A Nigerian man has taken to social media to express his frustration after a private university rejected his PhD application, citing his failure to take certain subjects in his WAEC examinations. The situation has sparked widespread discussions about the rigid academic policies in Nigeria.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), the man, who already holds multiple academic degrees and has significant professional experience, recounted his experience. He was surprised to learn that, despite his impressive credentials, he was considered ineligible for the PhD program due to missing subjects in his secondary school examination results.
“I recently decided to apply to a Nigerian private university for a PhD (my second concurrent) in a field I have worked in since 2015… They told me that since I didn’t study certain subjects in WAEC, I’d be ineligible. 😂,” he wrote, expressing his disbelief at the rejection.
The man further compared his experience with foreign universities, stating that he had no such issues when applying abroad. Not only was he accepted into a similar program, but he was also granted credit transfers based on his previous education and work experience.
“For context, I have four university degrees, am currently in my 18th cumulative year of full-time work—two-thirds of which have been in senior leadership roles—and I have even lectured in this field,” he explained.
“But no, I have to go back in time and write WAEC or complete two postgraduate programs, where I’d likely be the one explaining the practical aspects of what they are teaching. 😂”
Despite the setback, he maintained his desire to pursue the degree but lamented the systemic challenges within the Nigerian education system.
Following his post, social media users flooded the comment section, with many sharing similar experiences and criticizing Nigeria’s rigid academic policies.
See some reactions below:
@olufisayooduz: “Everything is wrong with the Nigerian system. I also didn’t have to do any PGD to get a master’s degree abroad in Agrifood Economics with my Animal Science degrees from Nigeria. Something that would have been impossible in Nigeria. The sad part is our lecturers are in on it too.”
@AyoBankole: “The problem is deep-rooted in NUC. NUC has a fundamental archaic problem & structure. We need a non-practitioner reform-minded head in that place, and of course, a serious-minded minister of education to fix the ridiculousness of our education system.”
@sposhbaba: “Miva told me I had to write WAEC in order for me to study IR. Same course I have a foreign diploma in.”
@Oyin_xO: “Reminds me how I applied for a residency program as a licensed dentist, and they asked me for my primary school transcript.”
@AEAdeola: “Good you brought this up. I have been saying that the NUC was and still is against the development of the youth and Nigeria’s future. For goodness' sake, why do you need WAEC again? What about prior learning assessment?”
@tjawiee: “A thorough overhaul of the education system is necessary. It is regrettable that the current system persists despite numerous consultations and solution-focused seminars and workshops. All is well.”
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