In an inspiring and deeply thought-provoking address, Engr. Mustapha Habu, CEO of Engausa Global Tech Hub, spoke passionately on a topic that should resonate with every Nigerian student: “Balancing Academic Success with Skills Enhancement.” Delivered at Bayero University Kano (BUK), his message went far beyond motivation; it was a clarion call for a shift in mindset.
“What is a certificate if it doesn’t come with a skill?” Engr. Mustapha asked the audience. He challenged the conventional education system that focuses solely on theoretical knowledge while ignoring practical skills. In an era where even smartphones can “memorize and analyze,” he argued, graduates must go beyond memorization they must do.
While universities focus on cognitive learning, the other two domains are often ignored. Character is developed through mentorship, religious values, and community service. Practical skills, however, require intentional effort students must actively seek them out.
Mustapha Habu stressed the importance of mentors in shaping character and guiding students through real-world learning. “Your lecturers, if they care, can be your mentors,” he said. “But if they don’t, find someone who will.” He recounted how his own journey was influenced by mentors and personal initiative by the time he was a 300-level Electrical Engineering student, he was already financially independent through skills like laptop and desktop repairs.
In a highly interactive session, Engr. Mustapha engaged students from various departments. While many admitted they only learned theory in school, a few proudly shared the skills they had acquired outside university such as front-end development, embedded systems, and even fashion design. These students were praised as assets, not liabilities.
He cited examples of global shifts where billionaires like Dangote confessed that if given another chance, they would invest in digital skills over traditional industries. From blogging to scent production, he shared how Engausa Hub helped young people turn small skills into thriving businesses even leading some to become employers.
Engr. Mustapha didn’t shy away from addressing a cultural issue: dependence. He noted how many Northern Nigerian students still rely on parents for basic needs, unlike their Southern counterparts who often learn small trades to support themselves. “You must not wait for your curriculum to be updated. Skills are already in it you just need to do them.”
To reclaim value in education and relevance in the job market, students must:
- Learn marketable skills alongside their degrees.
- Find mentors who will push and guide them.
- Practice character development through service and discipline.
- Hold themselves and institutions accountable for practical learning.
“If you only know and cannot do, you’re less useful than a smartphone,” Engr. Mustapha concluded. “But if you act, if you build, if you solve problems, then you are a true graduate.”
This is more than a speech. It is a challenge. A challenge to every Nigerian student to stop chasing certificates and start building skills that serve humanity.
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