For generations, in countless Nigerian homes, the mantra has remained the same: “All my children must be graduates.” It has been a dream fueled by sacrifice, sleepless nights, and endless toil. Parents have denied themselves comfort, basic needs, and the security of their old age, pouring all they had into ensuring that their children obtained university degrees. This achievement has long been regarded as a cultural trophy, a badge of honour, and the ultimate expression of parental success.
Yet the reality confronting us today demands sober reflection. That noble dream is increasingly turning into a heartbreaking reality for many families. We are producing a generation of graduates whose certificates the economy cannot absorb. For many, the university degree has become little more than a costly piece of paper an emblem of years spent in institutions that failed to equip them with practical, employable skills. Parents and children alike are left disappointed, burdened by depression, frustration, and shattered expectations. The once bright promise of a certificate has dimmed into an uncertain future.
This calls for an urgent cultural shift. We must move away from the outdated thinking of “all my children must be graduates” to a more sustainable vision of “all my children must have a skill.” The world has changed, and Nigeria has changed with it. The economy simply does not create enough jobs to absorb the thousands of graduates turned out every year. Many higher institutions, poorly funded and disconnected from the realities of the modern workplace, churn out certificate holders who are unprepared for the demands of today’s industries. The result is visible in our streets: graduates riding Okada and Keke, struggling as personal assistants for meagre pay, or worse, lured into illegitimate activities to survive. This is not because they are unintelligent or lazy, but because the system is broken and their education did not align with market needs.
We must also confront a difficult truth: jobs do not fall from the roof of a prayer house, church, or mosque. Jobs are created by government policies that enable industries to thrive and by private sector investments in businesses, factories, and infrastructure. Where those investments are absent, jobs simply do not exist, no matter how fervently people pray for them. Parents who sacrifice everything to raise graduates must understand this. The sacrifice, while noble, must also be strategic. Education is one of the biggest investments a parent can ever make in their child, and like every investment, it must be intentional, focused, and designed to yield returns.
This intentionality begins with asking the right questions before sending a child to any higher institution. What industry does this course lead to? Does it teach practical, tangible skills? Is there a demand for this skill in the real world? Degrees in fields such as ICT, data science, renewable energy, healthcare technology, skilled trades, agriculture, and digital marketing are not just certificates; they are gateways to skills that can either secure employment or create new opportunities. A degree alone opens doors only if those doors exist. A skill, however, ensures independence even when no doors are open.
Parents must be bold enough to break stereotypes. The prestigious courses of yesterday are not necessarily the profitable skills of tomorrow. A child pushed into Law, Political Science, or other courses merely for status may end up with little to show for it in today’s economy, while one who learns plumbing, software development, or renewable energy installation may build a sustainable livelihood and even create jobs for others. Pride should not be in the title of the course studied, but in the ability of the child to stand independently and thrive.
For students and aspiring graduates, the responsibility is even greater. The world does not owe you a job. Your future is in your hands, and you must own it. If you have yet to enter a higher institution, choose a course that makes you highly employable or equips you to create a business. Research the future of work; digital literacy, problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking are fast becoming the most valued skills across industries. If you are already in school, do not resign yourself to fate if your course offers little practical relevance. Navigate. Use your time to learn additional marketable skills. Take online courses, acquire a trade during holidays, or build small ventures on the side. Your degree does not have to define your career; your skills will.
The truth is that the ultimate security in today’s economy lies not in finding a job but in creating one. A food science graduate who ventures into food processing, or an engineering graduate who sets up a renewable energy installation business, can carve out opportunities where none existed before. Every child must be encouraged to see their knowledge not just as a pathway to employment but as a toolkit for solving problems in society. That is where real success lies.
Of course, there will always be exceptions. Children from wealthy families, business dynasties, or political connections may find that their course of study matters less. But for the overwhelming majority of Nigerians, success will not come from who they know but from what they can do. That is why the cultural shift is not just necessary, it is urgent.
Let us begin to celebrate the artisan, the innovator, and the skilled entrepreneur with the same pride we once reserved only for the graduate. Let us acknowledge that a certificate has value, but only when it is backed by skill. For survival, for earning a living, and for thriving in this new world, every child must have a skill. Parents must be intentional in guiding their children toward practical, future-focused paths. Students must take responsibility to build themselves beyond the classroom. Together, we can rewrite the story of education in Nigeria.
A degree may be an achievement, but a skill is true inheritance. And in a world of uncertainty, it is skills, not paper qualifications, that will light the path toward a prosperous and sustainable future for both our children and our nation.
