There are currently over 170 recognized universities in Nigeria today, and every young child fresh out of secondary school is expected to attend one of these universities or, better yet, pursue a high education outside the country.
Even though some of the world’s richest men today don’t even have a university degree, the average Nigerian still very much reveres and holds to a higher standard people with a university degree.
And this is rather perplexing for a country where the majority of its university graduates are unemployed.
Does that mean tertiary education isn’t for everyone? What else can the Nigerian youth do as an alternative to getting a tertiary education?
Is tertiary education for everyone?
Education in Nigeria has spiraled down to the point of mediocrity.
Universities are always on strike extending the course length of a student, and for those who manage to scale through and graduate, there isn’t much to look forward to becoming of lack of places of employment.
However, just because the Nigerian education system for all sectors is a farce doesn’t mean getting a tertiary education or a university degree is a mistake.
On the contrary, obtaining a college degree opens you up to so many opportunities as well as exposes you to what adulthood has in store.
The University is also a great place to formulate long-lasting relationships that can build you into the adult you’re to become.
Depending on what you decide to study in school, with a university degree, you have many options to choose from in what future career path you pick
· You can use your degree in getting a job
· Further your education and be able to lecture or instruct
· Or become an entrepreneur
That’s the beauty of getting a degree, the options you get to choose from.
However, the truth of the matter is, tertiary education is not for everyone.
What are the alternatives?
If you ever come to the realization that university education is not for you, it might be bothersome to even to yourself, but it’s not the end of the world.
Whether you choose to opt out of the option of tertiary education because of financial or personal reasons, there are still other options open to you in terms of career paths and earning a living.
· Take an online course
Just because you opt out of going to a conventional university doesn’t mean you should cancel the option of getting an education altogether.
There are so many online universities offering inexpensive courses online for you to take.
And what’s so great about them is that they don’t take as long as conventional schooling.
You can acquire several skills with certification within a year from the comfort of your home.
There are so many online courses to choose from; digital marketing courses, graphics design, programming, etc.
The learning process isn’t as tedious as a conventional Nigerian university, there’s no incidence of a strike or being held back because of union issues, and most of these certifications or online degrees are recognized worldwide.
· Become an entrepreneur
For many people who decide against the regular education route, starting their own business is the path they choose to take.
Professional courses and 9-5 working hours don’t work for everyone, and that’s why they take their chances at being entrepreneurs.
Being an entrepreneur gives you the Chance to being your own boss, doing what you’re actually passionate about, and still being able to make a profit, especially when your business is successful.
· Start freelancing
If you have a marketable legal skill that you can sell and earn money, then freelancing is definitely for you.
By becoming a freelancer, you get the chance of earning money by doing something you’re good at.
Plus, for many platforms, it doesn’t require a university degree or even certification of any kind.
There are several freelancing jobs you can choose from; writing, Virtual personal assistant, etc.
· Intern/volunteer
You can always take intern or volunteering positions in different establishments and, if possible, gain knowledge, experience and work your way up the corporate ladder.
Most industries don’t require you to have a university degree to intern/volunteer at their establishment.
You don’t even need to intern for financial or career-related reasons, and you can use interning as a means to find out what industry works best for you.
· Invest in crypto
The world we live in now is a digital market, and cryptocurrency is the only legal tender.
Most people are learning crypto trading as well as Forex trading as a way to build wealth.
This is a great alternative if you’ve decided to opt-out of going to a conventional university.
Conclusion
Different things work for different people, and it’s unfortunate that the Nigerian culture upholds getting a university degree above everything else.
But that isn’t the end-all of acquiring wealth, nor is it a reflection of a person’s intelligence or social standing.
In a country where more people are trooping out of the universities with nowhere to work, maybe the alternatives are the best decision for you.
However, it’s still a matter of choice and personal preference.
