“For the sake of this article, a formal certificate is considered as the certificate obtained from a tertiary institution; whether Universities, Polytechnics, Monotechnics or other higher institutions of learning”.

Our country has evolved. She is still evolving. She has evolved in almost every sector. She has evolved into a tragic bad on one part and an astonishingly advanced enclave on the other part. The interest of this article pertains to the evolvement between our formal certificates and their relationship with guaranteed meal tickets.

There has been an age long debate that cuts across many generations in this country about whose generation is Nigeria better or worse. Some commentators proposed that the 1960s’, 1970s’, and 1980s’, Nigeria was the best. Younger generations said the 1990s and 2000s’ is better. Whatever indices must have been used to reach both conclusions will suffice for another fresh article. But I want to focus on what formal certificates meant between the earlier generations and what obtains in today’s reality.

It was my dad that told me about how first degree graduates were treated in the 60’s, 70’s and even early 80’s. You may have been told similar stories of how graduates got cars upon graduation, white collar jobs were already waiting for them to graduate amongst several other pecks that seems unbelievable in today’s reality. In those days, all you needed to liberate yourself and your family from sheer poverty and consuming despondency was a degree from a tertiary institution. Your degree or certificate was the ticket and the only ticket you needed to transfer from lack to plenty, from have-not to have. I once attended a course on Facilities Engineering, Operations and Maintenance Management and the facilitator corroborated my dad’s tale to me, he was a beneficiary of the account my dad told me. Engr X (name withheld), a graduate of University of Ibadan, in the department of chemical engineering in 1978, before he was shortlisted for NYSC, already had a job waiting in Shell, where he eventually worked for 33years before voluntarily resigning as a Lead Projects Engineer. This is only one out of several other examples. These kinds of stories were popular until the 90s’.

Then, something happened! Something that is better imagined than described. This thing that happened will suffice for a PhD thesis if you want to undertake a study on it. Let’s not go into that story.

These pecks and assurances of securing white collar jobs started fading away like a diffusing flame, thousands of graduates now have to write application letters, converge at stadiums to write aptitude tests for fifteen (15) vacant positions, amongst other unspeakable tendencies. More unfortunately is that the trend deteriorates every other day. A close comparism on what is obtainable between then and now reveals that the distance between the experience then and now can be liken to the distance between heaven and earth. Honestly, it is that far! Hence, when people argue on what use their formal certificates are if they can’t get a job with them in their own country; I listen along with a heavy heart, worried about the imminent consequence of this quagmire. This may be a title for another piece.

However, are formal certificates still guaranteed meal tickets? I will answer Yes without batting an eyelid. Are formal certificates a deceptive illusion? I will not answer No.

Firstly, jobs are still available even though they are only a few vacancies that will never go round. Hence, to the graduates or applicants who eventually get employed, the certificates have paid off. There are several ‘fortunate’ graduates whose stories support this claim. Recall that without the certificate, you do not qualify to contest in the first place. However, it is also not incorrect to say they are a deceptive illusion. This is evident in the thousands of graduates that are roaming the streets or under-employed and waiting for their miracle day, if it will ever come. This is then a two way bridge, one is wider, while the other; slender like the biblical road that leads to heaven.

What is the way to go?

Whether or not the job comes, education shouldn’t be replaced with anything. Going to school should be non-negotiable especially if you have the capacity to. Going by the current reality of this generation, disabuse your mind from considering formal certificates as the only guaranteed meal ticket. Having established that, re-adjust your mindset to be open to all options. After graduation, if the job comes; lucky you. If it doesn’t, re-strategize. There are several other options you can consider. Learn a skill; go into business (if you can), deliberately develop your gifts and passion. The education you have acquired puts you in a better position to organize your life. Start something, grow it and move your life on.

Moses Ilemona Ihiabe

All of the above

All these are just signs of end Times . Times have changed. Person gogo UK go spend 7m on masters yet come back to dey hustle job with pple with only bsc dey write shl nd dragnet upandan. E go beta

Nice article, good one op.

Good write up

Op well done

Reasoning of an educated business man and non educated business man can never be the same...certificate is important

it's funny when people talk about education, especially tertiary graduates. you'd think it's a place where you get to build up your self, not knowing it's actually a place where students get to memorize books upon books upon books, that they'll eventually forget a year after graduation.


tertiary education in Nigeria is overrated

Nice one Op.

It is not a guaranteed meal ticket anywhere in the world. There are lots of graduates both home and abroad working in low skilled jobs.
One benefit of education is that it helps you think outside the box, and that may be the only thing you would need to suceed in life.

Fuuuuuuuck

Gotze done score for extra time.

Make Argentina try equalize before them go lose this world Cup finals

No more said... You nailed it!

Wu e done epp?

nowadays more of a grand illusion


a degree without hustling skills today is OYO


i got an intl consulting link without it. if you go to school . go for knowledge .if your dream is nnpc and mobil etc.then join APC hiearchy for secrey recruitment

the whites don chase certificates like we do . thats why their plumbers and carpenters are well to do

OP, well said

Indeed things have changed for the worse

AmuEwu:
Fuuuuuuuck

Gotze done score for extra time.

Make Argentina try equalize before them go lose this world Cup finals

you dey watch match this early morning?

Paul Planted, Apollos Watered... It's God that will still give the Increase!

Although having formal certificate to an extent can give a more reasonable life comfort..In both, God's mercy and grace upon ones work is the koko

italkmoses:
“For the sake of this article, a formal certificate is considered as the certificate obtained from a tertiary institution; whether Universities, Polytechnics, Monotechnics or other higher institutions of learning”.

Our country has evolved. She is still evolving. She has evolved in almost every sector. She has evolved into a tragic bad on one part and an astonishingly advanced enclave on the other part. The interest of this article pertains to the evolvement between our formal certificates and their relationship with guaranteed meal tickets.

There has been an age long debate that cuts across many generations in this country about whose generation is Nigeria better or worse. Some commentators proposed that the 1960s’, 1970s’, and 1980s’, Nigeria was the best. Younger generations said the 1990s and 2000s’ is better. Whatever indices must have been used to reach both conclusions will suffice for another fresh article. But I want to focus on what formal certificates meant between the earlier generations and what obtains in today’s reality.

It was my dad that told me about how first degree graduates were treated in the 60’s, 70’s and even early 80’s. You may have been told similar stories of how graduates got cars upon graduation, white collar jobs were already waiting for them to graduate amongst several other pecks that seems unbelievable in today’s reality. In those days, all you needed to liberate yourself and your family from sheer poverty and consuming despondency was a degree from a tertiary institution. Your degree or certificate was the ticket and the only ticket you needed to transfer from lack to plenty, from have-not to have. I once attended a course on Facilities Engineering, Operations and Maintenance Management and the facilitator corroborated my dad’s tale to me, he was a beneficiary of the account my dad told me. Engr X (name withheld), a graduate of University of Ibadan, in the department of chemical engineering in 1978, before he was shortlisted for NYSC, already had a job waiting in Shell, where he eventually worked for 33years before voluntarily resigning as a Lead Projects Engineer. This is only one out of several other examples. These kinds of stories were popular until the 90s’.

Then, something happened! Something that is better imagined than described. This thing that happened will suffice for a PhD thesis if you want to undertake a study on it. Let’s not go into that story.

These pecks and assurances of securing white collar jobs started fading away like a diffusing flame, thousands of graduates now have to write application letters, converge at stadiums to write aptitude tests for fifteen (15) vacant positions, amongst other unspeakable tendencies. More unfortunately is that the trend deteriorates every other day. A close comparism on what is obtainable between then and now reveals that the distance between the experience then and now can be liken to the distance between heaven and earth. Honestly, it is that far! Hence, when people argue on what use their formal certificates are if they can’t get a job with them in their own country; I listen along with a heavy heart, worried about the imminent consequence of this quagmire. This may be a title for another piece.

However, are formal certificates still guaranteed meal tickets? I will answer Yes without batting an eyelid. Are formal certificates a deceptive illusion? I will not answer No.

Firstly, jobs are still available even though they are only a few vacancies that will never go round. Hence, to the graduates or applicants who eventually get employed, the certificates have paid off. There are several ‘fortunate’ graduates whose stories support this claim. Recall that without the certificate, you do not qualify to contest in the first place. However, it is also not incorrect to say they are a deceptive illusion. This is evident in the thousands of graduates that are roaming the streets or under-employed and waiting for their miracle day, if it will ever come. This is then a two way bridge, one is wider, while the other; slender like the biblical road that leads to heaven.

What is the way to go?

Whether or not the job comes, education shouldn’t be replaced with anything. Going to school should be non-negotiable especially if you have the capacity to. Going by the current reality of this generation, disabuse your mind from considering formal certificates as the only guaranteed meal ticket. Having established that, re-adjust your mindset to be open to all options. After graduation, if the job comes; lucky you. If it doesn’t, re-strategize. There are several other options you can consider. Learn a skill; go into business (if you can), deliberately develop your gifts and passion. The education you have acquired puts you in a better position to organize your life. Start something, grow it and move your life on.

Moses Ilemona Ihiabe

In the age of fastlinks of the internet, going to school is negotiable. It's time we started taking applied and practical knowledge serious not all these obsolete theories being taught at our various institution.

I'm just trying to imagine why a young man (with his BSc/MSC) will be advised to think outside the box and learn barbing or wheel barrow pushing whereas a senator with weac or even primary six certificate will be thinking inside the box and 'chopping' money..

nawa o!!!

italkmoses:
“For the sake of this article, a formal certificate is considered as the certificate obtained from a tertiary institution; whether Universities, Polytechnics, Monotechnics or other higher institutions of learning”.

Our country has evolved. She is still evolving. She has evolved in almost every sector. She has evolved into a tragic bad on one part and an astonishingly advanced enclave on the other part. The interest of this article pertains to the evolvement between our formal certificates and their relationship with guaranteed meal tickets.

There has been an age long debate that cuts across many generations in this country about whose generation is Nigeria better or worse. Some commentators proposed that the 1960s’, 1970s’, and 1980s’, Nigeria was the best. Younger generations said the 1990s and 2000s’ is better. Whatever indices must have been used to reach both conclusions will suffice for another fresh article. But I want to focus on what formal certificates meant between the earlier generations and what obtains in today’s reality.

It was my dad that told me about how first degree graduates were treated in the 60’s, 70’s and even early 80’s. You may have been told similar stories of how graduates got cars upon graduation, white collar jobs were already waiting for them to graduate amongst several other pecks that seems unbelievable in today’s reality. In those days, all you needed to liberate yourself and your family from sheer poverty and consuming despondency was a degree from a tertiary institution. Your degree or certificate was the ticket and the only ticket you needed to transfer from lack to plenty, from have-not to have. I once attended a course on Facilities Engineering, Operations and Maintenance Management and the facilitator corroborated my dad’s tale to me, he was a beneficiary of the account my dad told me. Engr X (name withheld), a graduate of University of Ibadan, in the department of chemical engineering in 1978, before he was shortlisted for NYSC, already had a job waiting in Shell, where he eventually worked for 33years before voluntarily resigning as a Lead Projects Engineer. This is only one out of several other examples. These kinds of stories were popular until the 90s’.

Then, something happened! Something that is better imagined than described. This thing that happened will suffice for a PhD thesis if you want to undertake a study on it. Let’s not go into that story.

These pecks and assurances of securing white collar jobs started fading away like a diffusing flame, thousands of graduates now have to write application letters, converge at stadiums to write aptitude tests for fifteen (15) vacant positions, amongst other unspeakable tendencies. More unfortunately is that the trend deteriorates every other day. A close comparism on what is obtainable between then and now reveals that the distance between the experience then and now can be liken to the distance between heaven and earth. Honestly, it is that far! Hence, when people argue on what use their formal certificates are if they can’t get a job with them in their own country; I listen along with a heavy heart, worried about the imminent consequence of this quagmire. This may be a title for another piece.

However, are formal certificates still guaranteed meal tickets? I will answer Yes without batting an eyelid. Are formal certificates a deceptive illusion? I will not answer No.

Firstly, jobs are still available even though they are only a few vacancies that will never go round. Hence, to the graduates or applicants who eventually get employed, the certificates have paid off. There are several ‘fortunate’ graduates whose stories support this claim. Recall that without the certificate, you do not qualify to contest in the first place. However, it is also not incorrect to say they are a deceptive illusion. This is evident in the thousands of graduates that are roaming the streets or under-employed and waiting for their miracle day, if it will ever come. This is then a two way bridge, one is wider, while the other; slender like the biblical road that leads to heaven.

What is the way to go?

Whether or not the job comes, education shouldn’t be replaced with anything. Going to school should be non-negotiable especially if you have the capacity to. Going by the current reality of this generation, disabuse your mind from considering formal certificates as the only guaranteed meal ticket. Having established that, re-adjust your mindset to be open to all options. After graduation, if the job comes; lucky you. If it doesn’t, re-strategize. There are several other options you can consider. Learn a skill; go into business (if you can), deliberately develop your gifts and passion. The education you have acquired puts you in a better position to organize your life. Start something, grow it and move your life on.

Moses Ilemona Ihiabe

I am always proud of you bro. You have really grown into sophisticated personality. Just put a call through to your brother now after seeing this.

Keep the energy brighter.

edlion57:
Reasoning of an educated business man and non educated business man can never be the same...certificate is important

hmm care to expatiate on that?

deceptive illusion

reverendfather:
you dey watch match this early morning?

lol

Odd and strange...

If you think your formal certificate is your meal ticket ,you will forever be a servant .

hmm...

Get the certificate but don't depend on it!

Outlive it....!

I just dey look u..

The problem is when you think because you have a certificate your too good to work in restaurants or as a shop girl, until you get the break your waiting for.

It takes creativity to make it with or with out.

Last but not least connections is everything. Even if you serve the rich is better then hanging with the poor.
Be around, surround, read, think, talk what you want to attract, what ever you perceive you can achieve.

Higher education certificate is over rated nowadays. The world have moved from certificates to asking what can you offer? its a question of goods and tangible services.acquire a skill and provide a direct service, that's the answer. many people have killed their energy by wallowing in the delusion of being handed large sums of money as employees whereas the job is not possibly in existence.Today's youths need to emancipate themselves from this wishful thinking.

op,since you have mentioned going into business, I would like suggestions of a business I can start with #200k and expand later and it should be a business that will not be affected by this current economic recession