Ajigbotafe, Olawale: Paglia

Changing the Orientation of Elite People in Nigeria

In the past, people believed that if they had a college degree, it would improve their standard of living. It worked. Today people believe the same thing and it does not work out for them. But, looking at the economy of Nigeria, it is easy to see that getting a college degree and getting involved in a trade at the same time definitely improves one’s standard of living. This is what needs to be preached “changing the orientations of elite people in Nigeria.” I agree with what Paglia is saying which is getting involved in trade even while attaining a college education.

Due to the low standard of living in Nigeria, it is very important that one understands that changing the orientation of the elite people in Nigeria is relatively easy task because one can explain to his listeners that future success can be achieved by earning both a college degree and getting into a trade. The current orientation in Nigeria is that once one can acquire a bachelor’s degree he will be successful. But, if we look at what is happening in the world as well as in Nigeria, individuals without a bachelor’s degree are making more money than those who have a college degree and that’s because the elite people do not want to get into less prestigious jobs even if they pay well.

          

Unemployment and underemployment happen because educated people do not want to get into blue-collar jobs. Nevertheless, there are people who do have college degrees and who also happen to get a good job, but there are only a few of them. The major disadvantage the elite people have is forgetting the fact that there are not many white collar jobs available for degree holders. Therefore, it is important they start taking many things into consideration such as getting to use their hands to earn a good living.

          

College degrees can give us the knowledge, experience and skills we need to get into trade or business and be successful. For example there is a video producer in Nigeria who got a college degree but did not become successful until he went to South Africa to learn a trade which is how to shoot musical videos. He now earns ten times more than a banker or an accountant would earn in Nigeria just because he decided to learn a trade along with his degree. He makes up to $10,000 for a major video shoot. In Nigeria there are some jobs that are assumed to be for those people who are not educated such as mechanics, tailors, photographers, and many others. However, being educated and having trade gives one an opportunity to be reckoned with in the society not only because of the financial returns but also because one can stand out from his elite peers.

          

In conclusion, changing the orientation of the elite people in Nigeria involves not only encouraging them to go into trades but to also get as much education as they can get in order to give them the knowledge, skills, and experience required to get either into trade or business. This will reduce the rate of unemployment and have a positive effect on the country’s economy.