Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation, has a history of poor education system. From elementary to higher education, Nigeria has been bedeviled by academic underperformance attributed to many factors led by underfunding.
This has resulted in the country yearly losing its place in global education ranking. In the 2022 World Education Forum’s ranking involving 140 countries, including 38 African countries, Nigerian education system failed to find a place among the top 10 in Africa.
The ranking, which used the overall level of labor competence as well as the amount and quality of schooling in each country assessed as its criteria, found Nigeria wanting in all necessary factors considered, including digital literacy, interpersonal skills, and the capacity to think critically and creatively.
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However, while Nigeria keeps lagging behind, other African countries are stepping up. According to the 2021 data published by the World Education Forum reported by Insider Africa, these are the top 10 African countries with the best education system.
- Seychelles
An Island country in East Africa with a population of 98,347 people, Seychelles is the first and only African country to fully accomplish UNESCO’s “education for all” aim. The country’s educational system is also the only one in Africa to be ranked among the top 50 systems in the world, placing 43rd overall, ahead of Ukraine, Hungary, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates. It holds the position for the best education system in Africa, with 69.3 points.
- Tunisia
The Tunisian educational system ranks 71st among the best worldwide, with a 61.4 points rate of excellence. This country has invested 20% of its national budget into the educational sector and ranks 49th position for School life expectancy and 51st for Pupil-to-teacher ratio in primary education.
- Mauritius
This country is rated the 3rd best in Africa with 61 points in the educational system and ranks 74th in the global education system. Schooling in Mauritius is compulsory up to the age of 16. The country is also ranked 47th in the world in vocational training because of its reputation for providing high-quality programs.
- South Africa
The literacy rate in South Africa is 94 per cent. This country is rated the 4th best country in Africa in educational development with 58.4 points. It also holds the 84th position in the global education system.
- Algeria
Algeria is the second country with the best education system in North Africa. It is the 5th best in Africa with 57.4 points, and the literacy rate in the country is 75%.
- Botswana
Botswana holds the 6th position in Africa with a score of 56.7 points. It is also rated the 92nd best country in the Global education system. With a population of 2.3 million, the literacy rate in Botswana is 88%.
- Kenya
Kenya ranks 7th in Africa with 55.4 points and is rated the 95th best country in the world, with a 78.7% literacy rate. It is estimated that the Kenyan government invests 17.58% of its budget in the educational sector.
- Cape-Verde
Cape Verde ranks 98th in the global education system and number 8th in Africa, with 53.3 points.
- Egypt
Egypt is ranked 9th in Africa with 52.8 points. The country is also rated the 99th best country in the world, with the rate of 71% literacy rate.
- Namibia
Namibia has a population of 2.34 million, and the country is ranked 100th in the global education system and 10th in Africa, with a score of 52.7 points. The literacy rate in Namibia is 88.2%.
It is baffling that these countries with lower economic power than Nigeria have shown more commitment to improve their education system while Nigeria is still wallowing in lackluster.
Industrial actions have characterized Nigeria’s education system. Currently, Nigerian public universities are on strike over the government’s inability to meet the demands of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The strike action, which has lingered for more than seven months now and has paralyzed academic activities in the universities, has no hope of being called off soon as talks between the ASUU and the federal government have repeatedly failed.
Part of ASUU’s demand is N1.2 trillion funding. The union said the fund is needed to revitalize Nigeria’s poor public university system, updating its obsolete curriculum that does no longer meet modern education standard.