj+4Vt9MJFWk86VwezUlwkX0ZaNxaVjx3mJcbd0exPgLiNLmfmoS4B6xZaPubtwofondqqUeYnVvlNQuw5QW8fFHL1FSq6G6epXKBYSnIgBCEhiOSGV9rb7+tTaKIAtF/wBnidm/EQdTBi3eLJUzK5pYao43asvE8vvXSRkUjmuDq1rkAR4WYzrxrUcPOSuj1HtWhD1XfgBHTBnkSdA7VrssxemaHRnf2sZ5Eh5h2o7JUF6aodGINLBwUvQO1PsdQXpuh0fy/Io0or+xk/p7UdjqB6bodGSN0hJ/ZO53NH/JPsVUXpzD9GSNvtx+h/Wz7SfYavgL07Q6P+e8lbejjuNHLI3qKfYKngL07Q6P5fkkbbnHg+eVqOwVPAXp2j+1/L8jhaHngvWtR2Cp1QenqP7X8vyOxv8A8n1zUdhqdUHp2j+1/L8jDaHjdh9cxHYKnVB6eo/tfy/IndDzq2o8kzE+wVPAPT1H9r+X5OM0m8z1rO1HYKngHp6j+1/L8nCSTyG+sb2o7DU8A9PUf2v5fkksolkcGBrcRrQF4zprI3N1TqYScFmZSntqlN2SZa2e47RiBO1gVBPhE5Vz1NXPlKS2lFxaszZiQ/kLR41hRNx+z8EXDKIZDvnoSHYs9HX1mpl4p3FSjzE6y9U1S7DlBbw8UcvUVOpobhqAqJU5AHFICN6QwK1AELEjcTO3jZI3AsIbhIoQDTLm1Kd7O6L6rieX6WWNkc2BvijAG1NaDa91xzOpevhHend+J5eKVp2XQDuuOPwqgHNu5XcfxKtTut/NCVPvv/NQu8o4wRQAa9ym9xJ0eK4hV4ARLVbgR4ljd8bCzxQfDO4K+K2g6a9KhUfra9xaC4DL0jDaUoM3ahTye1apSuKorABAVrkrDgQi4rCiRu+i4WF2xid0FhSY90+/sRdBZitliH/hFwsPdaI/zki6CwhtEQ3B7EXCxE60MrkR+eZFwsWmi847rs1DmXSDphfvrnxXGky+H4VEeoCvH7F4x6g8A8fSmAgG5X2rIEwjy/EJ2Fcs9Ho6TbvilUor1idV+qahdZzAtv8AFHL1FSq6G4agNVEqdVAHVQBG4pMAaZYZtFPbWKbKxZ5JsgH9ZI8z4PxXrYL2XxPPxftAK5Gg4uVnukVKvd7/ALEqff8AzqGXw0Zcp6k6OgVSraBVWJF7czRh/nPwsXPV19xenoD3xTLzne5i1R7zNXuK0gKxIYaJiEyQMQOCAGveECGYxXUi4WFcQgBj3hAEQkRcLFlolN+vWbz3f7b1DEezZehzo9oZIOJeUd48OH5qkMcCkA4EIAtdH3Vl5iq0eYnU0NKuo5wS8T4I5eoqVXQ3T1AaqBU6qYCFyLgRuKyMHkWWaRW2vd/FYZRHjGyDaGm1ktcHAhpBBqD4AzHQvUwvCnY4MTxmVl0WzDiyOtu7xP7VSr3fzoTprX+dR97XgTSnHWvMimxzRWi1u4lTMyeVFrdt4lrKbuOuXI0KVTiysFwB7yt5NBxu9ob2LVNmaiAjbDxKlzFhDazxdCWYMondruJGZhlQ02x3EjMwyoTuo8SMzDKhO63IzMMo3ugouFhe6DvouwshjpSi7CyLbQ51bbZ+IuP/ALb1Ks/UZWivXPZ4X/nNecdwW13F+elIBwcsjHtd+RkgRb6PH5XmPUq0eYnV5TTrqOcCvUeCOXqKjW0KU9SuaSucqLVMBuIpXY7Iie4rLbHZA0hKy2zaSAbTHiBadRBrXeOVPat0abqTsmYq1FThmaPGtNrie20Ubhw4WhvIBSi9dUnFanmdpjLuKJt1TbhHSVrJIW+j0F70TndB5z2IySFvoDm3DOd729ie7kLfwJGaOWk6h7+xPdSF2mCJm6I2t30RzlG6kLtUAlmgdtP0Wc7vwT3b6i7THoyduxxbTuwj+c9TUt34j7Suj+X5JW7GVs3XwD+Z32E8niHaPAlGxfauGs/pP+wjIhdo8Dv0W2vhrP6T/sIyoN8+go2K7Xw1n9J/2EZUG+8Dv0V2zcls3pP+wlZD3vgNdsW23hbL6b/u07BvF4/L8jRsW27hLL6x/wB2s8f5/wDBqa8fl+RLh0Xks1qxSPY7a8TfAxEEkUObgMsyuSvPWJ30I3SkegWVxXGzqDoweNZYcAlkfEUrBcnbHxIsFy00eHy38pVKPMTq8pqF1nMC3h4o5eoqdXQ3DUAUChxQMYUgI3JDI3LIzN6VXiYWijSa5mgJORFKUrxq+FaVS7MV6UqlJqPgYK3XsXkF8b/Vv+yvV3sOp5XY6y/7X8AZl4s4J/q3fZT3seonhav7X8Cdt5/5Mnq3/ZT3sepnsdT9r+DCI70duQS+qf8AZRvo9Q7FV/a/gStvaTcgm9U/7KN9DqHYavR/AeL5l4Gb1b+xG9h1DsVXo/gO7+TcDN6t/YlvYdR9jq9H8Du/s3Ay+rf9lPew6h2Kr0fwFGkM4/Yy+rf9lLew6h2Or0fwZx0kl4GX1b/sp7yHUOx1ej+DG/2nl4KX1b/so3kOoux1ej+DGHSiXg5B/pu6wjeQDslXo/gyN2lEnkv9F3YjeQH2Or0fwYx2lb+Mcx7EbyIuyVOj+Ax+mDvKpzpbyIdlqeIy7rw2xxPhEk1xnMHPf/OpedW4zbR6+HjJU0rGlsb1zssWcTlkAyNyQidpQBaaP/PDzSqUeYxU5TTrqOcFvDxRy9RUquhuGoAoFRCgBpQBGVkZE9ZNGF0xtBbaQ0EgbU05H+N4PuCvS0Omi+BRSWojU53SVQtca2SQj5x/JVMVhwLhre486Qznl3lu6UDOGLy3dKAOxO8t3SUwFbIfKPSgLnOnp9J3SgLnbdlrJ5ygLiCbjcOdAXHi0U+kelArjXWn+M9KAuP7sI+kUBcY63nfKAuROt5qMz+SgWY613ocJGQypq5UBcMuGcuhjJ14fwU5anG3dl7BIpsQdE9IApjkhFvo8fluYqlHmMVOU1C6jnBLxPgjl6ipVdDcNSvxqFytji5FwsMc8b6Vx2I3OSuOxE9yyNI8/wBPzS0Ru34qdD3faV6WjL0jLPkKqWYQLQcuRAswrrQUBmHifIpDzHd0ZJjzA77Zmgy5EgtWSAzEHdRrqQLMSd0+CeTrQPMRd2IFmEfaNRQK5EJzRAswklrKAzEW3kpizHGU1H53SgVxlsky17m/voByLzRu0Vgj4gW+iSOpSlqRNDZ5xvrDHYOitA31kLMKjnG+shZl7ozKDMPNPUq0X6xOqvVNauo5gO8/FHL1FSraFKepWrnLDSErDI3hJoaIiFkZDID+SkNHneyFOGTRlzgAWGlTu4vwXRR0KRaRmG3jCdb29IVblVOLC222z8NH6SLjvHqcbXZ+HZ0/gi4vV6iOtsHDs9vYi4Xj1Iprxg3Jme3sRcTcepC23Qbszeg9iLivHqLLeMO5K1FwbXUiFviGuVqLiuupHLekXCtRcTa6kTbwi4RqLhddRJLyj4RvSncV0ROvNnlt6Qi4rkZvRnlDpCLizITvqzyh0hFxZkRuvVvlN6Qi4s66iOvRrjTEDUUGe7uJmXNPvNZcjNrja3lPSSetTkFi7gkWGaLCF6yzQXHL+c1lhY0GiLvlx5rupbo8xKtym2XWcgHefijl6ipVdClPUrqLnLDSOJICNzENDuMc1IdyGRqQ7mdvxzYpMcoY5j2gAPaHAOBJJAIyqCPRCxWbSWU3RSbeYrhell3IrP6pnYubPM6ckBTedn4GD1bOxGeYbuJ3fSzcDB6tnYjPMN3ETvrBwEHq2diM8w3cTu+sHAwerZ2IzzHu4nd84OCg9WzsSzzDdxO76wcFD6tnYjPMMkRDe8HBw+gzsRmkGSIx18w8HD6DexGaQZYjDfMHkRerZ2JXkFoDe/cHkReg3sReQWgNN+weTH6LexP1wtA43/DvM9FqLSD1Rvf+H+HoCLSC8RDpDCN1vsRlkF4jH6Sxfw+xPLIM0Stltm2PxA5agu2gmo8TmqtN8AqAn8hVZNFjCXLLNBcUhWWM0miDybQK+S7qW6PMSrcpuF1nICXkfBHL1FSq6FKepXYlz3K2Eqi4WGkpXGRuKVx2IXHOnMkOxBetnheMMsbHjWA9odQ8VdSqnYjJXKrvDYD/ANrZ/Vs7FrMYykguGwgf4WD1TOxGYMoyS4rF+6werb2JZmKxE7R+xfusHq2ozMLEb9H7D+7Q+iE8zCxGdHrF+7R+iEszCxE/Rqw/u8fR+KMzCxGdGLEf2DPajMwsMOi9i4BntRmYWIn6MWOldpb7UZmCQx2itkOqJo6e1PMwsQ2bReyljCYxUtaTr1loO+m5O4WOk0WstK4OKiSmxtEP9mLNXxKc57U8zFY5+ilmyy9qM7CwP/ZmzV1E86edhlBp4WRyOjYKNaaAb2VdaVy8dAuzSLLNlhFLyrLNBkM3KsjsaPRCStoGR8V3Ut0eYlVXqm4XWcoHefijl6io1tClPUrqrnuWG1RcBC5K47EbikMHe+mpCfEGuBTaVW/A1hGoqqJPQz0d9p5TJP37B3aIsBxvsb6Mohhv1tdaMoDpL9bvhGUAd1+iutPKBGb8ajKIQ39TeRlAidfhrrRlAjffpocxue9PKCON+mqMoENlvohjBX6LfhA6kNAPbfXjZ1r2BKw7kZvk7/53k7CI5b3JHjdCdgIBelaAuRYBZJsTyePXyZJMtDQLs71llCwhessYXEVhmjS6G/4gea7qVKPMSrcpvF1nICXmPBHL1FRrcpSnqVhK5iw0oGNJSGQzOoCUIaK2e10rl7fwWshRQMjpfK98WMNJwaw3MkOIwkDdOdFqm7vKSq07JsxZtE4y7nm6PxXRkZy5h7J5z+wk58I/5I3bDMOMs/Av/p+0jdsMxzhPr2p3OW9bk92wuRvkl4P+tg97kbthcaJJuDPpx/bRkYrjXPk3WAcskf20ZGFxhtDt5vpsPuKWQBBaHHcHSnkC4jpXb7Nw+MexGQLiOndvt6T2IyBcibK8Cng5Za/wRkC4pdIPJzzzPNvIyDuyN0795p5z2IyCuyMzv/h6T2IyhxOxv8pnSesIyhxLe7bRUAGlc9RrWmZ94WZRtxLU5X4FxC5SZYNikWTSC4ZFkZrdCGk2iu8wk9ICpR5iVblN6uo5Br2gih3UmrqzGnYAfdx3CKcf4LndF9zKqqu8Z3udvjpPYluZD3qEN2v329J7EbmQb2Ix11PO63pPYhUZD3qAJdHZDqLOk/ZW92yqxMV1Ke99DLS+J7I3Q4jk3E5wFKgkEhhI1HcOtJUmpKQqleMotK5j2bFl6DVLZPXS/cLo4nJcmbsa3sNUtk9dL9wgLjv0dXxw1j9bL9wi7C4jtjm+T+2sXrJPuEXYELtjC9jrlsR/1JfuEBcidsT3odcli9bL9wgLkf6ILy8ux+tl+4SsFxf0RXl5di9bL9wiwXOOxHefCWL1kv3CYXGnYhvPhLF6yX7lKwXE/RBefC2L1kv3CLBc79D958LY/Wy/cIsFzjsQXpw1j9ZL9ygLjf0PXpwtj9ZL9yiwXE/Q7enDWP1kv3KLBcQ7Dd6cNY/WS/cosFwi7th+8WPxPmspABApJJrJH+SN5FjcJJO7L+HY5tgGb7P6b/u1N0+hXfQ8QiPY/tY+nZ/Tf92sbqQ99Eng0DtNfCfCBvhznHoLB70tzIe/ibS4rmZZmENzc7xnaq01UG4OJWhBRRzzm5Ms1swcgDkAcgDkAcgDkAcgDkAcgDkAcgDkAcgDkAcgDkAcgDkAcgDkAcgDkAcgDkAcgDkAcgDkAcgD/9k=" title="Free book image" width="400" /> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>Editorial note:</strong> This post was first published when free e-book platforms were less common. Some of the websites originally listed have since changed, disappeared or adopted paid subscription models. The list has therefore been updated to include active and legal sources of free books.</span></p></blockquote><p>Information may be freely available, but finding reliable books can sometimes be frustrating. As more publishers and authors embrace digital publishing, the cost and accessibility of books have been positively affected.</p><p>More importantly, many publishers, universities and organisations now make books available to the public at no cost.</p><p>Below are some carefully selected websites where books can be read or downloaded legally and free of charge.</p><p>So, get reading and downloading!</p><h2><a href="https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks">Open Textbook Library</a></h2><p>The Open Textbook Library contains free textbooks covering subjects such as accounting, business, computer science, education, law, mathematics, natural sciences and social sciences.</p><p>The books are openly licensed, meaning they can be legally read, downloaded and, depending on the licence, adapted with proper acknowledgement.</p><h2><a href="https://openstax.org/">OpenStax</a></h2><p>OpenStax provides free, peer-reviewed textbooks for secondary-school and university-level courses.</p><p>Its collection includes Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Economics, Business, Psychology and other subjects. The books can be read online or downloaded in digital formats at no cost.</p><h2><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books">NCBI Bookshelf</a></h2><p>NCBI Bookshelf is an online collection of books and documents in medicine, healthcare and the life sciences.</p><p>It contains materials on biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, public health and other biomedical subjects. Most materials can be searched and read online, while available download options depend on the particular publication.</p><h2><a href="https://www.doabooks.org/">Directory of Open Access Books</a></h2><p>The Directory of Open Access Books, commonly known as DOAB, provides access to scholarly, peer-reviewed books made available under open-access licences.</p><p>Its collection covers different academic subjects and languages. Users can search by title, subject, author or publisher and follow the link to the full book.</p><h2><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/">Project Gutenberg</a></h2><p>Project Gutenberg is one of the oldest and largest sources of free electronic books.</p><p>It contains thousands of books, particularly classic works whose copyrights have expired. Books are available in formats such as EPUB, Kindle and plain text, and they can also be read online.</p><p>Readers should still consider the copyright laws applicable in their own countries.</p><h2><a href="https://www.onlineprogrammingbooks.com/">Online Programming Books</a></h2><p>Online Programming Books provides free books and learning materials on programming, computer science, software development, artificial intelligence, web design and computer hardware.</p><p>Users can search by programming language or subject and follow the provided links to books that are legally available online.</p><h2><a href="https://www.planetebook.com/">Planet eBook</a></h2><p>For readers who enjoy classic novels and literature, Planet eBook is a useful option.</p><p>It provides a smaller, carefully prepared collection of classic books in PDF, EPUB and MOBI formats. Since copyright laws differ between countries, users should check whether a particular work is in the public domain where they live.</p><h2><a href="https://www.free-ebooks.net/">Free-eBooks.net</a></h2><p>Free-eBooks.net contains fiction, non-fiction, academic and self-published books.</p><p>A free account allows users to download a limited number of books each month. Unlimited downloads and additional formats require a paid membership, so book choices should be made carefully.</p><h2><a href="https://openlibrary.org/">Open Library</a></h2><p>Open Library allows users to search, read and borrow millions of books online.</p><p>Some public-domain books may be freely read or downloaded, while copyrighted books are generally available for digital borrowing for a limited period. A free account is required for borrowing.</p><h2>Download Responsibly</h2><p>A website offering a book without payment does not automatically mean that it has permission to distribute it.</p><p>Readers should use recognised open-access libraries, public-domain collections, official publishers and legitimate digital-lending services. Authors and publishers deserve acknowledgement and protection for their work.</p><p>This list will be updated as more useful and legal sources become available.</p></div>
</div>

Top Legal Sites to Read and Download Free Books

Editorial note: This post was first published when free e-book platforms were less common. Some of the websites originally listed hav...

The Quest to Find President Jonathan’s PhD Thesis

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<div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>Editorial note:</strong> This article reflects the questions raised about President Goodluck Jonathan’s doctoral thesis during the 2015 election campaign. Later evidence identified the title and supervisor of the thesis and supported the University of Port Harcourt’s confirmation that he obtained the degree.</span></p></blockquote><p>Among President Goodluck Jonathan’s stated academic qualifications was a PhD in Zoology from the University of Port Harcourt. According to his profile, he also obtained a BSc in Zoology and an MSc in Hydrobiology and Fisheries Biology from the same university.</p><p>Questions were, however, raised about his doctoral qualification because critics said they could not locate a copy of his thesis or easily trace academic publications connected to it.</p><p>A doctoral thesis is normally required before the award of a PhD. However, the inability to locate an old thesis online or on a departmental shelf does not necessarily prove that it was never written. Many Nigerian universities had poor record-keeping systems, and a large number of older academic works were never digitised.</p><p>So, did President Jonathan possess a doctoral degree?</p><h2>The Freedom of Information Request</h2><p>The Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law attempted to answer the question by writing to the University of Port Harcourt under the Freedom of Information Act.</p><p>The organisation requested information and documents concerning:</p><ol><li><p>the title of the President’s doctoral thesis;</p></li><li><p>the year he registered as a doctoral candidate;</p></li><li><p>the name of his supervisor or supervisors;</p></li><li><p>the names of his external examiners;</p></li><li><p>the reports of the external examiners;</p></li><li><p>a copy of the thesis; and</p></li><li><p>the date he graduated from the university.</p></li></ol><p>The organisation also stated that it was willing to pay the cost of photocopying and posting the requested documents.</p><p>The request was made during the controversy surrounding the educational qualification of the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari.</p><p>However, the two cases were not exactly the same. Jonathan’s PhD was not the minimum qualification required to contest for president. The Nigerian Constitution requires a presidential candidate to have been educated to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent.</p><p>A false declaration of qualification could raise a separate legal issue, but the mere inability of members of the public to locate a thesis would not, by itself, establish perjury.</p><p>Under the Freedom of Information Act, the university was expected to respond to the request.</p><p>So, the wait began.</p><h2>What Happened Afterwards?</h2><p>The University of Port Harcourt later declined to release the detailed records requested by the organisation. The university had, however, publicly maintained that Jonathan completed the academic requirements for his BSc, MSc and PhD degrees.</p><p>Later in 2015, further evidence emerged from a University of Port Harcourt School of Postgraduate Studies publication titled <em>PhD Theses Abstracts 1983–2008</em>.</p><p>The publication reportedly listed Jonathan’s thesis as:</p><blockquote><p><strong>“Ecology of <em>Parhyale hawaiensis</em> Dana 1853 and Other Intertidal Talitroids (Crustacean Amphipoda) in the Bonny and New Calabar Rivers Estuary.”</strong></p></blockquote><p>The thesis was reported to have been supervised by Dr I. P. Aleleye-Wokoma and to be 215 pages long.</p><p>The University of Port Harcourt’s postgraduate records also identify Goodluck Jonathan as one of its graduates and state that he obtained an MSc in 1985 and a PhD in 1995.</p><p>The later evidence therefore substantially answered the original question. Although a publicly accessible full copy of the thesis was not produced during the controversy, records of its title, abstract, supervisor and length supported the university’s confirmation that Jonathan completed the doctoral programme.</p><h2>Search Description</h2><p>The 2015 search for Goodluck Jonathan’s University of Port Harcourt PhD thesis, the Freedom of Information request and the evidence that later emerged.</p></div>
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The Quest to Find President Jonathan’s PhD Thesis

Editorial note: This article reflects the questions raised about President Goodluck Jonathan’s doctoral thesis during the 2015 election ca...

Buhari’s Certificate Controversy: School Releases Academic Record

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<div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>Editorial note:</strong> This article reflects the controversy surrounding Muhammadu Buhari’s educational qualification during the campaign for Nigeria’s 2015 presidential election. The document released by his former school was a statement of result, not the original West African School Certificate.</span></p></blockquote><p>The controversy surrounding the eligibility of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), appeared likely to ease following the release of his academic record by his former school.</p><p>The authorities of Government College, Katsina—formerly Provincial Secondary School, Katsina—made copies of Buhari’s statement of result available to journalists on 21 January 2015 at his request.</p><p>The statement appeared to have been extracted from the school’s record of candidates who sat the 1961 West African School Certificate Examination. It showed that Buhari sat the examination alongside several other students. (<a href="https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/175384-breaking-katsina-college-releases-buharis-%E2%80%8Bwasc-results.html">premiumtimesng.com</a>)</p><p>Buhari’s eligibility to contest for the presidency had earlier been questioned by some of his political opponents. He had submitted an affidavit to the Independent National Electoral Commission stating that his academic documents were with the Secretary of the Military Board.</p><p>However, the Nigerian Army later stated that Buhari’s personal file did not contain the original certificate or statement of result, although it contained other records showing that he had attended secondary school. (<a href="https://www.thecable.ng/breaking-buharis-personal-file-not-contain-certificates-says-army/">thecable.ng</a>)</p><p>The document released by Government College, Katsina, supported Buhari’s claim that he attended the school and sat the West African School Certificate Examination. However, because it was a newly issued statement of result rather than the original certificate, the political controversy did not entirely end.</p><p>The academic record and the original report on its release can be viewed through <em>Premium Times</em>.</p><h2>Later Development</h2><p>Muhammadu Buhari eventually contested and won the 2015 presidential election. He served as President of Nigeria from 2015 to 2023.</p><p>In 2018, the West African Examinations Council presented him with an attestation of result. Questions about his educational qualification arose again during the 2019 election, but legal actions seeking his disqualification were unsuccessful. One appeal was dismissed by the Supreme Court in September 2019. (<a href="https://punchng.com/supreme-court-dismisses-suit-against-buhari/">punchng.com</a>)</p><p>Buhari died on 13 July 2025, after leaving office two years earlier. (<a href="https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/806895-muhammadu-buhari-former-president-of-nigeria-is-dead.html">premiumtimesng.com</a>)</p></div>
</div>

Buhari’s Certificate Controversy: School Releases Academic Record

Editorial note: This article reflects the controversy surrounding Muhammadu Buhari’s educational qualification during the campaign for Nig...

PDP Manifesto on Education: Promises, Progress and Poor Performance

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<div style="text-align: justify;"><p>A basic litmus test for judging the performance of any government or political party is its achievement in the education sector.</p><p>Education lays the foundation for the development of every other sector of a nation. Achievements in education should, therefore, be among the most important milestones of any government.</p><p>The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) produced the presidents who governed Nigeria continuously from 1999 to 2015. However, by the end of that period, the education sector was still struggling with many of the problems inherited from the era of military rule. The party lost the presidency in the 2015 general election after 16 years in power.</p><p>Education policies were often unstable, strike actions were frequent, and funding remained a major problem. In summary, the education sector did not improve as much as Nigerians had expected after the country returned to democratic government.</p><p>The consequences could be seen across society in rising unemployment, crime, violence and the slow pace of scientific and technological development.</p><p>The PDP’s manifesto on education is reproduced below as a reference for assessing the party’s performance.</p><blockquote><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>Editorial note:</strong> This is the version of the education and science and technology sections available when this article was originally written. Later editions of the PDP manifesto used revised wording and targets. An INEC-hosted edition similarly promises free and compulsory basic education, improved access, better quality and increased enrolment.</span></p></blockquote><h2>PDP Objectives for Education</h2><p>The manifesto described education as an important social instrument for promoting national unity among Nigeria’s diverse peoples.</p><p>It stated that a PDP government would:</p><ol><li><p>ensure that the educational system was improved;</p></li><li><p>ultimately provide free and functional education at all levels;</p></li><li><p>integrate political and civic education into the formal education system, with emphasis on the Constitution, the state and democratic principles;</p></li><li><p>foster and expand education at all levels and in all fields of knowledge; and</p></li><li><p>encourage private and voluntary organisations to establish schools, subject to compliance with government policies.</p></li></ol><h2>Proposed Strategies for Education</h2><p>The PDP promised to pursue the following strategies:</p><ol><li><p>Promote pre-primary education by encouraging the establishment of private nursery schools so that every Nigerian child would have an opportunity to begin education at the nursery level.</p></li><li><p>Provide:</p><ul><li><p>free and compulsory primary education;</p></li><li><p>free and compulsory junior secondary education; and</p></li><li><p>free and qualitative senior secondary education.</p></li></ul></li><li><p>Expand the Unity School system as a model and an instrument for promoting national unity.</p></li><li><p>Encourage greater involvement of private individuals and organisations in the delivery of educational services, subject to government regulation.</p></li><li><p>Establish adult and continuing education centres to promote mass literacy among Nigerians.</p></li><li><p>Provide technical educational institutions with well-equipped workshops and adequate numbers of properly trained teachers.</p></li><li><p>Encourage the establishment of private universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, subject to government regulation.</p></li><li><p>Provide adequate funding for university education.</p></li><li><p>Improve the social and economic status of teachers and other education personnel through better conditions of service.</p></li><li><p>Provide free university education for students studying science, technology and medicine.</p></li><li><p>Provide Federal Government scholarships based on merit.</p></li><li><p>Provide libraries, laboratories and workshop facilities in schools and colleges.</p></li><li><p>Encourage universities to establish and operate consultancy units.</p></li><li><p>Guarantee academic freedom within the university system.</p></li><li><p>Encourage entrepreneurs to provide affordable hostel accommodation for university students.</p></li><li><p>Train more teachers and enforce the requirement that the Nigeria Certificate in Education should be the minimum qualification for primary school teachers.</p></li><li><p>Provide special educational facilities for the children of nomads.</p></li><li><p>Provide adequate facilities and trained personnel for learners with disabilities.</p></li></ol><h2>PDP Objectives for Science and Technology</h2><p>The manifesto also promised to:</p><ol><li><p>provide an adequate industrial base for rapid technological development and promote scientific and technological literacy among Nigerians;</p></li><li><p>encourage the acquisition, adoption, use and appreciation of scientific and technological inventions and methods in everyday life; and</p></li><li><p>promote appropriate technologies required for sustainable development.</p></li></ol><h2>Proposed Science and Technology Strategies</h2><p>The party promised to:</p><ol><li><p>provide facilities and create an environment suitable for promoting scientific and technological literacy;</p></li><li><p>encourage scientific and technological research institutions to develop simple tools and industrial equipment from locally available raw materials;</p></li><li><p>promote an enquiring and inventive spirit at every level of the education system;</p></li><li><p>encourage the development of a scientific and technological culture among Nigerians; and</p></li><li><p>accelerate the completion of iron, steel, gas and petrochemical plants under construction in the country.</p></li></ol><h2>How Well Were the Promises Fulfilled?</h2><p>The manifesto contained many attractive promises. However, a manifesto should not be judged by the beauty of its language. It should be judged by the extent to which its promises are translated into measurable improvements.</p><p>A fair assessment must also recognise that the Federal Government does not control every aspect of education. State and local governments, school proprietors, regulatory agencies, teachers, parents and communities all have important responsibilities.</p><p>Nevertheless, the party that controlled the Federal Government for 16 years had sufficient time and authority to provide national direction, strengthen institutions and demonstrate what was possible.</p><h2>Expansion of Access to Education</h2><p>The PDP administrations recorded some achievements in expanding access.</p><p>The Universal Basic Education Programme was introduced in 1999 to provide greater access to basic education. The Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act was subsequently enacted in 2004.</p><p>The National Open University of Nigeria was revived in 2002, giving more people an opportunity to obtain university education through open and distance learning.</p><p>There was also a considerable expansion in the number of public and private universities. By May 2015, the National Universities Commission reported that Nigeria had 61 approved private universities. Several new federal universities were also established during the later years of the PDP administration.</p><p>The establishment of more institutions created additional admission opportunities. It also partly fulfilled the manifesto’s promise to encourage private participation in education.</p><p>However, an increase in the number of schools and universities did not automatically produce an equal improvement in quality.</p><p>Many institutions struggled with inadequate facilities, overcrowded classrooms, shortages of qualified personnel and limited research funding. Access expanded, but the quality and affordability of the education available remained uneven.</p><h2>Free and Functional Education</h2><p>The promise to provide free and functional education at all levels was not fully achieved.</p><p>Although basic education was declared free and compulsory, many families continued to pay for uniforms, books, transportation, examinations, levies and other school-related expenses.</p><p>The existence of a policy did not always mean that it was properly implemented. Millions of children remained outside formal schooling, particularly in poorer communities and parts of northern Nigeria.</p><p>The promise of free university education for all students of science, technology and medicine was also not fulfilled as a nationwide policy.</p><p>Tuition might have remained officially low or absent in some federal institutions, but students and their families still paid various charges and carried much of the cost of accommodation, books, transport and daily living.</p><h2>Funding and Industrial Disputes</h2><p>Adequate funding was one of the central promises in the manifesto, but it remained one of the most persistent sources of disagreement between the government and education workers.</p><p>Public universities experienced repeated strike actions over funding, university autonomy, staff welfare and the implementation of agreements between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities.</p><p>Industrial action did not begin under the PDP, but it continued repeatedly during the party’s years in government. Research covering the democratic period shows that university strikes consumed a substantial number of academic days and repeatedly disrupted students’ programmes.</p><p>The long university strike of 2013 was a particularly strong indication that the relationship between the government and university workers had not improved sufficiently.</p><p>The restructuring of the Education Trust Fund into the Tertiary Education Trust Fund under the TETFund Act of 2011 was an important intervention. TETFund provided supplementary funding for infrastructure, research, staff development and libraries in public tertiary institutions.</p><p>However, supplementary intervention could not completely replace proper and consistent government funding.</p><h2>Teachers and Learning Conditions</h2><p>The manifesto promised to improve the social and economic position of education personnel and to train more teachers.</p><p>Some efforts were made through teacher-training programmes and the enforcement of the Nigeria Certificate in Education as the minimum teaching qualification at the basic-education level.</p><p>Nevertheless, many teachers continued to work in difficult conditions. Problems included irregular salaries in some states, limited opportunities for professional development, overcrowded classrooms and shortages of teaching materials.</p><p>The promise to provide libraries, laboratories and workshops in all schools and colleges was far from being achieved. Many public schools lacked basic facilities, while some institutions had laboratories that were poorly equipped or no longer functional.</p><h2>Science and Technology</h2><p>The manifesto recognised that national development required scientific literacy, research, innovation and industrial growth.</p><p>However, Nigeria’s scientific and technological development remained slow. Universities and research institutes produced valuable studies, but weak links between research, industry and government limited the practical application of many findings.</p><p>Major industrial projects, including the steel sector, did not develop as expected. Nigeria continued to depend heavily on imported equipment, manufactured goods and technologies.</p><p>The country produced many graduates in science and engineering, but it did not create enough research opportunities, industries or jobs in which their skills could be fully applied.</p><h2>Overall Assessment</h2><p>It would not be entirely correct to say that nothing was achieved during the PDP’s 16 years in government.</p><p>The period witnessed:</p><ul><li><p>the introduction and legal establishment of Universal Basic Education;</p></li><li><p>the revival of the National Open University of Nigeria;</p></li><li><p>the expansion of federal and private universities;</p></li><li><p>the establishment of TETFund in its present form;</p></li><li><p>increased private participation in education; and</p></li><li><p>various scholarship, teacher-training and school-development programmes.</p></li></ul><p>However, these achievements fell far below the broad promises contained in the manifesto.</p><p>The party promised free and functional education at all levels, adequate university funding, improved conditions for teachers, properly equipped schools, affordable student accommodation, mass literacy and rapid scientific and technological development.</p><p>By 2015, many of these promises had either not been fulfilled or had been implemented only partially.</p><p>The appropriate judgement may therefore not be that the PDP achieved nothing, but that its performance did not match either the length of time it spent in power or the ambition of its manifesto.</p><p>In that sense, the verdict remained: <strong>some progress, but still far too poor.</strong></p><h2>Update: July 2026</h2><p>This article was originally written while the PDP still controlled the Federal Government. The party lost the presidency in 2015 and has remained outside the federal executive since then.</p><p>The update is important because the education problems discussed in the article did not disappear with the change of political party. Funding disputes, strikes, inadequate school facilities, teacher shortages, poor learning outcomes and the large number of out-of-school children have continued under later governments.</p><p>Recent World Bank estimates indicate that approximately 17.1 million Nigerian children aged 5–14 are out of school. The Bank also estimates that although a Nigerian child may expect to complete about 10.2 years of schooling by age 18, the amount actually learnt is equivalent to only about five years of effective education.</p><p>These continuing problems do not remove the PDP’s responsibility for its record between 1999 and 2015. They show, however, that Nigeria’s education crisis is deeper than the failure of one political party.</p><p>As the next election cycle approach, every party seeking power should be required to present clear, measurable and properly funded education plans. Citizens should also compare those promises with actual results rather than allowing manifestos to be forgotten immediately after elections.</p><p>Education should not be treated merely as a campaign promise. It should remain one of the main standards by which every government is judged.</p></div>
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PDP Manifesto on Education: Promises, Progress and Poor Performance

A basic litmus test for judging the performance of any government or political party is its achievement in the education sector. Education ...

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