by Prof. Ikechi Mgbeoji
Abia State has in the past three (3) consecutive years ranked number one (1) in WAEC/GCE results in Nigeria. The latest WAEC/GCE results released last week placed Abia State again as number one. Every year, thousands of Abians fan out to the ends of the world in search of tertiary education. In Nigeria, there is no tertiary institution without an Abia indigene struggling to gain admission. Why do Abians suffer disproportionately to gain access to tertiary education in Nigeria despite their stellar performance in WAEC/GCE?
The Federal Government guidelines for admissions into its institutions of higher learning are based on 45% Merit, 35% Catchment/Locality and 20% Educationally Less Developed States.
The following states are considered Educationally Less Developed or Disadvantaged States (ELDS):
Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Ebonyi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Nassarawa, Niger, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara. Candidates from these states are given special concession for admission in Federal Educational institutions.
Any analysis of federal educational infrastructural interventions in the so called ELDS shows clearly that Abia State is worse than any of the States considered as Educationally Less Developed or Disadvantaged. In terms of federal government intervention in development of tertiary education in Nigeria, ABIA STATE is the most disadvantaged of ALL states in Nigeria.
Consider these facts: Abia State has-
No Federal Conventional University
No Federal College of Education
No Federal Polytechnic
No Federal Teaching Hospital
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike although located in Abia State is the only federal government-owned tertiary educational institution in Abia State and just one of the three Universities of Agriculture in the country. This university is for the whole former Eastern Region and worse still, it has the whole of the country as its catchment area. As a specialized university, its mandate is also narrow. Just recently, the university was given specific directive to focus ONLY on the training of farmers. This means that thousands of Abians with stellar WAEC/GCE results would not have the opportunity to be trained as medical doctors, lawyers, pharmacist, et cetera at the university.
When compared to states in the same geopolitical zone with Abia State, the injustice is manifestly unbearable. Consider these facts:
(1) Ebonyi State (an ELDS) (4 tertiary institutions established by the Federal Government)
a. Federal (Conventional) University Ndufe Alike, Ikwo
b. Federal (Conventional) Polytechnic Akanu Ibiam
Federal Polytechnic, Uwana-Afikpo
c. Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki
d. Federal College of Agriculture, Isiagu
(2) Anambra State (4 tertiary institutions established by the Federal Government)
a. Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka
b. Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State
c. Federal Teaching Hospital Nnewi
d. Federal College of Education, Umunze
(3) Enugu State (5 tertiary institutions established by the Federal Government)
a. University of Nigeria (Nsukka and Enugu Campuses)
b. Federal Teaching Hospital, Ituku Ozalla
c. Federal College of Education, Eheamufu
d. Federal School of Health Technology
e. Federal School of Dental Technology Enugu
(4) Imo State (4 tertiary institutions established by the Federal Government)
a. Federal University of Technology, Owerri
b. Federal College of Land Resources Technology, Owerri
c. Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri
d. Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri
(5) Adamawa State (an ELDS)
a. Modibbo Adamu University of Technology, Yola
b. Federal Polytechnic Mubi
c. Adamawa State University Mubi
d. Adamawa State Polytechnic, Yola
(6) Akwa-Ibom State
a. University of Uyo
b. Federal Teaching Hospital, Uyo
Bauchi State (an ELDS) has 3, Bayelsa State (another ELDS) has 3, Benue state (an ELDS), has 2, Borno State(an ELDS) has 3, Cross-river State (an ELDS) has 2, Delta State has 4.
Therefore, on the bases of equity, justice, fairness, and NECESSITY, Abia State deserves at least, TWO (2) new tertiary academic institutions established by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Further, Abia State is the ONLY state in the Niger Delta without a FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC. All other oil-producing states have at least one Federal Polytechnic. Despite the fact that the restiveness associated with the Niger Delta is absent in Abia State, it is difficult to comprehend why the Federal Government has not established a Federal Polytechnic in the oil-producing LGAs of Abia State.
Furthermore, Aba in Abia State is the SME capital of Africa. The need for a Federal Polytechnic to train technical and skilled manpower who will support, add value to the SME industries in the state cannot be over-emphasised.
The government and people of Abia State therefore respectfully but firmly demand that the Federal Government of Nigeria should as a matter of urgency, fairness, justice, and necessity establish at least:
1. One full fledged university. The proposed university should, preferably be located at the current site of the National Institute of Nigerian Languages (NILAN). NILAN, currently affiliated to the University of Uyo, can be affiliated to the proposed new university. NILAN is not a degree-awarding institution but currently sits on a large expanse of land measuring more than five (5) square kilometres;
2. One Federal Polytechnic in the oil-producing LGA of Ukwa West. The proposed new polytechnic would go a long way in supporting the industrial, manufacturing and artisanal capacities for which Aba area is renowned across the world.
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