Unprofessionalism: The Nigerian Experience, by Yinka Ogunlana

by Yinka Ogunlana

The effects of professionalism can never be over-emphasized in developed nations around the world. In this vein, it is imperative to look into Nigeria; the biggest, largest, most populous and biggest oil-rich country in Africa, which is equally blessed with both immense human and natural resources. Most times, one begins to ponder on the devastating, dehumanizing and deteriorating conditions faced by Nigerians and even the country as a whole despite its wealth and enviable resources. One of the major challenges which is not only affecting the growth of the country but is also a dent on the nation’s
integrity is unprofessionalism.

It is disheartening to note that a country with about 170 million people and to some reasonable extent values education as it records over 7,000 graduates and 2,000 M.Sc. holders every year is unable to
boast a reasonable  level of manpower in most of its sectors. But then, for Nigeria to record the desirable success in every of facet of her national life, it is my thinking that professionalism is crucial
towards re-branding and rebuilding the country.

As a matter of fact, unprofessionalism is unarguably that microscopic flu that has eaten deep down into the affairs of the nation and is on the verge of destroying the economy though many will easily look at
corruption as the bigger flu; but it’s important to know that corruption is a product of unprofessionalism. A right-thinking individual won’t expect an agriculturist to serve as a doctor; this
also applies to most of our leaders. It has become a chorus on almost everyone’s mouth that corruption is that common and infectious disease confronting the county but as an average professional Nigerian will not only help to re-build the economy but also make sure that there is an equitable distribution of resources as he won’t want to involve in corrupt acts.

It is never a palatable or interesting phenomenon to witness a situation where lawyers and even microbiologists are in the banking sector acting as auditors, and accountants. Unprofessionalism is
putting square pegs in round holes.

Lets talk about sport. It is more pathetic to see Nigerian football in a derailing situation, as the just concluded FIFA world cup established that obvious fact that our players are not well refined and trained as an average mind wouldn’t have expected the team to go beyond the round of sixteen let alone bring  home the trophy! Though, some of the players ply their trade for clubs in Europe, North America and Asia but that is not a perimeter or measure to give immediate tickets to these players as this does not mean they are professionals. Professionalism both on the pitch and off the pitch irrespective of their clubs goes beyond merely playing for a foreign club side. This was so evident in Brazil 2014 as the eventual winner (Germany) demonstrated a high level of professionalism.

However, David Easton, a prolific Political Scientist and a protagonist of behavioralism after his election in 1969 as the President of America Political Science Association stated clearly that the work of
governance should not be politicized as it should be left in the hands of those who have the formal training in the field. For instance the lawyers, political scientists, public administrators and sociologists
may be the best members of the society with versed knowledge of leadership. This however does not exclude other professionals including pharmacists, engineers and doctors who may have demonstrable
leadership skill. To buttress this point, for instance, Americans have always voted political scientists and lawyers as their presidents and congressmen and women. Furthermore, before 1960 and shortly after the independence many prominent Nigerian leaders included the late Nnamdi Azikwe, who was a political scientist, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who was a lawyer and Tafawa Balewa, who was a teacher.

Long before Christ, Plato had made a case for the enthronement of the Philosopher-Kings; namely educated and knowledgeable scholars to occupy leadership positions. As David Easton said: ‘to know is to bear responsibility for acting and to act is to engage in reshaping the society’. It is my opinion that until  professionals take up their duties as well as when qualified and patriotic citizens take up the
mantle of leadership it might be extremely difficult to record any landmark achievement by 2020, when Nigeria hopes to be one of the strongest 20 economies in the world. But the questions is; when will true professionalism come into force in the Nigerian socio-political space?

Yinka Ogunlana is a sophomore at Crawford University, Nigeria

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