•SSAN knocks education minister
The Social Science Academy of Nigeria (SSAN) has issued a strong rebuke to the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, over his recent assertion that Nigeria is facing an oversupply of social science graduates. In a statement released by its President, Professor Chike Okolocha, the academy vehemently countered the minister’s claim, emphasizing the indispensable role of social sciences in addressing the multifaceted economic, political, and social challenges confronting Nigeria.
Dr. Alausa made the controversial remarks while presenting provisional licenses to eleven new private universities in Abuja. He suggested a national need for fewer graduates in the social sciences and a greater focus on individuals equipped with technical and life skills. Professor Okolocha, however, characterized the minister’s stance as “a violent negation of the Universities Autonomy Law” and a manifestation of “anti-intellectualism” within public office.
He pointedly noted the lack of factual basis for the minister’s pronouncement, stating, “The position of the minister is not guided by facts. He was silent on the current number of social science graduates in the country and the quantum deemed desirable.” Professor Okolocha drew a parallel to a previously debunked claim by former Labour Minister Dr. Chris Ngige regarding a surplus of medical doctors.
Highlighting the critical contributions of social sciences, Professor Okolocha underscored their importance in tackling pressing national issues such as poverty, the persistent challenge of insurgency, and pervasive inequality – problems often rooted in historical and societal transformations. “Nigeria is currently in the throes of poverty, social and political exclusion, economic downturn, underdevelopment… The social sciences were created to tackle these difficulties,” he asserted, arguing compellingly for the necessity of more, not fewer, social scientists in the nation. To illustrate the practical value and diverse applicability of social science training, Professor Okolocha cited prominent and successful Nigerian figures like Aliko Dangote, Jim Ovia, and Tony Elumelu, all of whom hold degrees in social science disciplines.
SSAN argued that Nigeria’s developmental challenges stem not from an excess of social science graduates but rather from inadequate investment in quality education across all disciplines and a lack of robust job creation initiatives. “While SSAN agrees that Nigeria should produce more graduates in the (pure) sciences, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM), this cannot be exclusive of the social sciences and humanities,” Professor Okolocha clarified, astutely pointing out that crucial fields like economics and finance are themselves integral parts of the STEMM spectrum. He further emphasized the interconnected nature of knowledge, stating, “Knowledge is an integrated interdisciplinary inquiry… applied to identifying and solving societal problems.”
The academy strongly urged the government to dismiss Dr. Alausa’s comments and to avoid repeating past policy missteps. Professor Okolocha referenced the 1982–2007 ban on history in Nigerian schools, a policy driven by World Bank advice that prioritized technical education. “Government duly adopted the 60/40 formula, which gave priority to the sciences and actually banished history from the Nigerian education curriculum. Yet unemployment, poverty and underdevelopment did not vanish,” he stated, highlighting the eventual reinstatement of history in 2017, with full implementation by 2022. SSAN’s forceful response underscores the ongoing debate about the optimal balance and value of different academic disciplines in addressing Nigeria’s complex developmental needs.
