Nigeria's Obsession With Certificates Hurts More Than Fake Degrees
Fake degrees get the headlines in Nigeria, but the country's Obsession With Certificates may do more damage. In an opinion article published by Nigerian Voice, Isaac Asabor argues that we value the paper more than the knowledge it represents.
In Nigeria, asking someone about their education is often one of the first things we do. A university degree can earn a person respect. Several degrees may earn even more. But how typically do we ask what that person can actually do?
That's where the problem begins.
Fake certificates are a serious issue. Nobody should use false qualifications to secure a job, gain admission or occupy a position they aren't qualified for. Yet there's a bigger question we need to ask: why do we place so much value on certificates in the first place?
Asabor's argument invites us to look beyond people who forge certificates and examine a society that sometimes values the paper more than the knowledge it represents.
When Having a Degree Becomes Everything
Imagine two people applying for the same job. One has a university degree but struggles with the tasks involved. The other has no degree but has the practical skills to do the job well.
Who gets hired?
In some workplaces, the person with the degree may have the advantage before either candidate gets the chance to prove themselves. The second person may never even make it to the interview.
This happens because many employers use academic qualifications as the first measure of ability. A degree becomes a ticket into the room, even when the job requires skills that can be demonstrated in other ways.
Of course, qualifications matter. A doctor cannot treat patients based on enthusiasm alone. An engineer needs the right training, and a lawyer must understand the law. Some jobs require specific academic and professional credentials for good reason.
But not every job does.
A certificate can show that someone completed a course of study. It doesn't automatically mean that the person can solve problems, communicate effectively or handle the responsibilities of a particular job. Those abilities must be demonstrated.
The Problem Doesn't End With Fake Certificates
People who forge certificates should face the consequences. Their actions undermine trust and disadvantage those who have worked hard to earn genuine qualifications.
But what about someone with a genuine degree who cannot perform the job they were hired to do?
That's a different problem, but it deserves just as much attention.
Nigeria's educational system faces several challenges. Some schools lack adequate learning materials and modern equipment. Students may have limited opportunities for practical training. In some cases, learning becomes more about passing examinations than understanding a subject.
A student can spend four years at university, pass examinations and graduate without enough practical experience. The certificate may be genuine, but the student may still struggle to apply what they've learned.
That should concern us.
Education should prepare people for life beyond the classroom. Students need to understand ideas, ask questions, solve problems and use their knowledge. Passing an examination is important, but it shouldn't be the only goal.
Not Everyone Needs a University Degree
There's also the pressure many young Nigerians face to attend university. Parents want their children to graduate. Families make sacrifices to pay school fees. Young people are often told that a degree is the surest route to a good job and a comfortable life.
That advice comes from a good place. Education can open doors.
However, university isn't the only path to success.
Nigeria needs electricians, plumbers, mechanics, welders, technicians and skilled artisans. These people solve everyday problems and keep homes, businesses and industries running. Their work requires training, patience and experience.
Yet vocational careers are sometimes treated as inferior to jobs that require university degrees. Some young people may avoid learning a trade because they fear what others will say.
We need to change that attitude.
A well-trained technician can provide excellent service and build a successful business. A skilled artisan can employ other people and support a family. These are worthwhile achievements, even without a university degree.
Government should invest more in technical and vocational education. Training centres need qualified instructors, proper equipment and courses that match the needs of employers. Businesses can also help by offering apprenticeships and opportunities for practical learning.
Young people should have more choices. Their futures shouldn't be judged by whether they attended university.
How the Obsession With Certificates Affects Leadership
Our Obsession With Certificates also affects how we judge people in leadership positions. We may be impressed by someone's academic titles without asking whether that person has the judgment, integrity, and experience needed to lead.
But leadership requires more than qualifications.
A person may have several degrees and still make poor decisions. Another may have fewer academic qualifications but demonstrate honesty, sound judgment and the ability to manage people effectively.
This doesn't mean academic achievement should be ignored. It means we should look at the whole person.
The same applies in the workplace. Employers need people who can work with others, communicate clearly, adapt to change and get things done. Academic knowledge can provide a strong foundation, but practical ability matters too.
We should judge people by what they know what they can do and how they use their knowledge.
What Needs to Change?
The solution isn't to stop valuing education. It's to give education the right meaning. Four changes would help:
- Schools and employers should verify academic qualifications. Anyone who uses a fake certificate to gain an unfair advantage should face appropriate consequences.
- Educational institutions should place greater emphasis on practical learning. Students need opportunities to apply what they learn before they graduate. Better teaching and improved facilities can help make this possible.
- Employers should reconsider their recruitment requirements. If a job doesn't require a university degree, applicants shouldn't be excluded simply because they don't have one. Relevant experience, practical tests and demonstrated skills can help employers make better decisions.
- Families and society need to broaden their understanding of success. A university degree is valuable, but it isn't the only sign of intelligence, hard work or achievement.
Young Nigerians should also remember that learning doesn't end at graduation. They need to keep developing their skills and gaining experience. A certificate may help them get an opportunity, but their ability to do the work will determine how well they perform.
It's Time to Look Beyond the Paper
Fake degrees are a real problem. They must be addressed. But if we focus only on people who forge certificates, we may miss the bigger issue.
We have created a culture in which the qualification someone holds can matter more than the knowledge they possess. That attitude affects recruitment, career choices and how we measure success. The Obsession With Certificates shapes who gets hired and who gets ignored.
We need to ask better questions. What can this person do? What concerns can they solve? Can they apply their knowledge responsibly?
Those questions matter.
Nigeria needs good graduates, skilled workers and honest leaders. Academic qualifications can help us identify capable people, but they shouldn't be the only thing we look at.
A certificate should represent what someone has learned. It shouldn't be a substitute for what they can do.
Source: Isaac Asabor, Nigerian Voice, “Fake Degrees Are Not Nigeria's Biggest Problem; Obsession With Certificates Is.”
