Glorious Solutions Centre

Hi there,

It’s time for the “bottom-pot” of today’s events at the Glorious Solutions Centre. Tonight, we have a special guest in the house, a man who is amongst the very few in the country to have enjoyed full scholarship from the Federal Government of Nigeria to study overseas through the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Overseas Study Scheme. He was but one of only three from his state (Rivers State) to have satisfied all requirements necessary for participation in the scheme. Upon his return from the UK, he picked up a job as a lecturer in the Petroleum Engineering Department, University of Port Harcourt, the very department he graduated from a couple of years ago. Please help me welcome Mr. Stanley Buduka.

GLORIOUS: Good day Sir, you are welcome back to Nigeria.

STANLEY: Thank you very much. You know, as they say, there’s no place like home.

GLORIOUS: So, you were amongst the lucky few who got the PTDF Scholarship for Overseas Studies. What is this scheme all about? How does one qualify?

STANLEY: Let me first of all say a big THANK YOU to the government for according me the opportunity to study abroad. The PTDF Overseas Study Scheme is government’s attempt at training indigenous manpower with the best of training so that the Petroleum Industry in particular, which is the main stay of our economy can soon be developed and run by Nigerians. In other words, increased qualified local content is the main goal. To qualify in the first place, the person must be a graduate in Engineering, Geosciences, Science & Environmental Studies with Second Class Upper Division grade. You must also pass an aptitude test. There are just a few more criteria that are checked like age, NYSC, State etc.

GLORIOUS: Wow! In your own opinion, do you think the scheme is achieving its purpose?

STANLEY: Yes, indeed it is. During my study at Heriot-Watt University, I didnt have to think of school fees because it was completely taken of. It ran into some good millions, which one, otherwise might not have had to pay. Besides that, the training we received out there cannot be compared to what we have here in Nigeria. I studied Reservoir Simulation in Petroleum Engineering, a very specialized and all-important field in our present day IT-driven Petroleum industry. During my study, I was even able to develop a Reservoir Simulator myself. Infact, we learnt everything we needed to know, so that you are very employable without further training. The PTDF scheme is also flexible. After your studies, you can even get a job over there in the UK or wherever. That gives you the opportunity to gain international experience, although of course it is expected that you’ll come back to Nigeria and utilise this knowledge and experience.

GLORIOUS: So, having successfully completed your Masters abroad, how do you rate the Nigerian Educational System?

STANLEY: Well, I must say that our system especially at the higher educational level is good, THEORITICALLY but very poor PRACTICALLY. Infact, in terms of practical knowledge, it’s nothing to write home about. We don’t have the much-needed facilities in ICT, Database Management; no infrastructure etc and this does not help the students develop their full potentials in their field of study. I mentioned something about full field development study earlier. You see, during my studies, we were grouped into a team with a company name and we were required to develop a petroleum field from scratch. Each of us brought in our different expertise in our diverse fields of learning. I handled the Reservoir Simulation aspect of the job. So while you are in school, you are already practising what is being done practically in the industry. It was so interesting and very practical and possible because all the facilities you need are available. You don’t find such here in Nigeria. Even UNIPORT, which arguably has the best equipped Petroleum Department, does not have a Reservoir Simulator and many vital software in other fields. These deficiencies in the system impede proper learning.

GLORIOUS: Would you tell us why you decided to come back and lecture instead of getting a hotjob in the industry?

STANLEY: Well, in the first place, after the studies, getting a professional job there is not as easy as we think, especially if you are not from the EU countries. Unless you are exceptionally good. I could have choose to stay back and even if I don’t get a professional job per say, I could do menial jobs and still earn more than the average Nigerian lecturer. But that is not my dream at all. So, on my return, I decided to give back to the society. I enjoy the impact my new teaching techniques are making in the students. I try to implement some of the things I saw being done overseas. For example, after a couple of hours of lecturing , I allow my students about 5 minutes of break. Over there, we use to have lots of tea break, coffee break, this break and that break. That way, students are not too overloaded at once, especially since the course I teach is very mathematical.

GLORIOUS: Are you not facing any challenges in terms of take-home pay if compared to your counterparts in the industry?

STANLEY: Now, that’s a very good question. You see, my take-home pay is but a peanut compared to my colleagues in the industry. And that calls for a lot of concern. When lecturers are treated as though they are not contributing to the society, and government finds it difficult to give the average teacher something worthwhile, then we are in trouble. That is why I usually say “I PITY NIGERIAN STUDENTS” You know why? I foresee that if this trend continues, after the older professors have left the system (of course they will one day), then the younger ones who should have taken over will be no where to be found, because the job is not lucrative. Besides that, the learning environment is not conducive or comfortable for learning.The other day, I was lecturing, there was no light in the classroom. In these days of global warming, the heat was terrible; how can the students understand? Besides all these, I also think that either we don’t have enough schools yet or we are growing exponentially in population. There are too many students trying to use too few facilities. The situation is appalling and needs urgent attention and solutions.

GLORIOUS: That is correct. Infact, that is why GLORIOUS SOLUTIONS CENTRE is speaking with you. Having seen that we have all these problems in a 21st Century world, what solutions do you proffer for our educational system?

STANLEY: First, let me say that the problem is multifaceted. On one hand, government owns the Federal Universities such as the University of Port Harcourt and many others. It is government’s duty to ensure that these citadels of learning are well funded and well equipped. Secondly, government should, as a matter of fact, de-emphasize on paper qualification. It isn’t helping us as a nation. That is why you see students do all in their power to get good grades, whether they merit it or not. Over there, the “oyibo” man wants to know “what can you do?”, “are you creative?”, “can you change the situation?” etc. The reverse is the case here. So every year, we churn out graduates with the required “almighty” 2.1 who know nothing about nothing. Sounds incredible, but now that I am in the system, I know and see these things happening. Otherwise, why on earth should you have a 2.1 graduate who can’t even write a formal letter or make a good presentation.

And to the students, it is important that you discover who you really are. The earlier you know your strengths and weaknesses, the better for you. You find so many students trying to read a course they know nothing about in terms of gifting. In a whole class of say about 150 students in Petroleum Engineering, you find out that only a fraction (about 40) should be in that class because they have developed the necessary engineering skills. The rest will end up pursuing a vague dream while their area of gifting lies waste. And because you have so many who shouldn’t be there in the first place, they end up polluting the good ones. That is why you find examination malpractice is so rampant, even among intelligent students, because they are compelled to “help” those who are just attachments, so as not to be branded “wicked” or whatever.

GLORIOUS: Indeed, it’s an unfortunate situation we find ourselves, but I believe change can come. Any last words?

STANLEY: Yes, change can indeed come if we decide to change. Again, for the students, go for what you can do and be the best at it. You don’t need an engineering degree to make a name in our world today. Find your strong points and build a career in that direction. That is the surest way to success.

GLORIOUS: My, oh my! It’s been so interesting speaking with you Mr. Stanley. Thank you so much for the privilege and the time you’ve spent with us. We wish you all the best.

STANLEY: Thank you too. The pleasure’s mine.