Nigeria does not have a problem of unemployment but.....-Dr. Yemi-Esan

 

The Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Omlara Yemi-Esan has declared that the foundation of economic growth lies in the quality of products of educational institutions in Nigeria.

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Dr. Yemi Esan made this declaration on Tuesday at the 2023 convocation lecture of the University of Ibadan titled Promoting the Culture of Meritocracy: A Panacea for National Development in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria.

''We don't have a problem of unemployment, but most of our graduates are unemployable. The foundation of economic growth is from the students we produce. I know the University of Ibadan has maintained a high standard of meritocracy, past and present. But our educational system is bedeviled with a lot of problems: sex-for-marks, project mercenaries, and decaying infrastructure.''

''For the nation to produce the best brains, it is important for preference to be given to the most qualified. The Nigerian educational system should reflect quality and competence. Meritocracy is the distinctive factor between developed and underdeveloped countries. Additionally, a country that is governed by the best and the brightest has a higher rate of economic growth than those that do not. In Africa, we are yet to imbibe the culture of meritocracy and if we have, it has not been documented. In countries where promotions are politicized, civil servants focus on pleasing superiors. We are working with the Federal Civil Service Commission to reinstate examination before employment. The fact that there are no examinations has taken a toll on the civil service. Examinations bring out the best. We are committed to changing the narrative of who knows who. I always believe in doing things on merit,'' the Head of Service concluded.