Nigeria Is Producing Certificates, Not Enough Competence

Nigeria’s education challenge is not only about funding. It is also about relevance. Too many students graduate with strong grades and certificates but limited exposure to the tools, problem-solving and workplace practices employers need. During an accounting internship, students gained hands-on experience in Excel-based financial statements, tax computations, filing procedures, audit work and client engagements. Several said they learned more practical accounting in a few weeks than they had in years of classroom study. That gap should concern educators, employers and policymakers. Degrees remain valuable, but certificates should not be treated as substitutes for competence. Vocational and technical skills, apprenticeships, internships, innovation and entrepreneurship must receive the same respect as academic qualifications. Nigeria needs curricula shaped by industry needs and learning that prepares students to solve real problems. Education should produce capable builders, creators and professionals, not only job seekers with certificates.

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