Bros, if you think sey Ph.D. easy, mek you sef go follow get am.
To be honest, I didn’t intend to engage in word battles with the online crowd trivializing the esteemed Doctor of Philosophy (PhD or D.Phil) degree. Yet, the more I try to ignore their ignorance or envy towards recent recipients of the doctorate, the more I feel compelled to express my thoughts.
Throughout last week, it was a time of ceremonies, congratulations, and well-wishes in the academic domain for undergraduate and postgraduate students, most of whom were convoked by the University of Calabar. Over the years, the graduates invested financial resources and energy in their studies. After the stipulated years of study, whether in partial or full fulfillment of the requirements of their programs, and having been found worthy in character and learning, the University awarded them Bachelor of Science degrees, Master of Science degrees (magister scientiae), and Doctor of Philosophy degrees (philosophiae doctor).
While the successful awardees have been celebrating their academic laurels, some eccentric individuals feel that the celebration is not warranted, especially regarding the PhD degree, which they label as “the proliferation of PhDs” due to the number of students who successfully obtained them. Shocking, isn’t it? Well, much has been said about earning a PhD — some negative, some positive, and some mixed.
“Where are the jobs for these PhD holders?” “What problems can some of these PhD holders solve?” “The way people are obtaining PhD degrees nowadays raises questions.” “It seems like they’re buying these certificates.” “Instead of offering solutions to problems after earning a PhD, some end up applying for jobs as Dangote truck drivers.” “Unical seems to be awarding PhDs indiscriminately.” These are some of the mixed feelings expressed.
Anyways, people are entitled to their opinions, no matter how dimwitted or logical they may seem. However, sometimes envy can prompt people to express their ignorance and cluelessness shamelessly, without further consideration. If only they knew what it takes to successfully complete a bachelor’s degree, then a master’s degree, and finally, a doctoral degree, we might have been spared of their remarks.
Mr. Paul Okayim and Julius Idajor are among the new PhD holders. They were my classmates during our undergraduate years at Unical. We studied Electronics and Computer Technology (ECT). These guys were some of the most studious and industrious students I knew on campus. They attended night classes diligently from Monday to Friday, starting from the first day of the semester to its end. This, they did throughout our days in the “Malabo Republik”. After graduation, they continued their studies, obtained master’s degrees, and now have PhDs in Engineering Physics. These are a few friends I feel like mentioning. It is sickening, to say the least, if their efforts are derided.
A fortnight ago, I volunteered as a research or field assistant to a PhD student in the Department of Geography. Among his research team were two academic doctors (a geologist and a climatologist), another PhD student, myself, and the PhD student himself. We were trained and equipped on what to do in the field. We departed from the meeting point at about 8 AM and headed to the field, where we collected samples, recorded observations, conducted oral interviews, and performed other tasks. We returned to the starting point in the evening. I joined them on two occasions; they had conducted that exercise on several occasions when I was unable to join them. He invested money, energy, time, and shared knowledge in the field. This is just a fraction of the rigorous process of obtaining this degree. Yet, there are people who flagrantly downplay its importance. Haba!
On the other hand, the sentiments of these individuals are understood. Imagine certain political officials obtaining PhDs in record time. Some of these individuals spend all their time junketing and globetrotting. They don’t have time to attend lectures, present seminars, write research papers, or engage in other academic activities with their colleagues. But when the spoils are brought home, they claim the credit.
Somehow, I don’t blame those who trivialize the PhD. It is an incontrovertible fact that a large percentage of PhD degrees are obtained to bolster the sagging egos of the holders, as they are not interested in proffering solutions. Mostly, those who are not in the academics. For example, a friend told me he wants to obtain a PhD simply because every family in his community seems to have one or two PhD holders.
Many Nigerians are egomaniacs. They are overtly obsessed with titles and enjoy flowery appellations. Some suffixes or prefixes attached to their names give them a sense of burgeoning bourgeois values. They can do anything necessary to obtain one. Like PhDs, some are honorary doctorate awards, and people like the comical clergy, Prophet Chukwuemeka Cyril Ohanaemere, also known as Odumeje, would not need to use their powers (abidu shaka) before an institution finds them worthy to be honored, even if they have not positively impacted humanity. A friend once told me he would vie for an elective position once he obtains a PhD.
Bros, if you think sey PhD easy, mek you sef go follow get am.
Comrade Ogar Emmanuel Oko is from Yala LGA and writes from Calabar.
NB: Opinions expressed in this article are strictly attributable to the author, Ogar Emmanuel Oko, and do not represent the opinion of TheInvestigator or any other organization the author works for/with.