Nigeria’s education sector has been in the spotlight following recent policy shifts and revelations of corruption in teacher recruitment. The federal government’s proposal to transition from the 9-3-4 system to a 12-4 model has sparked discussions about the future of education in the country. At the same time, a shocking discovery in Nasarawa State has raised serious concerns about recruitment fraud, teacher qualification, and resource allocation in public schools.
The Proposed Shift to a 12-4 Education Model
Currently, Nigeria operates a 9-3-4 education system, which consists of nine years of basic education (six years of primary and three years of junior secondary), three years of senior secondary education, and four years of tertiary education. The newly proposed 12-4 model aims to extend basic education to 12 years, followed by four years of tertiary education.
According to the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, this change is meant to standardize Nigeria’s education system with global practices and ensure that students are adequately prepared for higher learning. The proposal also addresses concerns about the readiness of young students entering university, as the current policy mandates a minimum age of 16 for admission into tertiary institutions. Critics, however, argue that an extended education cycle must be backed by improved infrastructure, teacher quality, and learning materials to be truly effective.
Recruitment Scandal: 2,277 Teachers Employed Illegally in Nasarawa State
While the federal government pushes for educational reforms, the Nasarawa State government recently uncovered a major recruitment scandal that could undermine the integrity of its school system. An investigative committee, set up to scrutinize the recruitment of teachers across the state’s 13 local government areas, found that the Teachers’ Service Commission (TSC) had illegally employed 2,277 teachers beyond the approved quota of 1,000.
Governor Abdullahi Sule, upon receiving the committee’s report, condemned the actions of the suspended TSC officials, stating that they had “not been fair to the state” and had disregarded proper recruitment processes. According to the report, some officials engaged in fraudulent practices, including demanding bribes ranging from N500,000 to N700,000 from applicants in exchange for employment.
“These people, we would report them to the security agencies because this is beyond administration. The aspect of them collecting money from people, I don’t even have the power to handle that,” Governor Sule said, emphasizing the need for justice for affected applicants who were forced to pay for their jobs.
The Impact on Education Quality in Nasarawa State
Beyond the financial fraud, the committee found that the recruitment process did not prioritize merit or the needs of the school system. The overemployment of teachers led to a situation where some schools were assigned excessive staff, while others remained understaffed.
Governor Sule expressed deep concern over the long-term impact of such unethical practices on the quality of education. “When you come to the standard of education in Nigeria, Nasarawa State is often listed among the least performing states. With this kind of malpractice, we are not far from where we used to be,” he lamented.
The Governor has since announced plans to pay the salaries of the illegally recruited teachers but terminate their appointments afterward. Additionally, he hinted at the possibility of conducting a fresh selection process for all 3,277 recruited teachers to ensure that only the most qualified 1,000 candidates are retained.
A Broader Issue in Nigeria’s Education Sector
The Nasarawa recruitment scandal is not an isolated incident. Across Nigeria, teacher recruitment and education sector management have been plagued by corruption, political interference, and inadequate regulatory oversight. According to data from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), over 40% of primary school teachers in Nigeria lack the necessary teaching qualifications. This has resulted in poor student performance, with literacy and numeracy levels remaining alarmingly low.
For example, in Kano State, a 2022 audit found that over 60% of teachers in public schools did not have the required certifications. Similarly, in Borno State, irregular teacher recruitment has led to a situation where some schools operate with an excess of unqualified staff while others struggle with severe teacher shortages.
The Way Forward
To truly reform Nigeria’s education sector, the government must go beyond structural changes and address the underlying issues of corruption, poor teacher quality, and inadequate learning facilities. Some key steps include:
- Strict Monitoring of Recruitment Processes – Teacher recruitment should be conducted transparently with digital verification systems to prevent fraud.
- Improving Teacher Training Programs – More investment should be made in training and certifying teachers to meet global standards.
- Better Resource Allocation – Schools in rural areas should receive adequate staffing, and postings should be based on actual vacancies.
- Adopting Technology in Education Management – A centralized database for tracking teachers and their qualifications can help eliminate ghost workers and unqualified hires.
- Community Participation – Engaging parents, local education boards, and independent watchdogs can ensure accountability in school administration.
Conclusion
Nigeria stands at a crossroads in its education sector. While the proposed transition to a 12-4 education model presents an opportunity for improvement, its success depends on effective implementation, adequate funding, and strong policies to prevent abuse. Meanwhile, the recruitment scandal in Nasarawa State serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that persist in the system.
As stakeholders continue to push for reforms, one thing remains clear: the future of Nigeria’s children is at stake, and the country cannot afford to compromise on the quality and integrity of its education system. Whether through policy changes or administrative restructuring, the ultimate goal should be to provide students with the skills and knowledge they need to compete in the modern world.
