In a revealing interview on Mic On Podcast, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, representing Kebbi South Senatorial District, provided a detailed analysis of educational disparities between Northern and Southern Nigeria, focusing on demographic and economic factors affecting educational outcomes.
“Now, can you honestly say that the North ever had the resources to transform education the way the South did?” Na’Allah began, posing a rhetorical question that frames the historical resource disparity.
The Senator then offered a compelling demographic comparison: “If you take 10 senior civil servants from the South, their children would likely average 3 to 4 per family. But if you take 10 mallams (Islamic scholars) from the North, their children would average 12 to 20 per family.”
To illustrate the practical implications of these demographic differences, Na’Allah presented a stark economic scenario: “So, if you give one million naira to a Southern civil servant to educate four children and you give the same amount to a Northern mallam to educate 27 children, how can the outcome be the same?”
The Senator contextualized these challenges historically: “This issue has existed since Nigeria’s independence. Our leaders were aware of it and have made efforts to change the situation.” This statement suggests a long-standing awareness of these educational disparities among national leadership.
This comprehensive analysis from a sitting Senator provides crucial insights into the complex interplay between demographics, resources, and educational outcomes in Nigeria. Na’Allah’s perspective highlights how family size disparities between regions create fundamentally different challenges in educational resource allocation.
The interview contributes significantly to understanding the root causes of educational disparities between Nigeria’s regions. As a senior legislator, Na’Allah’s analysis offers valuable perspective on the structural challenges facing educational development in Northern Nigeria.
To Get More News, Click The Button Below.👇