As a real estate consultant, I’m dedicated to helping others realize their ownership, stability, and success dreams. But outside of my profession, I’m also a father, an uncle, a mentor, and a Nigerian who passionately believes in the potential of our youth to build a brighter future. Every day, I meet people striving for a better life. So when I see a system that dampens the hopes of ambitious young people, I feel compelled to speak out.

Imagine a bright, young student, full of ambition and hope, dedicating years of hard work toward a single dream. Let’s say this student dreams of becoming a doctor—a respected, noble profession. From early on, she works late into the night, pouring over her textbooks, sacrificing time and social life to focus on her studies. Her parents, sharing in her dream, spend hard-earned money on the best education they can afford, enrolling her in schools that specialize in the sciences, all to prepare her for a medical career. She achieves stellar grades, aces her WAEC and NECO exams with distinction, and scores impressively high in her UTME. She’s almost there—at the doorstep of a medical career—until she isn’t. Instead, Nigeria’s university system dashes her dreams, diverting her from her goal, and placing her in a course she never wanted and never imagined she’d be forced to accept.

This is not just one story; this is the heartbreaking reality for countless Nigerian students yearly. It’s not that these students lack talent or dedication—it’s that the system, tragically, lacks the structure to recognize and nurture their dreams. They are forced into courses that neither align with their strengths nor excite their passions. With every year that passes, Nigeria loses potential surgeons, engineers, lawyers, and other highly skilled professionals, all because the educational system fails to align with the aspirations of its youth.

This story is all too familiar, and it recently happened to my niece, Fatimah, a bright young girl who had aspired to become a surgeon. From her early years, she poured her energy into this dream, excelling in her subjects, earning an aggregate of 278 in UTME, and clearing her post-UTME with a commendable score. Yet, when the moment arrived, her dream was taken from her. Instead of medicine, she was offered admission into microbiology, a course she had never considered, let alone wanted. All her years of dedication felt meaningless instantlyt, leaving her heartbroken and demoralized.

This is the story of thousands if not millions of talented students across Nigeria. Students who, like Fatimah, my niece, have poured their hearts into their dreams only to see them crushed. For many families, waiting another year isn’t an option. They cannot afford the cost or the heartbreak of risking another failed application. So, these students reluctantly take the courses assigned to them, bearing the weight of disappointment that follows them into their unchosen careers. Imagine the mental toll this takes on Nigeria’s youth: young minds demotivated, unproductive, and resentful toward a system that betrayed their ambition.

The Emotional Toll of a Broken System

Imagine the devastation of a student who, after years of preparation and hard work, is redirected from medicine to a less competitive course like Microbiology or,, Physical Education. The psychological toll of this setback is enormous. Parents who have poured their finances, support, and trust into their child’s dream must now cope with the loss, as they watch their child’s passion diminish. The student, once motivated and full of life, may become unproductive, disillusioned, and detached from their studies, knowing they will never fulfil the dream they worked so hard to achieve. These emotions often have lasting effects, leading to disengagement from their education and future careers. These are not just emotional; these are dreams deferred, talents wasted, and lives re-routed onto paths of disinterest and disappointment.

 A Tale of Two Systems: China vs. Nigeria

While countries like China are investing heavily in expanding the capacities of their educational institutions, accommodating the ambitions of millions, and nurturing specific talents, Nigeria seems to be doing the opposite. China’s educational reforms are geared towards maximizing the potential of each student, ensuring that every young person has the resources and support to pursue their chosen field. In contrast, Nigeria, with its limited capacity and rigid bureaucratic hurdles, funnels bright minds away from their chosen paths, often forcing them into courses that are either overcrowded or misaligned with their talents and ambitions.

China’s education system, places a premium on nurturing students’ abilities and supporting their chosen career paths. The government invests heavily in infrastructure, and universities continually expand their capacity to ensure that each student can study a field that aligns with their skills and interests. The system in China, therefore, does not simply “produce” graduates—it develops professionals, innovators, and skilled individuals who are equipped to advance their economy.

Nigeria, however, fails to accommodate the dreams of its youth. Despite the impressive qualifications of its students, Nigerian universities’ limited capacity and restrictive admission policies often prevent students from pursuing careers in fields like medicine, engineering, or law. This lack of accommodation is one of the starkest contrasts between Nigeria and countries like China, where the entire educational pipeline is aligned toward supporting individual and national aspirations.

The High Price of Talent Suppression

The current state of Nigeria’s education system does not just impact individual lives—it affects the entire nation’s development. Each dream is unfulfilled, each talent is suppressed, which translates to a loss of potential and productivity. Nigeria, a nation rich in human and natural resources, continues to face economic setbacks largely due to the loss of potential skilled professionals. The ripple effect is far-reaching: as the education system stifles ambition, the healthcare sector lacks doctors, the engineering sector misses skilled talent, and the legal system is deprived of passionate young advocates.

Where Do We Go From Here?

It’s time to reconsider the way Nigeria’s education system operates. Expanding the capacity of universities, diversifying the courses on offer, and prioritizing student choice are crucial steps toward creating an environment where Nigerian youth can pursue their dreams. This would not only boost the productivity and happiness of individuals but also set the foundation for a more prosperous Nigeria, where talent is cultivated rather than crushed.

What do you think about Nigeria’s education system? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!

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Written By: Mallam Bashir Ademola Yusuf

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