By Comrade Yekini Lukmon, YKL
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Passing through the four walls of a school provides the foundation upon which many people build their future. Basic education does more than teach a child how to read and write; it helps shape the mind, develop critical thinking and prepare individuals for the responsibilities and opportunities of adult life.
Yet, increasingly, some young people and graduates are beginning to describe education as a “scam” because a university degree does not automatically translate into a well-paying job. This perception is understandable in an economy where many graduates spend years searching for employment. But it is also fundamentally misplaced. School is not a scam; ignorance is.
Education was never designed to be a guaranteed ticket to employment. Rather, it is a foundation upon which knowledge, skills, character and competence are developed. The world of work, however, demands more than certificates. Employers increasingly look for practical experience, digital competence, problem-solving ability, adaptability, communication skills and the capacity to create value.
This is where the education system must urgently evolve.
Young people in primary and secondary schools should be taught early that education is a stepping stone, not the final destination. Students should understand that what ultimately matters in the labour market is not merely what is written on a certificate, but what an individual can practically offer.
There is therefore a compelling need for curriculum reform. Nigerian schools should create greater room for practical, entrepreneurial and vocational education from the primary level through tertiary institutions. Every child should have an opportunity to discover and develop a skill that can become a source of livelihood, whether or not employment comes immediately after graduation.
A graduate of Agricultural Science, for instance, should not necessarily spend all of his productive years waiting for a government or private-sector job. With appropriate training and access to finance, such a graduate could establish a small-scale livestock, crop or agro-processing enterprise. Within a few years, the goal should be to become a creator of employment rather than perpetually remain a job seeker.
This is where government has an important role to play. If Nigeria genuinely wants to reduce graduate unemployment and encourage entrepreneurship, it must create accessible and transparent funding opportunities for young people with viable business proposals. Loans and grants should be tied to credible ideas, proper mentorship and accountability rather than political connections.
Universities must also rethink the nature of final-year projects. Instead of limiting students to academic research that may never move beyond the pages of a shelf, institutions should encourage more project proposals capable of becoming viable businesses, innovations or community solutions. A student studying agriculture, engineering, computer science, education or environmental science should be encouraged to graduate not only with a certificate but also with a practical plan for creating value.
The transition from university to the labour market can be difficult because the two worlds operate differently. The university provides knowledge and intellectual preparation, but the workplace demands experience, networking, practical application and continuous adaptation. This explains why some graduates become frustrated when they discover that possessing a degree alone does not guarantee employment.
The answer, however, is not to abandon education.
Rather, students must be encouraged to think beyond the conventional definition of success. Internships, volunteering, apprenticeships, digital skills, entrepreneurship, networking and continuous learning can significantly strengthen a graduate's prospects.
The digital economy has also changed the meaning of employability. Many employers now value competence in technology, communication, data, problem-solving and other practical areas. Schools that continue to place excessive emphasis on memorisation at the expense of creativity and problem-solving risk producing graduates who possess certificates but struggle to demonstrate their value.
The question, therefore, should not be whether university education is a scam. The more important question is whether the education system is adequately preparing young Nigerians for the realities of the 21st-century economy.
There is clearly a need for continuous improvement in Nigeria's curriculum, teaching methods and career guidance. Education must become more practical, innovative and responsive to the changing demands of society.
But we must be careful not to confuse the failures of the system with the value of education itself.
School is not a scam. A certificate is not a magic wand, but education remains a powerful foundation for personal and national development. What Nigeria needs is an education system that teaches students not only how to pass examinations, but also how to solve problems, create opportunities, acquire practical skills and become useful contributors to society.
The ultimate lesson for today's students should be simple: go to school, acquire knowledge, learn a practical skill, build relationships, develop yourself and think beyond the certificate.
Education opens the door. What you do with the opportunity is what determines how far you go.
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