Living in a country filled with uncertainties is a precarious endeavor. Making predictions about the future in this nation is no easy task. Our thoughts, ambitions, and hopes constantly evolve. I am brimming with dreams of self-improvement and the betterment of others. However, the narrative is increasingly changing, and hopes and dreams are deteriorating. This decline can be attributed to the negligence and lack of attention to education in the North.Nevertheless, it’s well-recognized that in order to promote sustainable development and peace, a solid educational foundation is essential.
The North stands as the most populous yet illiterate region in Nigeria. School participation remains a significant challenge, and this issue is particularly acute in the northern states such as Kano, Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, and more. This problem continues to escalate, highlighting the failure of the government to prioritize education and the inadequacy of public sector advisory members.
Government offices are dominated by unquestioning loyalties, especially in the North. The prevalence of “yes men” results in inefficient and less beneficial services to the general public. Many of our politicians, appointed officials, and elected officers surround themselves with absolute loyalists instead of individuals with the ability to foresee future challenges and offer necessary solutions.
In numerous northern states, over 67% of youths have lost interest in education due to economic hardships and the high cost of education. This poses a severe and pervasive challenge in the coming years. Furthermore, those students who drop out of school due to financial constraints or with the intention of starting a business face capital issues, which can lead them into antisocial behaviors for personal gain.
Starting a business now demands a substantial amount of capital compared to previous years, and the cost of education has also risen. Meanwhile, the government has failed to provide youths with adequate financial support for entrepreneurship or to make education affordable for both the privileged and the underprivileged. This has resulted in an increase in criminal activities and a growing number of criminals in society, with issues like banditry, burglary, and kidnapping becoming prevalent in the North.
I am now convinced that the North will continue to lag behind the South in terms of progress and peaceful living. This is primarily because illiteracy is deeply entrenched, and its consequences are alarming. A comparison of these regions undeniably reveals that the North is plagued by illiteracy, stemming from the negligence and resistance to Western education by our parents. We have been left behind, and we will remain so unless northern leaders rectify these issues
