The managing director of Success Learning Centre, Kolawole Bakare, has called on the Nigerian government to make changes to the country’s educational system. He underlined the necessity of moving away from the conventional four-year degree model and towards a more flexible approach that incorporates micro-credentials and skill-based learning while speaking at the opening of a new study centre in Ikeja, Lagos. He noted that short-term skill acquisition programs that offer instant market applicability are becoming more and more popular in other nations. Bakare attacked the existing educational system, claiming that many graduates had trouble finding employment, rendering their degrees useless.
According to him, Education should change people and provide them useful skills. Since many students are unsure about what to study or how to choose a career path, he blamed the issue on a lack of knowledge. The goal of the Success Learning Centre is to assist students, particularly those who have finished their West African Examination Council (WAEC) exams but are unsure about what to do next. The centre offers ICT and business certification courses both in-person and online, with online instruction being the more cost-effective choice.
Micro-credential programs are becoming more and more popular worldwide.
Bakare shared his own story, describing how he advanced his career considerably by pursuing his first degree at the age of 46 and going on to acquire two master’s degrees. Whether via education or skill development, he emphasised the value of lifelong learning and self-promotion. Bakare recommended that the Curriculum be updated by the government to reflect contemporary developments, in the field of technology, in order to enhance education in Nigeria. He pointed out that Nigeria’s Educational System is still antiquated, while acknowledging the advantages of artificial intelligence.
Although he accepted the need for Regulation to uphold educational standards, he also made the point that overly stringent restrictions impede growth. Bakare’s early 1990s computer-related experiences served as the impetus for the Success Learning Centre, and in 1997 he opened a computer training school. In spite of the center’s expansion, he noted that inadequate Internet Access and unstable Electricity were the main operational issues, which he intends to resolve by putting in solar power. Micro-credential programs are becoming more and more popular worldwide as adaptable, focused training options that give students specialised abilities in line with business needs.
De-emphasising traditional four-year degrees may have disadvantages.
This strategy was first used in Australia in 2014 by Deakin University, which offered digital badges for proficiency in subjects including financial planning and cybersecurity through its DeakinSync platform. Professionals have been able to effectively upskill thanks to this program, satisfying the changing demands of the labour market. In a similar vein, in June 2022, the European Union issued a Recommendation on micro-credentials with the goal of standardising and recognising these credentials among its member states. By enabling students to develop and demonstrate skills relevant to a variety of industries, this strategy promotes lifelong learning and improves employability. The gap between employability and higher Education in Nigeria is glaring.
Even though the number of university graduates has significantly increased, many still suffer Unemployment because they lack the practical skills that businesses require. 54% of Nigerian youngsters are unemployed, according to a research, which blames the problem on out-of-date curricula that place more emphasis on theory than on real-world application. The nation’s unemployment problems are made worse by this educational disparity, which leaves graduates unprepared for the workforce. De-emphasising traditional four-year degrees may have disadvantages, even though combining micro-credentials with skills-based education offers intriguing alternatives.
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Specialised micro-credentials may not offer the wide knowledge foundation and critical thinking skills that traditional degrees cultivate. Furthermore, official credentials and a great deal of schooling are essential in some professions, like law or medicine. Over-reliance on micro-credentials also carries the risk of creating a fragmented learning experience, in which students gain many certifications without developing a comprehensive understanding of their area. In order to meet the many needs of the workforce and society, a well-rounded strategy that incorporates both conventional and contemporary educational courses may be the most successful.