The summit, themed, ‘Nigeria’s obsession with paper qualification and integrity of public examinations: Is TVET the way forward,’ served as a platform for prominent voices to challenge the status quo.
The Cost of Certificate Worship
Speaking on the urgent need for a shift, UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, asserted that Nigeria must begin to rethink its deep-rooted obsession with certificates. Represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Development Services, Prof. Afolabi Lesi, she argued that the nation's educational system must transition to a model that rewards competencies, demonstrable skills, and the right attitudes rather than solely paper qualifications.
This culture of attaching excessive value to degrees, the VC warned, has not only fueled unhealthy competition but has also driven widespread examination malpractice. The societal pressure to acquire a degree at all costs, often irrespective of genuine knowledge, means many learners pursue certificates purely for the social and economic rewards they guarantee. To combat cheating, the VC called for stronger adoption of digital systems, citing them as the most effective technological deterrent against examination malpractice.
Elevating Technical and Vocational Education
Chief Olawunmi Gasper, former Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), echoed this sentiment, noting that for decades, Nigeria has operated under a flawed philosophy that equates a certificate with competence, character, and productivity. This has created a detrimental culture where the ultimate goal of schooling is simply obtaining a certificate, frequently regardless of the means of acquisition.
Gasper pointedly stated that when a society prioritises paper over creativity, practical ability, innovation, and character, it creates an environment where shortcuts and unethical practices inevitably prevail.
He championed Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a global driver of industrialisation, innovation, entrepreneurship, and employment. Lamentably, in Nigeria, TVET is often mistakenly viewed as a fallback option for academic “failures,” a perception that must urgently change.
Gasper outlined key reforms necessary to signal a true shift toward a skill-driven economy:
- Upgrading technical colleges.
- Introducing new curricula aligned with modern industry demands.
- Emphasising digital skills, renewable energy, and creative industries.
- Establishing robust, modern apprenticeship systems.
He stressed that TVET is not a lesser path; it is the foundation for skills, creativity, innovation, and problem-solving, which are critically needed in a rapidly automating world. “Nigeria needs technicians, creative artists, renewable energy installers, robotics experts, fabricators, and countless other skilled professionals,” he affirmed, urging a national challenge to the certificate obsession by promoting programmes that combine technical mastery with entrepreneurship.
The lack of emphasis on skills manifests in a structural imbalance, according to Mojeed Alabi, Chairman of EWAN. In his welcome address, Alabi noted that Nigeria produces a large number of engineers but very few technicians, with only a handful willing to pursue technical training. This disparity leaves critical sectors responsible for building infrastructure critically underserved.
Adding to the problem, Prof. Idris Bugaje, Executive Director of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), highlighted a lack of sufficient dedicated TVET institutions, with many existing ones regrettably being converted into certificate-focused universities. Bugaje, represented by Mr Ayo Aroge, Director of the NBTE Southwest Regional Office, insisted that the country's need for technicians and skilled professionals far outweighs its need for an increasing number of purely academic qualifications.
Restoring Examination Integrity
The discussion also turned to the integrity of public examinations. Prof. Ibrahim Dantani, Registrar of the National Examination Council (NECO), stressed the need to focus on foundational elements to strengthen the education system. This includes ensuring the high quality of teachers and teacher education, alongside addressing school infrastructure, syllabus design, and proper implementation guidelines.
Dr. Amos Dangut, Head of the Nigeria Office for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), observed that the problem often starts at the family level, influencing how examinations are perceived. He stated that many students resort to cheating because they do not understand their own deficiencies, suggesting the issue goes beyond simple malpractice. To truly address this, he called for a focus on the entire learning ecosystem, from early childhood education and teacher training to developing societal support structures that ensure students are adequately prepared.
Ultimately, the consensus among experts, which also included a call for improved infrastructure investment from Chief Yomi Otubela, National President of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), is clear: Nigeria must shift its educational and societal value system from worshipping paper to celebrating practical competence if it intends to achieve meaningful and accelerated development.