First Class: From optimism to realism

For sometime, there has been a growing concern about the dramatic rise in the number of first-class graduates yearly churned out from our universities. For example, the 2019 and 2020 academic session alone saw more than 2000 graduates conferred with first-class degrees from a total of 11 Nigerian universities. Expectedly, academics and stakeholders do not […]

For sometime, there has been a growing concern about the dramatic rise in the number of first-class graduates yearly churned out from our universities. For example, the 2019 and 2020 academic session alone saw more than 2000 graduates conferred with first-class degrees from a total of 11 Nigerian universities.

Expectedly, academics and stakeholders do not hold a parallel view on this issue. This portends evil, as argued by some scholars, in the belief that, this class of degree can and should only be awarded to the minority. 

The others, on the other hand, are fully convinced that such a development signals a better educational rebirth and absolute hope in the nation’s education.

Who wins this argument, from my perspective, is of a lesser concern. This piece, indeed, is aimed at discussing how the bright smile on the first-class graduates gradually shrinks and evaporates in the shortest of time. I may understand why a graduate of a lesser class of degree may find it hard and tough to secure a job, but to have a graduate, with the finest of the university grade, roam the street or job-hunts is totally callous, degrading, dehumanizing, unjust and clearly rebarbative.

First class, to the best of my knowledge, is an exceptional class of degree for the finest of students – intellectually speaking. Both sweat and blood – to be a bit literary – are heavily invested to clinch this class of degree. Faridah Mustapha, for example, a 5.0 CGPA graduate of Petroleum Engineering, Kuban State University of Technology, Russia, puts the price of a first-class degree to tough sacrifices and immortal dedication.

Unarguably, not everyone would be as lucky as Emmanuel Nworie, whose story changed from a petty and abandoned farmer, to first class in Maths, regardless, to a sudden star. Stories of “hire me, I made a first class” are now ubiquitous. I have read the pathetic story of a first-class graduate-turned bread seller on the streets. 

Is first class no longer a great feat? Or just no longer enough? If our students are graduating from the university with the finest grade, and only to feel hopeless, despondent and anxious of the future, then, we cannot save education from taking a bow in the next decade or so. Now, I can see, not by gazing into the celestials, but by paying attention to the harsh, ugly, and infuriating experience of the first class graduates, that, there might be new headlines soonest. May be it will read, ‘Disappointment, no one graduates with a first class” or “first – class degree on strike”. 

In sum, I firmly believe that those who have exceptionally and academically distinguished themselves do not need to regret they did, do they?

Samuel Ogunnaike wrote from Lagos.