'ROADSIDE TEACHERS'

When I read in a Nigerian newspaper (PunchApril28 2015) the submission of a Nigerian University Professor about 'roadside teachers' my initial shock was on why the education system in Nigeria tolerated this type of teachers for so long and up till now unless the present government in Nigeria does something about it the problem cannot be said to be over. The learned Professor unfortunately did not identify who roadside teachers were. It is however very apparent that he was referring to those who were teaching in our schools and Universities without formal training in education-No training of any kind to qualify them as teachers.
They are however very qualified professionals in their fields and many of course can explain topics in their respective subject areas to their students. Does this qualify anyone to be teachers/lecturers even to the extent of becoming a professor without a teaching qualification all through a teaching career in the University? For instance if you have a BSc or MBBS you can be recruited to teach in a Nigerian University and become a professor with medical fellowships. It seems if you can just explain a topic to your students you can continue your career as a lecturer. Should we continue to cry of poor quality of education under this kind of circumstance? Education policies in Nigeria have changed as the number of governments we have had so far. Education budget is the lowest when compared with our enormous resources. Nigerian University Commission, the body responsible for accreditation of University programmes once made a policy or proposed PhD as minimum qualification but up till now this has not been implemented especially in medical and dental faculties. The cry of genuine educators continue to fall on deaf ears. Which way forward for Nigeria education? The use of technology has promising prospect for addressing this problem but  the level of adoption is one of the lowest. The rest of the world is rethinking their education systems but we seem to be comfortable with our circumstances. Although it is not all negatives for education in Nigeria as prominent educators have made remarkable marks at their own times but we cannot grow a formidable education with occasional nuggets of development. This is why the observation of the Professor is apt and deserves the attention of the present government. The rest of the world has been helping Nigerian students and educators through scholarships and countless trainings but the  government seems not to bother much about this. It is over several decades ago that Nigerian scholarships boards last functioned even when it was active funding goes to politicians and their cronies. Academic staff of Nigerian universities (ASUU) hardly work for two consecutive years without having at least four to six months face off with the government. Salary agitations, industrial courts and negotiation and re-negotiation have become a common place in university/government relationships. The whole situation is frustrating for the youth who look up to their leaders for help. Government's schools and Universities are just not the best option for a serious student and the cost of education in the private institutions has hit the roof. Where is the future of quality education under this kind of circumstance?