A former Minister of Defence, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN), has advised graduating students of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, to look beyond their academic certificates and equip themselves with additional practical and digital skills to remain competitive in today’s fast-evolving labour market.

Kayode, who delivered the convocation lecture at FUTA’s 36th convocation ceremony on Friday, said young Nigerians must embrace continuous learning, noting that formal education alone is no longer sufficient to guarantee career success or financial independence.

He urged the graduates to pursue online courses, certifications, and vocational training, stressing that employers increasingly prioritise competence over credentials.

“My dear youths, do not wait for institutions to provide everything. Actively seek out online courses, certifications, boot camps, and apprenticeships in high-demand fields outside traditional academics,” he said. “There are several free online courses and practical training available on platforms such as YouTube, Coursera, LinkedIn, and more. Even if they are not certified, they are still useful. You will learn and acquire the skills you seek.”

Kayode added that self-reliance and entrepreneurship are now essential, arguing that the global skills gap presents huge opportunities for young people to innovate and build small businesses capable of creating jobs for others.

He emphasised digital literacy as a core requirement for all graduates regardless of discipline. “Digital literacy is a must, irrespective of your degree. All modern jobs require it. The richest people in the world today are in the digital economy. In Nigeria, young people are excelling in the creative and tech spaces. You need basic digital literacy first, and then you can scale up,” he said.

The former Minister of Labour also called for comprehensive reforms in Technical and Vocational Education and Training, noting that governments at all levels must integrate TVET into the national curriculum and position it as a first-choice career pathway.

“There must be a clear directive to mainstream TVET into the educational curriculum as a national priority. This will eliminate the perception that TVET is a fallback option,” he said.

He recommended increased government funding for modern TVET centres across all local government areas and urged the private sector to support technical training through partnerships, apprenticeships, and investment incentives. “Fiscal incentives, including tax breaks and subsidies, should be offered to companies that establish skills centres or partner with educational institutions,” he added.

In her remarks, FUTA Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, announced that 2,747 students will graduate this year, with 240 earning first-class honours.

She said 1,479 students finished with second-class upper division, 912 with second-class lower division, and 116 with third-class honours.

The university had earlier confirmed that 240 first-class students would receive their degrees during the convocation, marking one of the highest in its recent history.