🇳🇬 Nigeria’s Education Crisis: Outdated Curriculum, Underequipped Teachers, and the Digital Literacy Gap

The Reality We Must Face

The current educational system is failing — whether we choose to admit it or not.

From primary to tertiary levels, the gap is widening. A 2023 report by Peoples Gazette Nigeria stated that “85% of Nigerian graduates have no digital skills.” Imagine that.

And yes — that was two years ago. Things have shifted a little since then, thanks to interventions like the government’s 3MTT initiative and other public-private programs. But let’s be honest: Is it enough?

I don’t think so.

Instead of equipping students with relevant skills, it often feels like schools are just places where students go to pass time and waste money. Some students manage to think beyond the system and innovate their way out — and that’s admirable.

But what about the ones who can’t?

What about the students who need more attention, more support, more guidance?

Do we just neglect them? Is that how we grow a nation?

These youths are our future — and we’re failing them.

When Teachers Can’t Teach Tech

This is not just a student problem — it’s systemic. A significant number of teachers still do not possess the ICT skills required to teach 21st-century learners.

Worse still, the few who are better equipped are often out of touch or outdated in their methods.

Let’s not forget — these teachers were once our youth.

So ask yourself: Are today’s youth being prepared to become tomorrow’s teachers who will also lack digital literacy?

If so, we’re simply recycling the same failure.

The same system.

The same neglect.

Stuck on the Treadmill of Irrelevance

One of the biggest consequences of this skill gap is that our education is far too theoretical, with little or no practical training in digital tools and applications.

Even when students are given practical assignments, many are sent off into the field without adequate preparation or mentorship.

Why?

Is it to “toughen them up”? To teach them independence?

Sure, some will thrive in that kind of environment.

But what about the rest?

What about those who actually need to be guided?

This isn’t “tough love.”

This is neglect.

This is irresponsibility.

And quite frankly — this is shameful.

A big shame.

This is what has become of the so-called Giant of Africa.

Here’s the kicker: most students — after paying fees they can barely afford — still have to seek extra training outside of school just to become job-ready.

They chase scholarships like hungry wolves, scraping for knowledge that should have been foundational.

And guess what? Time is running out. As they struggle to learn the basic things, the world continues to evolve.

So they're stuck running on a fast-moving treadmill, running as fast as they can but not fast enough to outrun the treadmill.
Hence, they stay on the same spot, moving yet not moving at the same time.

The Path Forward Must Be Urgent

I commend the government for creating initiatives like 3MTT. There are also incredible local interventions, as shown in a recent article by Prime Progress NG, which highlighted grassroots efforts to close the education gap.

That’s commendable.

But we need more — and we need it urgently.

This cannot be done by government alone.

We need public-private partnerships.

We need modern teacher training.

We need curriculums that evolve with the world.

We need real urgency — not pilot programs that fizzle out.

The future is not tomorrow. The future is today.
The future is the youth. The future is us.
Don’t let us fall.

📚 Further Reading

• Peoples Gazette Nigeria (2023) – “85% of Nigerian Graduates Lack Digital Skills”👉🏾 https://gazettengr.com/85-of-nigerian-graduates-have-no-digital-skills-report/
• Prime Progress NG – “Local interventions are closing the digital gap in Nigeria’s education system”👉🏾 https://primeprogressng.com/education-stories/local-interventions-are-closing-the-digital-gap-in-nigerias-education-system/