EbonyHerald Stores Ebony Herald News24
REWARDING MEDIOCRITY OVER EXCELLENCE
At the recently concluded 29th/30th Convocation Ceremony of the University of Uyo, two brilliant minds, Etim Charles and Toroabasi Jeremiah, were celebrated for their academic excellence. With a stellar CGPA of 4.82 in Computer and Mechanical Engineering, they emerged as the overall best-graduating students. Their reward? A mere ₦30,000 each.
Contrast this with the grand prize awarded to some irrelevant entertainers, like the winner of Big Brother Nigeria (BBN) Season 9, who walked away with ₦100 million for emerging victorious in a reality TV show. This glaring disparity between the rewards for intellectual achievement and entertainment should alarm every Nigerian who values education and the future of our youth. But this issue is not limited to Big Brother Nigeria alone. Across various sectors, athletes, entertainers, and social media influencers are celebrated and rewarded far more than those who contribute to technology, research, and national development.
The ₦30,000 benchmark for best-graduating students has been in place in the Uyo University for over 15 years, untouched by inflation, economic realities, or the rising cost of living. What does this token gesture say to the youth of our nation? That academic excellence is worth less than a week’s meals? That our brightest minds are less valuable than reality TV entertainers and other public figures? Such a situation is not only shameful but also a mockery of the very foundation of our educational system. It sends a dangerous message to students: why strive for academic excellence when mediocrity in other areas is more richly rewarded?
This misplaced prioritization is one reason many Nigerian students have shifted their focus away from education. With minimal rewards for academic excellence and an education system riddled with challenges, students are drawn to pursuits that promise quicker and more substantial rewards. As a result, Nigeria is increasingly unproductive in the areas of technology, research, and innovation. Instead of producing scientists, engineers, and inventors who can solve the nation’s challenges, we are churning out entertainers and influencers.
The Nigerian educational system is grappling with numerous challenges—underfunding, brain drain, dilapidated infrastructure, and a lack of motivation for both students and educators. As we are failing to appropriately reward academic excellence, we are further demoralizing young minds who might otherwise contribute significantly to the nation’s growth and development.
Graduates like Etim Charles and Toroabasi Jeremiah have the potential to develop groundbreaking technologies, create jobs, and solve critical challenges in fields such as engineering, medicine, and technology. Yet, by undervaluing them, we are undermining the future of the nation. Instead of promoting a culture of innovation, we are teaching our youth that intellectual rigor is futile.
The University of Uyo and other academic institutions must revisit this outdated reward system. Corporate bodies, government agencies, and philanthropic organizations must also step in to sponsor meaningful prizes for outstanding graduates. A reward that reflects the value of their efforts will not only inspire students to aim higher but will also show that as a nation, we prioritize intellectual achievement over transient entertainment.
Moreover, the government must create policies that emphasize the importance of education and innovation. Scholarships, grants, and recognition programs should be established to encourage excellence and provide opportunities for young minds to thrive.
While entertainment has its place, it is unacceptable for our society to prioritize it over education and innovation. If we continue along this path, we risk becoming a nation that prioritizes short-term amusement over long-term development. This is not just about Big Brother Nigeria; it is about our collective values as a society. Are we willing to invest in the future or remain stuck in a cycle of unproductivity and misplaced priorities?
This is a wake-up call. It is time for Nigerians to demand better from our institutions and leaders. Rewarding excellence in education should not just be a token gesture; it should be a national priority. Only then can we build a future where young people are inspired to learn, innovate, and lead. Let us act now before it is too late. I speak with no grudges, it is part of my effort to creating a better future for all.
Eugene Nanven Writes from Abuja FCT Nigeria
