Education Reimagined: The essential role of skill acquisition in today’s world, by Dr Hassan Funsho Akande

I would like to share a story of resilience and personal growth that serves as a testament to the importance of skill acquisition over mere degree acquisition.

In 1996, my brother had just completed his third attempt at WAEC. A chance encounter with a family friend sparked a shift in his mindset. He was encouraged to use a six-month holiday to learn a craft rather than just spend it leisurely. He took this advice to heart and embarked on a journey to acquire practical skills. He learned circuitry and, later during an industrial training period in Kaduna, delved into the world of computers.

Over the years, these skills have become his primary source of livelihood, with his formal education serving a supportive role. His journey exemplifies the potential of skill acquisition to pave the way for gainful employment and self-sufficiency.

In today’s world, there is an increasing trend towards over-emphasis on degree acquisition. While formal education is undoubtedly valuable, it is not always a guaranteed ticket to employment. We see countless degree holders struggling to find jobs due to a saturated market or a MISMATCH BETWEEN THEIR SKILLS AND MARKET NEEDS.

This raises the question: Can we balance the scale? Can we place equal importance on skill acquisition and degree acquisition? By promoting practical skills, we can empower individuals to become self-reliant, reducing unemployment, and fostering a more diverse, dynamic workforce.

The key takeaway from my Imam’s experience is the essential role skill acquisition plays in creating job opportunities and improving personal growth. To mitigate the issue of unemployment, we must adopt a holistic approach to education that equally emphasizes practical skills and theoretical knowledge. It is time to encourage skill acquisition as an effective means of addressing unemployment and enriching our societies.

The journey of life teaches us that our abilities are not measured merely by the certificates we hold but by the skills we possess and how we use them to contribute to society. Education coupled with skill acquisition is indeed the pathway to a fulfilling and productive life.

Dr Hassan Funsho Akande is a lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering
Kaduna State Polytechnic, Kaduna.