ASE VC, Prof Adedimeji, Advocates Education Beyond Certificates at FCE Iwo Maiden Convocation

T The Vice Chancellor of the African School of Economics, Prof. Mahfouz A. Adedimeji, has called for a radical shift in Nigeria’s education system, urging institutions to move beyond certificate acquisition and focus on competence, character, and resilience.

Delivering the maiden convocation lecture at the Federal College of Education, Iwo on Thursday, February 12, 2026, Prof. Adedimeji presented a thought-provoking paper titled “Education Beyond Certification: Building Relevance and Resilience in a Disrupted Economy.”

The lecture examined the widening gap between certification and actual capability in a rapidly changing socio-economic environment.

Opening his address with a striking illustration of a graduate who excels on paper but struggles in practical demonstration, the professor said the scenario reflects a painful reality in the education sector.

“Certificates may prove schooling, but they do not always prove readiness,” he said.

According to him, education must shift its emphasis from mere graduation to formation, from credentials to capability, and from routine knowledge to resilience.

He argued that true education develops the “Three H’s” — Head (knowledge), Heart (values), and Hands (skills) — warning that when any of these dimensions is missing, society suffers the consequences.

“When education fails to develop knowledge, character, and practical competence together, society pays the price. Poorly trained professionals become dangers rather than assets,” he stated.

Adedimeji described Nigeria’s economy as disrupted by inflation, unemployment, insecurity, technological change, and heavy oil dependence. In such an environment, he noted, the key question is no longer whether one has a certificate, but whether one can solve problems and adapt.

“The economy now rewards judgment, creativity, collaboration, digital competence, and ethical integrity more than memorized knowledge,” he said.

He referenced concepts such as signalling theory and credentialism to explain how certificates often serve as status symbols rather than proof of skill.

“Certificates are useful, but they are not the same as education,” he emphasized.

The Vice Chancellor identified resilience as the missing ingredient in many graduates and institutions.

“Resilience is not just personal toughness; it is the ability to adapt and function effectively despite challenges. In a disrupted economy, resilience is survival,” he declared.

He added that resilient institutions must ensure learning continuity during crises, integrate digital systems, and align curricula with real-world realities.

He proposed six major reforms, including curriculum redesign to focus on real-life capabilities, adoption of problem-based learning, stronger industry partnerships, digital inclusion, and early research engagement for students.

He urged institutions to redesign assessment systems to test competence rather than memory and called on society to stop celebrating certificates alone.

“Culture must change. We must start rewarding competence and character as the true outcomes of education,” he said.

Addressing students, he encouraged lifelong learning, ethical stamina, and innovation.

“Keep learning beyond graduation. Produce output. Turn challenges into opportunities,” he advised, likening resilient individuals to coffee that transforms hot water rather than being destroyed by it.

Quoting a Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), he concluded: “The best of people are those who are most beneficial to people. Education must produce beneficial people — competent, ethical, adaptable, and resilient.”