Is technology driving proliferation of First Class Degrees in Nigeria?

A number of Nigerians have been expressing concern over the geometrical increase in the number of first class graduates Nigerian universities are churning out yearly. There have been claims of laxity, ‘sorting’ and other forms of corruption in the system, resulting in the ability of students to achieve high grades.

While not ruling out the possibility of corruption in the system, it should be understood that technology plays a critical role in the life of an average Nigerian student. The role could however be on a good or bad side.

High-flying Nigerian students have positively engaged technology to achieve high grades. During a chat with a 2014 first class graduate of one of Nigeria’s university of agriculture, he narrated how he utilised technology to achieve high grades in school.

 

 According to him, he watches YouTube and other online videos, related to his discipline, before and after attending classes. The videos give better explanations of each subject area with avalanche of visual aids to drive home the points been made in the lecture videos. This facilitated better understanding and grasp of his course of study. He then found it easier to tackle examination questions and achieve high grades.

With a mobile phone or a PC, students can complete rigorous assignments without the need to use the library. A full research project can be completed within a short time and less rigour. All that is needed is a PC with the required research analysis software and Internet access. 

Thousands of academic materials (text and video) on almost every area of study are available online. Students can have access to them at the comfort of their homes or hostels as long as they can access the Internet. Majority of the materials are prepared by well-trained foreign professionals.

Learning from some of the materials is tantamount to been trained by foreign professionals while studying in Nigeria. With a mobile phone or a PC, students can complete rigorous assignments without the need to use the library. A full research project can be completed within a short time and less rigour. All that is needed is a PC with the required research analysis software and Internet access.

It is pertinent to mention the role of communication technology in the quest for Nigerian students to achieve high grades. Communication technology eases networking among students. Students create Facebook and WhatsApp groups to engage in intellectual discussions at little or no cost.

Compared to two decades ago, when technology was at a low ebb, one should expect that a positive use of technological devices and networks by Nigerian students should boost their grades and intellectualism. Technology has simplified learning, making it easy and mobile.

The proliferation of first class graduates in Nigeria could not have come through alleged corruption in the system only; technology has played a critical role.