Former Defence Minister to Graduates: Build Digital Skills to Secure High-Paying Careers

A former Minister of Defence, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN), has advised graduating students of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, to focus on developing practical skills that complement their academic qualifications. He emphasized that relying solely on certificates is no longer enough in today’s competitive and fast-evolving job market.

Speaking during the 36th convocation lecture of the university, Kayode urged the graduates to embrace continuous learning, especially in digital fields that drive economic growth and global innovation.

Graduates Told to Prioritise Digital Skills

Kayode stressed that young Nigerians must recognise that formal education is only a starting point. According to him, the modern labour market demands continuous upskilling, especially in technology-driven sectors.

He encouraged the graduates to explore online learning platforms and acquire certifications that can boost their career prospects. He noted that free and paid digital training courses are readily available on YouTube, Coursera, LinkedIn and other global platforms.

He said that employers increasingly prioritise demonstrable skills over certificates, adding that practical expertise often opens more opportunities than academic titles alone.

Opportunities in the Digital and Creative Economy

Kayode highlighted the rapid growth of the digital economy, creative industry, and tech innovation across the world and in Nigeria. He urged the graduates to position themselves for opportunities in these expanding sectors by building strong digital literacy as a foundation.

According to him, digital skills are essential across modern industries, whether in engineering, finance, media, healthcare or entrepreneurship. He encouraged graduates to take advantage of the growing global demand for tech talent and use their skills to create jobs for themselves and others.

Call for Stronger Support for Technical and Vocational Education

The former Minister also called on federal and state governments to integrate Technical and Vocational Education and Training into the national curriculum as a priority policy. He said TVET programmes should be strengthened to the point where they can award degrees and compete with traditional academic pathways.

He added that increasing budgetary allocations for TVET centres across all local government areas would boost innovation, skill development and job creation.

Kayode also recommended fiscal incentives such as tax breaks and subsidies for private companies that invest in skill development, training centres and apprenticeship programmes. He noted that partnerships between major industries and educational institutions would accelerate practical learning and prepare youth for high-demand careers.

FUTA Graduates 2,747 Students, Including 240 First-Class Honours

During the convocation ceremony, FUTA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, announced that 2,747 students completed their degree programmes, with 240 earning first-class honours.

She explained that 1,479 students graduated with second-class upper division, 912 with second-class lower division, and 116 with third-class honours.

The Vice-Chancellor stated that the university is proud of the academic achievements of the graduating class and remains committed to producing graduates equipped with the skills required to contribute to national development.