Egwuje Dorcas
It is no longer news that the Nigeria’s educational system with its various anomalies just shun out graduates in their thousands with “certificates” and no place in the labour market to fix them, but one would wonder, why would one pay heavily to go through school and at the end, no plan by the government to make one gainfully employed thereafter. Or is it that people especially Nigerian your just go to school only for the certificates?
Analysts have described the unemployment, harsh economic realities and the surging inflation currently bedeviling Nigeria as the major reason many Nigerian youths have resorted to seeking quick fame and fortune in the entertainment industry.
Research indicates that over 40% of Nigerian youths in the job market have dumped their professions to seek wealth on social media and most recently, in reality, television shows.
One could argue that the trend of young professionals choosing entertainment over professional careers is a reflection of Nigeria’s growth in that sector, unfortunately, many do not agree with this opinion.
They insist Nigerian youths run to entertainment because of unemployment, poverty and economic challenges.
Winners in educational competitions in Nigeria have been poorly rewarded, compared with those in entertainment competitions. Entertainment competitions receive more coverage, attention and sponsorship while participants of educational contests languish in misery.
As the Big Brother Naija reality TV show, is currently ongoing with a N120million grand prize for the winner, many Nigerians have asked why the attention given to the entertainment sector by government, brands and individuals is not extended to the education sector. Some educationists have asked why such huge sums of money are not channelled to the educational sector or used to fund the various innovations by students in secondary and tertiary schools.
Moreso, the best student in the just concluded west African senior school certificate Examination ( WASSCE) was awarded with just N2million Naira, while the best graduating student in the higher institution was given N5million Naira.
But the entertainment sector is said to be the second-highest employer in Nigeria after agriculture, assimilating over 60% of Nigerian youths who studied Performing Arts or other disciplines.
A case in study is the Big Brother Naija show which parades young professionals, doctors, lawyers, teachers and scientists who acquired their degrees from various reputable institutions across the world.
While many claim the show is not the best example of morality for young Nigerians, others insist the over ninety days production, employs a vast majority of professionals in cinematography, thereby reducing the rate of unemployment by fractions.
Contestants who made it into Big Brother’s House this season, is a lawyer, a medical doctor, a professional basketball player, a secondary school teacher, actors, musicians, fashion designers and undergraduates.
These young professionals chose to abandon careers in their fields of study for the reality show in search of a better life for themselves.
This contestants peculiar situation is one reason analysts say bad leadership, resulting in very harsh economic situations and unimaginable rates of joblessness for graduates have pushed youths into reality TV shows.
Some of the housemates say they are in the show to promote themselves, become popular and secure their future, claiming their university degrees cannot afford them such opportunities.
Barring one’s liberty to change career paths, many believe Nigeria’s socio-economic problems and desire for quick wealth are the driving forces behind these switches.
Christy Atuegwu, a female lawyer, who reacted to Jumoke’ decision said she was disappointed to hear that a young lady chose reality TV over her call to bar after six years of study.
”One wonders what message this comment you say she made sends to younger folks who are aspiring to be in the law profession”, Christy said.
”It says a lot about Nigeria and our priorities” She maintained.
An education expert, Innocent Chukwuma, said the Nigerian system forced the professionals into entertainment, a life path they would not have chosen if the country was any better.
The trend had started encouraging more students to focus on becoming entertainment stars instead of striving to become academic geniuses who stand a better chance of contributing to the development of the country.
“Quite a number of students tend to get more involved in being musicians or entertainment celebs rather than academic genius because they know you get faster reward being a player in the entertainment sector than working towards being great intellectuals, which takes more time, which is more demanding but serves the society better,” he added while calling on major stakeholders, including religious bodies, corporate organisations and the family to reverse the trend.