Professor Ishaq Oloyede, the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has asserted that university degrees alone should no longer be considered the sole guarantee of employment in the contemporary information age.
Speaking during the convocation lecture at Kwara State University (KWASU) in Malete, Kwara State, he emphasized the critical need to focus on demonstrable skills in addition to academic qualifications.
Titled “Learning, Unlearning, and Relearning – Prerequisites of the Digital Age,” Oloyede’s lecture underscored the imperative for Nigerians to prepare for the challenges of the information age through lifelong learning and adaptability. A Professor of Islamics, he highlighted that learning must be accompanied by practical application and stressed the significance of relearning – the rapid acquisition of new skills, knowledge, and perspectives.
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Oloyede asserted, “Those who can learn, relearn, and unlearn are the successful ones, and those without the mindset that accommodates the triad are bound to perpetually lament.” He pointed out the evolving nature of the Information Age, driven by rapid technological developments, and its impact on job opportunities.
Noting the shift in employment landscape, he mentioned that certain traditional jobs, such as typists, receptionists, and telephone booth operators, are on the verge of extinction. Oloyede urged individuals to acquire cutting-edge skills associated with learning, relearning, and unlearning, emphasizing that literacy alone would not suffice in the face of these changes.
Addressing institution graduates, Oloyede emphasized that learning, unlearning, and relearning are indispensable compasses for navigating the uncharted territories of the Digital Age. He encouraged them to embrace these principles, setting themselves apart and empowering them to face the challenges and seize the opportunities presented by the rapidly changing world.
The acting vice-chancellor of KWASU, Professor Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh, echoed Oloyede’s sentiments, highlighting the need for educational institutions to serve as catalysts for transformation. He emphasized the role of universities in preparing graduates not only for current challenges but also for the continually evolving landscape of the digital age, characterized by unprecedented technological advancements.
