The Chancellor of Southwestern University, Nigeria, Babatunde Odufuwa, has warned that Nigeria’s heavy focus on academic certificates, rather than practical skills, is slowing national development and endangering lives.
Speaking at the university’s combined 4th and 5th convocation ceremonies in Okun-Owa, Ogun State, Odufuwa said the country’s education system has created a culture where paper qualifications are valued above real competence.
According to him, today’s global job market rewards people who combine knowledge with hands-on skills, yet Nigeria continues to chase certificates at all costs.
“As we celebrate our graduands today, we must be honest with ourselves,” he said. “Certificates alone are no longer enough. Skills matter.”
Odufuwa lamented that the imbalance has encouraged examination malpractice and produced graduates who are ill-prepared for the workplace. He linked the consequences to real-life tragedies such as building collapses, medical errors and aviation accidents, often caused by certified but unskilled professionals.
He blamed education policymakers for designing curricula that prioritise theory over practice, as well as employers who insist on certificates while ignoring competence.
“This obsession has pushed students to seek shortcuts just to get employed,” he said. “In many cases, the certificates add little value — to the individual or the nation.”
Calling for urgent reform, the chancellor urged government authorities to integrate skills acquisition into education policies and appealed to employers to recruit based on ability, not just credentials.
Addressing the graduates directly, he advised them not to stop learning after school.
“Keep improving your skills,” he said. “That is how Nigeria can compete globally.”
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Amusa Adetunji, congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to be worthy ambassadors of the university.
At the event, 810 students received bachelor’s degrees, while others earned postgraduate diplomas and master’s degrees. The university also announced approval from the National Universities Commission to begin a law programme in 2026.
The ceremony featured a convocation lecture by Prof. Nelson Fashina of the University of Ibadan, who said Nigeria’s economic struggles persist despite its vast natural resources and urged responsible leadership for sustainable development.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.
