The University of Lomé in Togo has announced the launch of its "One Student, One Job" program, set to begin in the 2026-2027 academic year. This initiative, led by President Professeur Kossivi Hounake, aims to combat youth unemployment and promote entrepreneurship in line with the government's 2026-2031 roadmap. However, the program has sparked intense debate and criticism from the public and university community.
Critics argue that the program reflects a deep disdain for the fundamental purpose of higher education. Instead of addressing the challenges of professional integration, the initiative appears to be a strategy to downgrade intellectual and social expectations. The daily struggles of students at the University of Lomé reveal a harsh reality. Due to overcrowding and inadequate infrastructure, students often wake up at 4 am to secure a spot in packed amphitheaters.
The University of Lomé faces significant challenges, including outdated equipment, insufficient teaching staff, and a lack of resources. As a result, students are forced to purchase expensive course materials and often learn through rare explanatory sessions. In this precarious academic environment, the introduction of workshops focused on manual labor, such as laundry, soap-making, and hairdressing, has been met with outrage.
Togo already has a well-established institutional framework for technical and vocational training, including the Centres Régionaux d'Enseignement Technique et de Formation Professionnelle (CRETFP) and the Lycées d'Enseignement Technique et Professionnel (LETP). These institutions provide training in various industrial, tertiary, and technological fields, leading to recognized diplomas.
By launching its own program without consultation or evaluation, the University of Lomé risks creating redundancy and devaluing its own status. Moreover, this initiative undermines the dignity of Togolese students and intellectuals. It echoes previous policies that have led to the devaluation of young people's ambitions, limiting their professional prospects to informal, subsistence-level activities.
A comparative study of university professionalization programs worldwide reveals that the University of Lomé's approach deviates from international norms. In contrast to European, North American, and other African models, which focus on elevating qualification levels and integrating practical experience into academic curricula, the Togolese program juxtaposes manual jobs with scientific courses.
The "One Student, One Job" program has sparked concerns about social injustice, as Togolese elites send their children abroad for high-level education while proposing menial jobs to those who remain in the country. As the program's implementation approaches, it remains to be seen how it will impact the University of Lomé and its students.
Key points
- The University of Lomé's program has been criticized for its potential to downgrade intellectual and social expectations.
- Togo already has a well-established framework for technical and vocational training.
- The program deviates from international norms of university professionalization.
