Nigerian children are perhaps the most beautiful and happiest beings you will ever find in the world. It is truly fascinating to watch them—always clean, carefully having fun, and running around the streets. Whether they are dressed in the fanciest clothing or not, and regardless of whether their environment is traditionally beautiful or starkly poor, you will always find one thing: a smile.
This joy stems from a profound innocence—a lack of realization of the complexities swirling around them. They are comfortable in their own skin, radiating a natural warmth regardless of where they find themselves. Yet, as noted in recent UNICEF reports on children at a crossroads, millions are still being left behind despite their vibrant spirit. Beneath this happiness lies a series of factors that lead to their eventual struggles.
A Tale of Two Worlds: The Education Battlefield
Education in Nigeria is more than just a sector; it is the battlefield where the future of the Nigerian child is either forged or forgotten. While the value of a degree has shifted in today’s global job market, education remains the pivotal gateway to exposure and understanding the evolving world. Unfortunately, for the average Nigerian child, this gateway is being systematically barred.
Nigeria operates a tiered system that determines a child's future based on their parent's bank account. This crisis is well-documented, with experts frequently discussing why the system is failing and how to fix it. On one hand, we have Public Schools where funds meant for infrastructure and teacher salaries are frequently embezzled, leaving children without the tools to compete globally.
On the other hand, the Private Sector is divided by financial capacity. We have schools where fees range from the equivalent of an annual salary for a mid-level worker, paid three times a year. If you can pay through your nose, your child gets an "International Standard" education. If you are poor, you are left with crumbling walls or low-cost private alternatives that still stretch the family budget to its breaking point.
The Invisible Scars of Insecurity
Beyond the classroom, the Nigerian child faces a psychological war. Kidnapping, violence, and high crime rates have left deep impressions that last a lifetime. These regional risks and safety concerns are no longer news, but their impact on a child's psyche is often ignored.
From girls being kidnapped from schools to children growing up in homes filled with violence, there is often no "government parent" to call. When a child speaks up, they are frequently met with a culture that blames the victim rather than protecting the vulnerable.
Beyond Textbooks: The Need for Vocational Infrastructure
Not every child is built for a traditional classroom. We lack the infrastructure to help children pivot toward their natural talents. Currently, the narrative is binary: either you excel in school or you are labeled a failure.
While the capitalist mindset has allowed some to learn trades like carpentry or electrical work, these aren't integrated into a formal system. The government needs to bridge the gap between vocational training and the working sector, ensuring that every child—regardless of their academic leaning—has a path to success.
Poverty: The Hunger Factor
Poverty in Nigeria is a major disaster affecting the mental state, the food on the table, and the mindset of the youth. When you are hungry now, you aren't thinking about a career in the future.
The "Robot" Programming: A Parental Failure
Perhaps the most silent crushing of dreams happens at home. Many Nigerian parents have made it impossible for their children to dream for themselves. They view professional jobs—Doctor, Engineer, Architect, Banker—as the only gateways to success.
Children are treated like robots to be programmed. When a child fails at a path they never chose, the parents cry: "I gave you everything, yet you failed." They fail to see that they killed the light in that child by forcing them to walk a vision that wasn't theirs.
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