In recent years, Nigeria’s education system has faced growing scrutiny over its overemphasis on academic certificates at the expense of practical, hands-on skills. Experts, educators, and industry stakeholders are now calling for a paradigm shift, urging that the nation prioritize competency and skills development to foster employability, entrepreneurship, and national growth.
The Certificate Obsession in Nigeria: A Growing Concern
Nigeria’s education system has long been criticized for valuing certificates above actual skills. A degree, diploma, or academic certificate is often perceived as the ultimate measure of intelligence and capability. This culture, experts argue, has created a system where paper qualifications overshadow real-world competence.
At a recent education summit, stakeholders highlighted the consequences of this certificate-centric approach. Students and young professionals are pushed to focus on attaining academic credentials rather than mastering practical skills. The result: graduates who are academically certified but lack the essential abilities required in the workplace.
How Certificate-Driven Education Fuels Unemployment
One of the most pressing challenges Nigeria faces today is youth unemployment. Despite producing thousands of graduates annually, the country continues to grapple with a skills gap. Employers often lament that university graduates are not adequately prepared for practical roles in industries such as manufacturing, technology, construction, and agriculture.
The overemphasis on certificates has contributed to widespread examination malpractice, as students prioritize grades over genuine learning. In the long term, this undermines the integrity of education and fails to equip young Nigerians with skills that can create jobs or drive innovation.
Practical Skills: A Key to National Development
Proponents of skills-based education argue that Nigeria’s path to sustainable development lies in cultivating practical, hands-on competencies. Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs, apprenticeships, and trade schools offer students the opportunity to acquire skills directly applicable to real-world challenges.
Focusing on practical skills has multiple benefits:
- Enhanced Employability: Graduates with hands-on experience are more attractive to employers, reducing the unemployment rate among youth.
- Entrepreneurship Opportunities: Skills in areas such as digital technology, carpentry, welding, and agriculture empower individuals to create businesses and self-employment opportunities.
- Industrial Growth: A workforce equipped with practical skills can accelerate Nigeria’s industrialization and infrastructure development.
- Reduced Examination Malpractice: When the emphasis shifts from certificates to competence, the incentive for academic dishonesty diminishes.
Education Reform: Shifting from Theory to Practice
Nigeria has started taking steps to integrate skills-based learning into its education system. Recent policy reforms aim to make TVET more central, ensuring that students acquire competencies alongside theoretical knowledge. Experts emphasize that at least 80% of technical curricula should now focus on hands-on training, preparing students for the workforce.
However, these reforms face challenges. Many schools lack the infrastructure, equipment, and qualified instructors to deliver effective practical education. Additionally, societal perceptions continue to undervalue vocational training, often regarding it as a second-choice option compared to university education.
Changing Mindsets: The Role of Society
For skills-based education to succeed, Nigeria must also change societal attitudes toward learning. Parents, educators, and policymakers need to recognize that practical skills are as valuable as academic degrees. By elevating the status of vocational training and skills acquisition, the nation can encourage more young people to pursue alternative educational pathways that align with market demands.
The Path Forward: A Balanced Approach
To bridge the skills gap, Nigeria needs a balanced education system that values both certificates and practical skills. This approach would:
- Integrate skills development across primary, secondary, and tertiary education.
- Encourage apprenticeships, internships, and hands-on training programs.
- Provide incentives for industries to partner with educational institutions for skill acquisition.
- Promote public awareness campaigns highlighting the importance of competence over credentials.
By prioritizing skills without abandoning academic excellence, Nigeria can create a workforce that is competent, innovative, and ready to drive national development.
