If education were a child, it would have been the favourite and definitely loved by all. This is because education is often the first dream a family has planned for a child.
This can be seen in the smallest things, such as carefully selecting a uniform so it lasts another term, sharing textbooks with siblings to save costs, and doing school runs by waking up before dawn to prepare the children for school, avoiding traffic or long taking walks to school. In fact, for many families in Nigeria, education is not taken lightly. It is hope wrapped in sacrifice.
I have discovered something; most Nigerian students do not just “go to school.” They go through a lot in school, studying during power outages, revising notes while helping at home, and even carrying expectations much bigger than their age.
So, you understand me now when I state that education, for many, is the promise that things can be better if we endure situations that tend to contend with our academic goals.
In most cases, one child’s education is the education of the entire family. Why? Because parents’ incomes are stretched, especially parents who didn’t see the four walls of a school. Guardians make quiet sacrifices. Even older siblings step in. Everyone plays a part because success is never seen as individual; it is shared.
This is why when a student drops out of school, it hurts deeply. It doesn’t just pause a student’s journey; it pauses a family’s hope. Imagine that!
Silent Struggles Students Do Not Talk About
Most students who sit in classrooms worry more about school fees than the exams they’re to write. There are stories of students who skip meals just to afford transport, others miss their classes because they are working part-time or helping out at home. Yet, they still show up. These are not stories of weakness, stories of resilience. Education in Nigeria: a story being Retold today.
Do you know that despite everything, Education Still Matters?
In spite of the challenges earlier mentioned, education remains one of the strongest tools for dramatic change in Nigeria. It opens doors to opportunities. It is a process where confidence replaces doubt. It literally gives you wings to fly.
But education doesn’t always guarantee success you know. It expands possibilities, teaching people how to think, adapt, and grow. And in a country filled with potential, that matters deeply.
It just takes one opportunity, support, or encouragement, a scholarship, or a mentor to change a student’s story sometimes. One “yes” can turn years of struggle into momentum.
Now we come to why educational support matters. It is not about charity; it is about believing in potential that already exists. You can sponsor someone using a scholarship.
Are you struggling but still pushing no matter the challenges? Your effort matters. Are you supporting a student whether financially, emotionally, or otherwise? You are changing a life. Do you believe in education? Then you believe in Nigeria’s future. Maximise the use of scholarships.
Education in Nigeria is not perfect. But it is powerful and the story is still being told today. For many, it remains the strongest link between where they are and where they hope to be.
Primary public school of Ankadibe Ð Maroansetra, Madagascar
Faith is a professional writer with over 6 years of writing experience in the educational sector. She uses her research and writing skills to help prospective international students