Nigerian education horrifying, country in serious trouble – Soyinka

Nobel laurete, Prof Wole Soyinka, has described the state of education in the country as horrifying, saying Nigeria is in trouble.

The prolific playwright spoke on Sunday at the University of Lagos, Akoka, during the presentation of a play, ‘Folly of Men.’

The play was an adaptation of three plays: Wole Soyinka’s ‘Trial of Brother Jero;’ Femi Osofisan’s ‘No More the Wasted Breed;’ and Bode Sowande’s ‘Mamiwater’s Wedding.’

The event was part of activities commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Government College, Ibadan.

Soyinka, Osofisan and Sowande, who were old students of the college, were presented with different awards, along with Dr Christopher Kolade, and the late T.M. Aluko.

Soyinka, while fielding questions from journalists, commended the GCI Old Boys Association for organising the programme.

He said the country’s education was nothing to write home about.

“We are in serious trouble, education wise in this country. Let me not kid you; it’s horrifying. That was why I was happy about the initiative of creating a model school and trying to resurrect this Government College and present it as the ideal. We are really very low, education wise.

“I have learnt how much they (old students association) have done in the last few days and I am very proud of their work. I just hope the government leaves them alone; don’t interfere with them. Let them bring back to everybody’s mind the possibility of what education can be,” the renowned writer said.

Osofisan noted that government needed to invest more in education, adding that infrastructure and teachers’ salaries should be improved.

– Punch