Tinubu charges varsities to prioritise skills over certificates

President Bola Tinubu has charged Nigerian universities to shift their focus from merely awarding certificates to emphasizing practical skills, innovation, and problem-solving. He believes this change is crucial for producing graduates equipped to drive Nigeria's economic transformation and compete effectively in the global arena.

Speaking at the 37th Annual Conference and General Assembly of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, represented by the Minister of State for Education, Suwaibat Ahmad, Tinubu described universities as vital institutions for national development. He asserted that their role extends beyond degree conferral to being centers for knowledge creation, innovation, critical thinking, and entrepreneurship.

"The question before us is no longer simply whether our universities are producing graduates. The more foundational question is: what kind of graduates are we producing? How effectively are our universities preparing them to contribute to Nigeria’s economic and social transformation?" Tinubu posed. He stressed that the quality of graduates should be measured by their ability to apply knowledge, develop solutions, and contribute meaningfully to society, possessing not only academic soundness but also digital competence, adaptability, and innovative thinking.

“

Universities are more than institutions where degrees are awarded. They are centres of knowledge creation, innovation, critical thinking, entrepreneurship, cultural development and national transformation.

The president highlighted the urgency of this reorientation due to the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, automation, biotechnology, and other emerging technologies. He noted that his administration is implementing reforms under the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative to enhance the quality, relevance, and accessibility of tertiary education, with a focus on institutional governance, research, digital transformation, and industry collaboration.

Tinubu also advocated for increased practical training opportunities, enabling students to supplement their classroom learning with hands-on experience. This call to action aims to ensure that Nigerian universities produce graduates who are not only knowledgeable but also practically skilled and prepared for the demands of the modern workforce.

“

The question before us is no longer simply whether our universities are producing graduates. The more foundational question is: what kind of graduates are we producing? How effectively are our universities preparing them to contribute to Nigeria’s economic and social transformation?