In a wake-up call to Nigerian youths, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, the registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has cautioned that possessing degrees without demonstrable skills will render them obsolete in the evolving job market.
By Lot Sunday
This stark warning was issued during the convocation lecture at Kwara State University, Malete, where Prof. Oloyede delivered a thought-provoking talk titled “Learning, Unlearning and Relearning – Prerequisites of the Digital Age.”
According to the JAMB registrar, the landscape of employment is rapidly changing, and academic certifications will no longer guarantee job security. Instead, he emphasized the increasing importance of acquiring practical skills that align with the demands of the high-tech sector. Prof. Oloyede highlighted, “Degrees would no longer be the sole guarantors of jobs, but demonstrable skills will.” He further stressed the significance of the triad – learning, unlearning, and relearning – as essential skills for success in the digital age.
In his address, Prof. Oloyede noted the transformative nature of the information age, attributing the change to the rapid development of technology. He urged individuals to embrace lifelong learning and remain adaptable to change, emphasizing that those who can learn, unlearn, and relearn are the ones poised for success in the evolving landscape.
The acting Vice Chancellor of Kwara State University, Prof. Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh, expressed optimism about the impact of the lecture on the audience. He underscored the need for educational institutions to serve as catalysts for transformation, preparing graduates not only for current challenges, but also for the dynamic changes unfolding in the digital age.
As the world continues to shift towards a technology-driven era, Prof. Oloyede’s message serves as a call to action for Nigerian youths to prioritize skill acquisition alongside traditional education to stay competitive in the ever-evolving job market.
