By Abdullahi D Mohammad
No nation thrives in isolationism. Urbanization, cooperation and globalization, had almost eliminated both human and non-human boundaries among countries. As cooperation deepens, so is the need for integration, potentially to boost sociocultural, economic and political ties for mutual benefits. The United States of America is among the nearly 150 countries Nigeria had ties with. The relationship between Nigeria and the US has gone beyond mere diplomatic and bilateral agreements; it has assumed a profound and ebullient dimension.
The US department of State has an elaborate scheme which seeks to bridge deficits in Nigeria, especially in areas of education, culture, democracy and civic engagement. The scheme or program is achieved through the American Spaces in Nigeria.
For emphasis, American Spaces in Nigeria, are among the over 140 of such centres globally. It is funded by the US department of state, whose interest is largely aimed at fostering a dignified relationship with host countries. Simply put, American Spaces are a cultural and information centers laced with modern and state-of the art gadgets which help in accessing information about the United States. These information include, education, student exchange programs, scholarships, grants and access to over 500 tertiary institutions in the US.
The need for a paradigm shift to technical education, in an ever-changing world is important. Also, development of skills, especially in this part of the world, would do the country a whole lot of good, considering the humongous existential challenges. Thus, the desire for the adoption of the Science, Technology. Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) approach to education is one critical area the American Spaces hinges its objectives on. Another core and critical area is on girl-child education and out-of-school children which remain central themes in nothern Nigeria’s development and cultural discourse.
Currently, there are 24 of such spaces across Nigeria, 10 of which are located in the north of the country. They include Kano, Borno, Nasarawa, Jigawa, Niger, Benue, Bauchi, Gombe, Sokoto and Abuja. With the exception of Abuja, Kano and Bauchi, all spaces are located and domiciled at the campus libraries of universities in the states, providing both the Universities and off-campus host communities equal access to the facility.
American Spaces are pristine and equipped with modern learning gadgets. It offers variety of programs, which have the potential of creating the next generation of thought leaders, change makers and innovative tech gurus. With a team of dedicated staff, American Spaces, provide an unfettered access, physical or virtual, to wide range of innovative and skillful ideas, like Artificial Intelligence, AI, debates and sociocultural footprint on freedom, democracy, ànd civic engagement. Others include engineering, computing and literary insights.
To enhance accessibility, the spaces are primed on account of their productivity. Kano, Borno, Bauchi and Sokoto had the presence of the American Spaces for close to two decades, and are accorded the status of full “American Space”.
While Nasarawa, Jigawa, Niger, Benue and Gombe states, are simply accorded the status of “Window on America”. Regardless, all spaces provide same services, opportunities and a unique platform for civic engagement, e-learning, e-library and other medium of learning.
According to a 2022 UNESCO survey, Nigeria had about 20 million children that are out-of-school, making it the largest in the world. This included both primary and secondary. Although, the Nigerian Universal Basic Education Board, UBEC repudiated the report, but facts on ground, seem to validate it. However, an independent education think tank, Research on Improving Systems Of Education (RISE) had in December, 2023 reported that, around 10.5 million children aged 5 to 14 years are out of school in Nigeria. This is a fair comparison to the UNESCO report, in the absence of a unique and comprehensive data from the Nigerian authorities. This obtrusive decrease from the UNESCO report, signaled a marked effort from authorities.
The menace of out-of-school children in northern Nigeria is worrisome. Statistics from some States Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, put the figure at an alarming 60 percent, comprising, especially primary education.
Nigeria’s Minister of Education, (State) had last December, lamented the growing number of North’s out-of-school children. He said: “The rising figure of out-of-school children in Nigeria and most particularly in the northern part of Nigeria is not only unacceptable but disheartening. There must be concerted efforts to address and reverse the trend of this time-bomb phenomenon,” he concluded.
This concerted and collaborative effort, is where the American Spaces come in handy. The North, as a matter of expediency, must speedily take advantage of this innegligible and crucial opportunities. At the moment, the sub-regional spread of the Spaces could be an alternative to forestall the decline of school enrollment in the region. Take for instance, the Northwest. American Space Sokoto, which is located close to the city campus of Usmanu Danfodio University, is strategic in many ways. The serene atmosphere offers not only conducive learning environment, but an ambience that reflects reading culture. Community Based Organizations, CBO, together with community leaders could take advantage by organizing and partnering with the space for private class sessions, for both primary and secondary students.
In Kano, the Murtala Muhammed Library, on Ahmadu Bello Way, houses the American Space. With a robust alumni, the space boasts of unique platform for research, learning and skill acquisition. Window on America Dutse, at the Federal University Dutse, in Jigawa State, offers an opportunity for capacity building for both primary and secondary school teachers to enhance productivity and increase school enrollment.
In the Northeast, 2.8 million children are either facing challenges in accessing schools, or are forced to stay out of school. This is as result of conflicts, spanning over a decade. The American Space Maiduguri, Window on America Gombe, located both at the University of Maiduguri and Gombe State University respectively, are just the needed platforms to increase school enrollment through collaborations. Both state governments and stakeholders in education should not ignore the significance of synergy with the Space. These Spaces exist for the benefit of the community. Since unsafe locations have made migration necessary, those involved in education should engage the spaces for areas of mutual benefits, which are countless.
The North Central states of Nasarawa, Benue and Niger, have the presence of Window on America. In Nasarawa, the Window on America Keffi, is located at the State’s university in Keffi. With a 24-hour internet connectivity and open to all, the space is a medium for exchange of ideas, information and tech skills. It is a link between the interiors of Nasarawa, and the bustling communities at the fringes of the Federal Capital, Abuja. For Window on America Makurdi, the space is located at the library of the Benue State University, Makurdi. It offers wide range of exciting programs, which is central to the formative years of children. While the number of out-of-school children in North Central, is relatively low, in comparison with other regions in the north, however, economic challenges hamper school enrollment. Window on America Minna, located at the Federal University of Technology Minna, is seeking to turn the tide, through inspiring, innovative and technology driven programs.
The exact number of out-of-school children in northern Nigeria, whether or not we agree on the actual figure, should not form the basis for our discourse. It is not debatable. It is obvious that once a region has myriad of challenges—insecurity, economic deprivation and insensitive leadership, the size and number of in-school children would stretch, for obvious reasons.
For a fact, government can no longer bear the brunt alone. Which is why, bilateral agreements and partnerships are essentially part of governance. The American Spaces in Nigeria, exist explicitly to fill in this void. What remains is for thought leaders, community based organizations in nothern Nigeria to take center stage in securing an enduring partnership with the various spaces across the region, to curb the challenges in education and school enrollment. A very crucial, yet neglected aspect is the Almajiri system. We must either integrate the system into the mainstream education curriculum, or have a stand-alone system, which absorbs some aspects of formal education, especially Mathematics, English and technical education alongside Qur’anic education at the various Tsangayas.
One major area of interest which the American Spaces focuse on, is girl child education. This should ignite a fervor in us. Statistics from UBEC has shown the north, has fewer number of School- Age Girls, enrolled in schools. It is pathetic.
Small grants and scholarships are provided by the space for deserving girls with stellar performances in WAEC/NECO. These interventions and opportunities are out there, waiting to be explored. Yearly, thousands of girls in Southern Nigeria access and benefit immeasurably from such grants.
Some exciting and life-changing programs offered by the spaces include, Tech Girls, EducationUSA, YALI, Bridge USA, Ambassador’s Small Grant, Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program, FLTA, Resources for Kids, and Exchange Program Alumni & Opportunity.
Stakeholders in education, and parents should do well, to take full advantage of them. These opportunities and interventions at the American Spaces, in nothern Nigeria are waiting to be explored. Waiting on a government, whose priorities are in sharp contrast with our survival is a death sentence.