Connect with us

Opinion

I am a Professor

Published

5 years ago

on

 

Abdelgaffar Amoka

I have been to different offices and saw congratulatory posters and calendars of senior colleagues to celebrate their promotion to the rank of Professor. Some of this new culture always reminds me of the likes of Dr. Bala Usman that were more than qualified to be Professors but decided not to be. But here we are today celebrating the rank with posters, calendars, customized written pads, etc. I didn’t know the origin of the culture of making a professorial congratulation calendar, but it appears to be a general practice in recent times. Congratulatory messages for the appointment/promotion to the rank have even been upgraded to newspaper advertorials. I find this to be contrary to the principles of academics.

What is in the rank of Professor to celebrate by the individuals, family, or friends? It is supposed to be another facet of the life of an academic with more responsibilities, more headaches, and so many academic and community expectations. You should rather be congratulating the university for having another professor as that suppose to be a plus to the university’s profile in terms and grant-winning, capacity building, and national/global ranking. The university at that level is supposed to be relying on you, as a professor, to attract research grants and mentor its seasoned academics and researchers.

I think the best form of individual celebration of the promotion to that exalted rank is an Inaugural Lecture where you present how far you have come to earn the exalted position and the future research path you have created for the younger academics (your mentees) to fit it in. That path is supposed to bring funds to the university. But that is sometimes not the case here. Instead, we hold onto university politics.

The first time I had close contact with a Professor was in the late 80s when I got to know that Dr. Sunday Asun, my father’s cousin was a Professor at the University of Jos. I was like wow! Professor in our family? He was like a superhuman to me. He was much adored and held in high esteem by all of us till he passed away and he is still a reference point till today. Whenever he travelled home, as a child, I always wonder what was in his head. To me, he knows everything as a Professor. He co-authored a Biology textbook for Senior secondary students, that was shortly after 6-3-3-4 was introduced, and his nephew, who was my classmate, got some copies while we were in SS1. I was so excited to see the name of someone I know as the author of a book. We were so happy to show the book to our classmates and with an emphasis that the Author is our uncle.

I rated academics very high right from the time I was a child. I had little or no exposure but I admire Teachers/Lecturers and the only Professor I know. Their characteristic afro-like hair with those patches of grey hair was so adorable to me. Professors are to me, the finest people to have existed and Professor Asun was my idol.

I got to the university with that mindset and found myself in Physics by accident. I was first taught by a Professor in my second year at the university. Though I didn’t like the idea of studying physics at that time, but I was so pleased to be taught by a Professor. It was an unbelievable experience receiving a lecture from a Professor. The quality of thought is different. You can feel that thing that made them Professors. In my final year, one of the Professors was able to make me find something to love in Physics. That was the first time I heard of “optical fibre” and the role of physics and the concept of “total internal reflection” in endoscopy in medicine and optic fibre communication. And further interactions with him made me start considering the idea of choosing academia as a career path. His humility was unbelievable. There is nothing like a nonsense question. He was prepared to answer all your questions. Professor N. Hariharan doesn’t wait for you till you come around, he looks for you if the need arises.

Then I eventually got into academics in 2005 and I realized it wasn’t as I had fantasized over the years. The reality I met was not exactly like my idea of academics over the years. I realized that what existed up to the late 80s and possibly mid-90s was quite different. The university system has degraded seriously and has affected the quality of thought. Underfunding and poor welfare had impacted negatively to the system over time. As at the period I joined, academics were just trying to survive. No research fund, no motivation. The quality of teaching and research had eroded. I was sort of disappointed and discouraged.

Advert

Of course, it is publish or perish in academia. Even though the research output was near zero for lack of funds and incentives, nobody want to perish. So everyone still publishes anyhow in order not to perish. All sorts of so-called university journals were floated for promotion’s sake. Publication in journals abroad used to be considered during the promotion to professorial cadre but it became silent. For those that still want to have a feeling that they have international journal papers, predatory journals like Journal of Innovative Research in Computer Science & Technology (IJIRCST), International Journal of Innovative Research in Engineering & Management (IJIREM), etc, were floated where you pay and get your paper published without proper peer-review.

There is this one that Prof Sa’ad Tukur, the former VC of FUT Minna termed as “communal effort”. One talented individual did work but helped colleagues come along by putting their names on the paper and called it group research and publications. This is possibly one of the reasons why some Nigerian universities discourage group publications. It is in reality, not a group publication.

All these have possibly led to the production of Professors that may not exactly be qualified for the rank judging from the quality of their ideas. They have the journal requirement for promotion but may have never attended an international conference or publish in any indexed international journal or won any research grant. Of course, these may not be part of the promotion requirements in that university.

There have been efforts to address this issue and some Vice-Chancellors are now emphasizing the need to publish in index journals. It will internationalize the research work of Nigerian academics and also enhance the visibility of the researcher and the affiliated universities in the research World.

The University of Ilorin for example has ranked journals in their promotion guidelines. The value attached to an article published in Q1 is like 4 times higher than the value attached to an article in a non-index university-based journal. We hope other universities will tow the path of Unilorin.

While these VCs are making efforts to take us back to the path of glory, a university recently appointed a serving Minister as a Professor. The last academic rank of the Minister was an Assistant Professor in a university in Saudi Arabia. The Nigerian University was either misguided in the appointment or somebody was convinced that an Assistant Professor in Saudi Arabian university is equivalent to a Reader in a Nigerian university. And interestingly, the people that often criticize the rot in our university did not see anything wrong in the unusual academic appointment but congratulating the “Professor” and calling the criticism envious or what they call “Hassada” in the Hausa language. I never knew our moral values have gone this low.

Envy? Academia is our constituency and we have the responsibility to defend it from internal and external aggression. If we don’t defend our constituency, no one will. If I need to envy anyone in this government, I think it should be the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Gambari. He was a distinguished academic and diplomat that was still found worthy of service in his 70s. I read profiles like his and their academic achievement and I wonder if I will be proud to be called a Professor looking at our limitations and my research output. He was a visiting professor to 3 universities in the US between 1986 and 1989. Can my academic and research output in our current setting earned me such when I become a Professor?

I read the biography of Prof. Ibrahim Gambari and I realized how much we have lost it. Prof Gambari who received his BSc (Econs) degree from the London School of Economics (1968) and his MA and PhD in Political Science/International Relations (1970, 1974) from Columbia University, USA was employed as a Lecturer at Queen’s College, the City University of New York in 1969 and later became an ASSISTANT PROFESSOR at the State University of New York from 1974 to 1977.

He returned to Nigeria to work as a SENIOR LECTURER at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, in 1977, where he rose to become a professor in 1983. He was appointed as a Minister and returned to Ahmadu Bello University in 1985 before he was later appointed the Nigerian Ambassador to the United Nations.

The point to note is that the revered and highly respected Prof Gambari returned to Nigeria as an Assistant Professor to pick the job of Senior Lecturer and not the job of a Professor. Even though Prof Sa’ad Tukur said there is no generalized NUC rule on promotion/appointment, and that every university decides on who to appoint as a Professor, but there seems to be no documented evidence that any university in Nigeria has appointed a politician or any other person who was an Assistant Professor with papers in predatory journals as Professor. FUTO is possibly setting that pace for others to follow.

Now that politicians are now feeling that the title “Dr.” is getting too common among themselves and the PhD holders among them are now interested in the title “Prof.” to distinguish themselves, we can possibly create honorary professors in our universities to make the acquisition of the title easier and less controversial. It may even be a source of revenue generation for our underfunded universities.

Anybody can have the “Dr” title at the moment. So, anyone should also be able to acquire the “Prof” title too. Let’s just pantamize the title and make it easier to be acquired. We can all be Profs!

Meanwhile, we are not envious of Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim. Some of us in academics just want to set the record straight. He can still be a Professor, there is no doubt about it, but he needs to take the path of the likes of Prof. Ibrahim Gambari. The title does not make a man but what is in him.

©Amoka

Related Topics:

Opinion

Kano Projects Not Urban-Based: Why Gov Abba Beats All

Published

18 hours ago

on

August 17, 2026

By

 

By Abba Anwar

From the flyovers of Lagos and Kano to the farm-to-market roads of Yobe and Ebonyi, Nigeria’s 36 state governments have spent the last three years rewriting their strategies for infrastructural development. All in an effort to bridge development gap.

Between 2023 and August 2026, state budgets and projects implementation show a deliberate paradigm shift. As cities get rail lines, hospitals and interchanges, rural communities are finally seeing feeder roads, solar boreholes and more modern schools.

But in Kano, under the able leadership of His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, the picture goes beyond that, as the distribution of projects is shared between urban and rural spaces with all sense of humor and fairness. Infrastructural development, among others, is not urban-based.

While 8 metropolitan local government areas (LGAs) have 598 projects across individual LGAs, with a contract sum of N299.36B, 36 rural local government areas (LGAs) have 653 projects across individual LGAs with a contract sum of N287.90B, Kano is still the only state in the federation, to my knowledge, with this scientific categorization, at least in the public eye. As available data indicates. I stand to be corrected.

Also as another category of cross-cutting local government areas (LGAs) boast of 37 projects connecting two or more LGAs together, with a contract sum of N159.50B, and statewide /other have 269 projects, connecting state and LGAs with a contract sum of N249.54B, Governor Yusuf is fast becoming Mr Due Process.

To take my readers deeper in understanding why Kano maintains dozens of miles ahead of other states, this piece examines two states from each of Nigeria’s six geo-political zones, focusing only on projects funded and executed directly by state governments. The picture depicts a scenario of dual priorities — modernize the cities, but don’t leave the villages behind.

In North West zone let me begin with Kano state, though I gave brief highlight above. Under urban projects, we have Kano Metro Light Rail, which is ongoing, Kano Metropolis 5km roads in 8 metropolitan LGAs, upgrade, MRI and CT Scan for Muhammadu Buhari Specialist Hospital and Kano City Flyovers, that are 3 at Tal’udu, Dan Agundi and France Road.

Other urban projects in Kano are Urban Water Expansion and upgrade of Challawa and Tamburawa plants upgrade,
and Kano City Beautification with streetlights, parks, drainage and roads.

For rural projects in the same Kano, there are, among others, LGAs 5km roads across 36 rural LGAs, Rural Schools Renovation which included 1,200 primary schools, Solar Boreholes with 1,000 boreholes across rural communities, Rural Hospitals, upgrade of 5 General Hospitals, Agriculture Access Roads with 150km farm roads in 20 LGAs and Rural Electrification of Solar mini-grids in 50 rural communities.

Under Kaduna state the urban projects include Kaduna Light Rail, which is designed and counterpart,
Kaduna Urban Renewal Phase 2 roads and drainage in Kaduna and Zaria, 1000 Housing units, under Urban Mass Housing project, Leah Sharibu Cancer Center, an urban Specialist Hospital, and Urban Bus Terminals of 4 terminals.

For rural projects under Governor Uba Sani, there are Rural Feeder roads of 300km across 23 LGAs, Rural Education with 150 schools built/rehabilitated, 255 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) Revitalization, at 1 per ward, mostly in rural areas, Rural Water that provided 500 handpumps and solar schemes and Kaduna Agricultural Processing Zones under 3 rural clusters.

It is gratifying to note that the North-West is using urban projects to drive commerce, and rural projects to secure food systems. On top of that, Kano state’s model of simultaneous mega urban projects and statewide rural spread is now being studied by other states. How Governor Yusuf excels.

In North East, Borno state urban projects include Maiduguri 120km roads’ reconstruction and flyovers, Borno State University expansion with new Faculties and hostels, Maiduguri Water Works expansion, and Urban Markets, with the reconstruction of Monday market.

Borno’s rural projects include 480km Rural Access roads in 20 LGAs, 10,000 Housing Units built for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in rural LGAs, rebuilt of 15 rural Markets, Rural PHCs where 80 were rebuilt and Irrigation Schemes with 5 rural dams.

In Yobe state under urban projects, we have Damaturu Urban Renewal roads, that include streetlights and drainage and a completed Yobe International Cargo Airport. While under rural projects Yobe can boast of 380km Rural roads that cover 17 LGAs, 178 rural PHCs upgrade, Rural Agric Inputs with Tractors and fertilizer and Solar Streetlights in 10 rural towns.

In North East their main concern is treating infrastructure as a peace-building tool, reconnecting rural communities to urban centres.

Advert

As some states’ major concern is feeder roads construction, upgrade/rehabilitation of PHCs and fertilizer distribution to farmers, of which Kano also considers, but the major concern for Kano is much beyond that. Looking at the nature of Kano’s rural projects and the distribution percentage, one can easily comprehend why the state excels.

Just see the projects distribution of Kano above in the first few paragraphs. As highlighted by the Commissioner for Public Procurement, Projects Monitoring and Evaluation, Comrade Nura Ma’aji Sumaila, in a recent press conference, when he said, “The eight metropolitan LGAs account for approximately N299,36 billion, and 36 rural LGAs account for approximately N287.90 billion, in identifiable single LGA projects.

This demonstrates that the administration’s development agenda extends beyond the metropolitan area and encompasses rural roads, healthcare facilities, schools housing, feeder roads and other essential infrastructure.”

Under North Central, Plateau state’s urban projects include Jos Urban Renewal, Flyovers, Bauchi-Jos dualisation, reconstruction of Jos Main Market and Urban Security Lights. While rural based projects also include a bit over 200 rural Boreholes, 150km Rural Roads at Barikin Ladi, Riyom, Mangu LGAs and rural Agricultural development with Potato value chain centers.

As Niger state can boast of Minna Urban Renewal with Interchanges, drainage and parks, Suleja City roads. As rural projects have 400km Green Economy Farm roads, 100 rural Clinics upgrade and rural Solar Power for 30 rural communities.

For clarity purpose one can say North Central states are treating rural infrastructure as economic infrastructure. As Kano thinks and has many reasons on top of that.

In South Western state of Lagos, urban projects count infrastructure like Lagos Green Line Rail with counterpart funding, Mushin-NNPC-Apapa road, Lagos-Badagry Expressway, Red Line Rail Phase 2 and 2025 Capital, as 70% is urban. Under rural projects there are Ikorodu-Epe-Badagry roads, Rural Health Centers, as10 facilities were upgraded and Rural Jetty Upgrade with 5 riverine jetties.

Another state of South West, Oyo has, as urban based projects, Ibadan Circular road, Section 1, Iwo Road Interchange and Omituntun Bus Terminals 3 terminals in the urban areas. With rural projects like Oyo-Iseyin Road, RAAMP Rural Roads of 200km, upgrade of 100 Rural PHCs and 2025 Capital.

Unlike in many geo-political zones, in South-West state governments use urban revenue to subsidize rural expansion. For Kano similar initiative is visible and welcomed by all. Without any borrowing, either domestic or foreign, Governor Yusuf awarded approximately the sum of N22 billion for prototype mass housing units under the Rural Model City Project, covering all the 36 rural LGAs.

Also the award of another high-value project of approximately N113.19 billion mass housing project at Dawakin Kudu. As both projects are currently awaiting for the establishment of relevant due process procedures.

In Enugu, South Eastern state there are urban projects like, Enugu Smart City roads, Solar Streetlights and Enugu Transport Terminal. As rural projects talk of 260 Smart Green Schools, 100km Rural Roads in 17 LGAs and Rural Water scheme of 150 schemes.

Urban based projects in Ebonyi state have Abakaliki 3 Flyovers, and Abakaliki Ring Road. With Ebonyi Ring road 198km an ongoing, an ongoing Rural Agro roads of 120km and Rural Clinics across 13 LGAs as rural projects.

Delta state from South South has, as urban projects, Warri/Effurun Flyovers, Asaba Urban roads and Urban Drainage systems. As rural projects presented 2025 Rural roads in 25 LGAs, Riverine roads and Jetties and upgrade of 50 Rural PHCs.

Rivers state has the following as urban projects, Port Harcourt Urban Renewal roads and drainage amd Eleme-Onne Road. As rural projects have Bodo-Bonny road with 12 bridges, Rural Electrification, 10 Rural Cottage Hospitals and Rural Water scheme.

Analysis under South-South indicates that geography dictates the project mix — bridges for riverine areas, flyovers for cities. With geography as determining factor in Kano, in a way, “… Kano State government has continued to pursue a broad-based development strategy designed to ensure that government investment is not concentrated solely within the state capital.”

Another interesting thing about the distribution of projects portfolio among urban and rural settlements, is that, it demonstrates investment across all the 44 LGAs, with intervention spanning urban infrastructure, rural development, mass housing, roads, bridges, healthcare, education, climate resilient infrastructure, traffic management and other equally important infrastructure.

Reiterating Governor Yusuf’s commitment to public accountability as a wheel for good governance Comrade Sumaila assured that, “We equally recognize that project delivery is a continuous process and hence, where projects are ongoing, government will continue to monitor implementation, address bottlenecks, strengthen certification processes and ensure that available public resources are deployed responsibly with commensurate value for money.”

Governor Yusuf’s pathway to greater height and to responsible governance maintains that, sustainability of good work with responsive goodwill, leads way to the fast lane of proper and more genuine democracy.

Maintaining the good spirit of Kano state government, Sumaila rejigs that, “Our responsibility is to ensure that every Naira committed to public development is subjected to appropriate procurement procedures, monitoring and accountability. And that projects ultimately deliver tangible value to the good people of Kano state.”

Adieu Governor Yusuf, Adieu!

Anwar writes from Kano
Monday, 17th August, 2026

Continue Reading

Opinion

History Made: Eyamu Oghenenyerovwo Peculiar Emerges as UniAbuja’s First Female SUG President

Published

1 day ago

on

August 16, 2026

By

 

By Asodike Miracle

Eyamu Oghenenyerovwo Peculiar has broken a longstanding leadership barrier at the University of Abuja after emerging as the university’s first female President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG). Her election represents more than a change in student leadership; it signals a new moment for female representation, participation and aspirations within the university community.

The University of Abuja 2025/2026 Students’ Union Government election was conducted on June 30, 2026, through the university’s official digital voting platform on the UniAbuja app. Her victory represents a significant moment in the university’s student leadership history and highlights the growing participation of female students in leadership and decision-making. Peculiar won the election with 4,747 votes, defeating her closest contender, Orelope Abdulbaseet Omobolaji, who polled 4,286 votes. Abubakar Babba Dahiru Babba came third with 1,727 votes.

Eyamu Oghenenyerovwo Peculiar is a 300-level student from the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management. Her manifesto focused on improving academic support, prioritizing student well-being, protecting students fundamental rights within the university system, and promoting a student government that actively listens to and represents all students opinions across various faculties.

Her campaign identity also played a role in communicating her message to the student community. The slogan, “Everything Peculiar, Nothing Is Ordinary,” presented a distinctive campaign identity while positioning her as a candidate offering something different. Her campaign activities, including a jollof festival where meals were distributed to students, also provided opportunities for direct engagement and interaction with the student body.

Advert

Beyond these activities, her campaign mobilized students across different faculties to raise awareness about her candidacy and communicate her vision for the SUG. These efforts demonstrate how campaign communication extends beyond presenting a manifesto; it also involves building visibility, creating connections and making a candidate’s message relatable to the intended audience.

The election’s digital voting process further shaped student participation. Through the UniAbuja app, students were able to cast their votes from their hostels or homes without having to queue at a physical polling point. This reflects the growing role of digital platforms in facilitating participation and connecting students with university processes.

However, the historic victory also comes with expectations. Students will expect the new administration to translate the promises contained in her manifesto into practical initiatives that address academic concerns, welfare, students’ rights and effective representation. As the first female SUG President, she now occupies a symbolic position that carries both opportunity and responsibility. The success of the administration will therefore depend not only on the significance of Peculiar’s emergence but also on how effectively her government communicates with students and responds to their concerns.

This creates a clear relationship between achievement, expectations, performance and reputation. Peculiar’s leadership will be shaped by what her administration does with that opportunity. How effectively it communicates with students, responds to their concerns and delivers on its promises will influence how students assess not only her administration but potentially their perceptions of female leadership within the university.

Reacting to her victory, Peculiar thanked students for believing in her vision , describing her election as a win for every young woman and for leadership built on competence, character and service rather than gender.

Her emergence therefore presents both a breakthrough and a test. It opens a new chapter for female participation in UniAbuja’s student governance while placing greater attention on the responsibilities that accompany leadership. The lasting significance of her election will ultimately be determined not only by being the first female SUG President, but by the quality, responsiveness and accountability of the leadership that follows.

Continue Reading

Opinion

Scholarship or Trap? Why Northern Nigerian Youth Must Verify Foreign Opportunities

Published

2 days ago

on

August 16, 2026

By

 

By Alhassan Bala

Hundreds of young Nigerians, including students and graduates from northern Nigeria, have benefited from legitimate scholarships and educational opportunities offered by foreign governments and institutions. Such programmes can open doors to quality education, professional development and international exposure.

However, the growing use of social media to advertise scholarships, jobs and training opportunities abroad also presents serious risks.

Some seemingly attractive offers may be fraudulent, exploitative or even serve as channels for human trafficking and forced recruitment.

This is why young Nigerians must exercise extreme caution before accepting foreign scholarships or employment opportunities promoted online.

Recently, I came across a northern Nigerian professor working outside the country advising Nigerians, particularly young people from the North, to take advantage of a scholarship opportunity reportedly being promoted by educators he knows in Russia.

I have enormous respect for the professor, as I do for many academics who genuinely want to help young Nigerians access opportunities abroad.

Nevertheless, his recommendation reminded me of the disturbing experience surrounding the Alabuga recruitment programme in Russia and the need for prospective applicants to verify such offers independently before travelling.

The Alabuga warning,
For those unfamiliar with the Alabuga controversy, the programme began attracting young Africans through online advertisements offering employment, vocational training and what was presented in some cases as educational opportunities in Russia.

Investigations by international and Nigerian media later raised serious concerns about the programme.

Young Africans, including Nigerians, were recruited through social media and other online channels and taken to Russia.

Reports indicated that some participants who expected education or employment opportunities ended up working in facilities associated with the production of drones used by Russia in its war against Ukraine.

The Nigerian Ministry of Education subsequently said its website had been compromised and that advertisements for the controversial Alabuga Start programme had been posted without official authorisation.

Officials also stressed that the programme was not part of Nigeria’s approved bilateral scholarship arrangements with Russia.

The episode should have taught Nigerians an important lesson: the appearance of government endorsement, the involvement of a university professor or the presence of an attractive scholarship advertisement on social media does not, by itself, establish that an opportunity is genuine or safe.

From scholarships to the battlefield.

There is an even more disturbing dimension to the growing concern over recruitment of Africans to Russia.

In recent years, reports have emerged of Africans travelling to Russia after being promised civilian employment, only to find themselves recruited into the Russian military and deployed to the war in Ukraine.

In February 2026, the Russian ambassador to Nigeria, Andrey Podyelyshev, denied that Moscow operated any government-supported programme to recruit Nigerians to fight in Ukraine.

Advert

He said that if illegal individuals or organisations were recruiting Nigerians unlawfully, such activities were not connected to the Russian state.

Despite the denial, investigations and reports have documented cases involving Nigerians and other Africans who allegedly travelled to Russia believing they were taking up civilian jobs before being sent to the battlefield. In one widely reported Nigerian case, Adam Anas and other Nigerians were recruited under the guise of security employment and subsequently deployed to fight in Ukraine.

The cases are not limited to Nigeria. In March 2026, the Association of Nigerien Students in Russia announced the death of Abdoulaye Issaka Ismael, a Nigerien master’s student who, according to the student organisation, had been recruited into Russian combat forces and deployed to the frontline in Ukraine.

Ghana has also reported serious losses. Its Foreign Minister disclosed in February 2026 that 55 Ghanaians had died after being lured into fighting in the Ukraine war, while hundreds more were believed to have joined the Russian military.

These cases demonstrate that the danger is not merely theoretical.

The lesson for young Nigerians, especially those desperately seeking educational or employment opportunities abroad, is straightforward: verify before you travel.

Anyone offered a scholarship in Russia or any other foreign country should first establish whether the programme is officially recognised by the Nigerian government and the government of the destination country.

Applicants should independently contact the Federal Ministry of Education, the Federal Scholarship Board, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the relevant embassy or high commission before committing money, submitting sensitive documents or travelling.

They should also verify the name of the university, its accreditation, the exact course of study, the physical location of the institution, the identity of the sponsoring organisation and the legal status of whoever is recruiting them.

Most importantly, prospective applicants should be suspicious of opportunities that are promoted exclusively through WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, TikTok or other social media platforms, particularly when recruiters pressure applicants to travel quickly or discourage them from contacting government authorities.

A genuine scholarship should withstand scrutiny.

Northern Nigeria has millions of young people searching for education, employment and opportunities to improve their lives.

That makes the region particularly vulnerable to individuals who exploit unemployment and economic hardship with promises of quick opportunities abroad.

Professors, academics, journalists, community leaders and other influential Nigerians therefore have a special responsibility when sharing foreign opportunities.

Before recommending a scholarship or job to young people, they should verify it through official channels and make the evidence available to prospective applicants.

A recommendation from a respected professor can give an opportunity credibility that it may not deserve. If the opportunity later turns out to be fraudulent, the consequences may be devastating.

The Nigerian government also needs to do more.
Government agencies responsible for education, foreign affairs, Nigeria Immigration Service, labour and youth development should maintain accessible, regularly updated databases of approved foreign scholarships and legitimate overseas recruitment programmes.

They should also promptly alert Nigerians whenever questionable opportunities emerge online.

The Alabuga experience showed how easily a dubious programme could acquire an appearance of legitimacy when its advertisements appeared on an official government website.

The subsequent reports about Africans being deceived into military service demonstrate the potentially fatal consequences of inadequate verification and oversight.

Young Nigerians deserve opportunities, but they also deserve protection.

A scholarship should lead to a classroom, laboratory or recognised institution not a factory where they are exploited, and certainly not a battlefield.

For young Nigerians seeking opportunities abroad, the safest rule is simple: do not trust an opportunity because it looks attractive; verify it because your life may depend on it.

Alhassan Bala, wrote this piece from Abuja

Continue Reading

Trending