YOUTH DISILLUSIONMENT WITH EDUCATION IN NIGERIA: UNPACKING THE 'EDUCATION IS A SCAM' SLOGAN AND PROPOSING REMEDIAL MEASURES

Abstract

Disillusionment refers to a feeling of disappointment or loss of faith in something once believed to be true, promising, or ideal. It occurs when a person becomes aware that the reality of a situation, person, or belief system does not meet their expectations or ideals. This can lead to a sense of betrayal, confusion, or sadness, as the individual realizes that their previously held views or hopes were unrealistic, flawed, or deceptive. The slogan “education is a scam” has gained traction among Nigerian youth, signaling a profound disillusionment with the nation’s formal education system. This article examines the underlying causes of this growing sentiment, including graduate unemployment, curriculum-labor market mismatch, systemic corruption, and the deteriorating quality of education. Anchored in the Expectancy-Value Theory, the paper critically examines how these challenges diminish the perceived value of education among youth. The study proposes remedial measures such as curriculum reform, promotion of vocational and technical education, employment transparency, and values-based learning to restore trust and reposition education as a credible vehicle for personal and national development.