Chase skill while chasing certificate: New reality of survival in today’s Nigeria

POINTBLANK with Smart Emmanuel

For decades, the narrative of success in our nation, and indeed in much of the world, has been built on the acquisition of certificates. People proudly display their degrees, and many communities celebrate graduates with fanfare, Oh!!! Yadiwa!!!.

A university certificate was once a passport to secure a job, steady income, and social respect. But today, that reality has shifted. The country’s economic landscape, technological transformation, and persistently high unemployment rate have exposed a hard truth, and we all know that it is not the certificate itself that puts food on the table anymore, but the skills that people possess and can market.

Across the nation, countless young people clutch their hard-earned degrees while roaming the streets in search of the elusive “white collar job.” Government ministries, banks, oil companies, and multinational firms cannot absorb the millions of graduates produced yearly by Nigerian universities and polytechnics.

The National Bureau of Statistics consistently reports double-digit unemployment figures, with youth unemployment among the highest. The labour market is saturated, and the few openings often come with fierce competition, nepotism, or even requests for bribes.

Therefore, clinging to a certificate as the sole ticket to success in our nation today is a dangerous gamble. Certificates remain valuable as proof of learning and discipline, but they are no longer guarantees of livelihood. What is increasingly important is skill, practical, income-generating competence that meets real needs. Skill opens doors that certificates alone cannot. Skill is portable, adaptable, and borderless. A degree shows what you know; a skill shows what you can do.

Take the example of tailoring. A graduate who invests time in learning how to cut, sew, and design clothes can earn daily. Weddings, parties, and cultural events keep fashion in constant demand. In cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Aba, talented fashion designers charge premium prices for bespoke outfits.

Similarly, a student who masters baking can finance schooling by selling cakes, pastries, and snacks. Food remains a basic human need, and creative bakers carve out a steady clientele.

Technology-based skills have an even wider reach. Nigerian youths who teach themselves coding, graphics design, video editing, or digital marketing can work for clients across the world from the comfort of their rooms.

Freelance platforms and remote work opportunities have erased geographical barriers. A young person in Enugu can design websites for a client in Canada or manage social media campaigns for a company in Dubai. Tech skills are not only lucrative, it is globally relevant.

The beauty of skill acquisition is that it often requires less capital than people imagine. The internet has democratized learning. Free tutorials on platforms like YouTube, Coursera, and Khan Academy allow motivated individuals to pick up competencies in photography, music production, carpentry, plumbing, and more.

Local apprenticeship systems, long a part of Nigerian culture, also provide hands-on training for little or no fee. What is needed is not necessarily huge funding but determination, consistency, and the humility to learn.

Unfortunately, societal attitudes can discourage our young people from pursuing skill-based paths. Many families still see vocational trades as inferior to office jobs.

Sometimes, when a graduate chooses to learn welding or hairdressing, some gullible minds may mock them for “wasting” their education. Yet, the income from such trades often surpasses that of entry-level office positions.

It is time to rethink our definition of success. Dignity of labour should not be tied to a suit and tie. A skilled welder, fashion designer, or software developer contributes as much to the economy, and often earns more than a certificate-holder waiting endlessly for a government appointment.

This is not to say that formal education is irrelevant. On the contrary, education provides critical thinking, communication abilities, and a foundation for lifelong learning. But education must evolve. Our schools should integrate skill acquisition into curricula: coding, digital marketing, entrepreneurship, and practical crafts should complement academic subjects.

Internships and industrial training must be taken seriously, not treated as mere formality. Our universities and polytechnics should become incubators of innovation, where students graduate not only with degrees but with marketable skills and business plans.

The government also has a role to play. Policies should prioritize vocational training, provide grants for small enterprises, and expand access to technology hubs.

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme can become a powerful channel for entrepreneurship training rather than just a one-year posting. Public and private partnerships can establish skill centers across states, bridging the gap between education and employment.

Most importantly, the mindset of Nigerian youths must shift. Instead of waiting endlessly for “white collar jobs,” young people must embrace self-reliance. It is no longer wise to measure worth by how impressive a CV appears.

The true measure is the ability to create value and earn a living. Skill gives freedom. Skill gives bargaining power. Skill speaks louder than any certificate.

Consider the many inspiring examples around us: the graduate who runs a thriving poultry farm; the law degree holder who becomes a sought-after photographer; the engineering student who builds a digital start-up. It’s proof that one’s field of study need not limit one’s field of achievement. A certificate can open doors, but skill builds the house.

As the saying goes, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” In today’s Nigeria, the basket of formal employment is fragile. But the basket of skill tailoring, baking, coding, carpentry, hairdressing, solar installation, and content creation is strong and expanding. It is time for our youth to diversify their prospects. Learn a trade. Master a craft. Acquire a digital skill. Turn hobbies into businesses.

The future belongs to the skilled. The global economy rewards those who can solve problems, create products, and deliver services. A certificate is a commendable achievement, but it is not a meal ticket. To put food on the table and thrive in a challenging economy, skills must take center stage. Nigerian youths, let your hustle speak louder than your CV, and let your hands, guided by skill, build the life your certificate alone cannot guarantee.

Yagazie!