A former Minister of Defence, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN), has urged graduating students of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) to prioritise digital competence and continuous skill development over dependence on academic certificates alone.
Kayode delivered the charge on Friday as the institution held its 36th Convocation Lecture.

Addressing the graduating class, he stressed that while formal education remains important, it is no longer sufficient in a rapidly evolving job market powered by technology and innovation. The former minister noted that employers increasingly favour practical abilities and problem-solving capacity over traditional degrees.

“Do not wait for institutions to provide everything,” he told the students. “Actively seek online courses, certifications, boot camps, and apprenticeships in high-demand areas. Many of these resources are free on platforms such as YouTube, Coursera, and LinkedIn. Even without certificates, the knowledge you gain sets you apart.”

Kayode highlighted the dominance of the digital economy, pointing out that the world’s wealthiest individuals built fortunes on technological innovation. He urged graduates to build foundational digital skills and scale up as they grow in their careers, adding that Nigerian youths are already making significant breakthroughs in tech and the creative industries.

Speaking further, the former Minister of Labour reiterated the need for a national shift toward Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). He called on governments at all levels to integrate TVET into the mainstream curriculum and empower institutions to award degrees, noting that a strong TVET culture would help reduce unemployment and close Nigeria’s widening skills gap.

He advocated massive investment in TVET centres across the 774 local government areas, alongside incentives such as tax breaks and subsidies to encourage private-sector involvement in training hubs and apprenticeship schemes.

FUTA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, also addressed the gathering and announced that 2,747 students are graduating this year, including an outstanding 240 first-class achievers. She provided the full degree classification as follows: 240 First Class, 1,479 Second Class Upper, 912 Second Class Lower, and 116 Third Class.

Oladiji applauded the graduates for their dedication and resilience, noting that FUTA remains committed to producing world-class scientists, innovators, and technologists equipped to shape the future.