Experts have condemned the country’s fixation and growing obsession with certificates as a measure of competence, advocating a shift to skills acquisition and competency-based education.

They noted that the emphasis on certificates over competence has weakened standards, aided malpractice, and hindered national development.

These were some of the resolutions at the 2025 annual summit of the Education Writers’ Association of Nigeria (EWAN), held at the University of Lagos, Akoka.

The summit, which brought together heavyweights in the education sector, including heads of examination bodies, university regulatory agencies, policymakers, education administrators, students, and industry players, had as its theme: “Nigeria’s Obsession with Paper Qualification and Integrity of Public Examinations: Is TVET the Way Forward?”

A former Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB) and chairman of the summit, Mr. Olawunmi Gasper, noted that the country has for decades operated on the philosophy of equating certificates with competence, character and productivity, a situation that, he said, has resulted in graduates with good grades being unable to justify the same in intellectual capacity.

According to him, this fixation has created a culture where the aim of schooling is no longer knowledge or genuine mastery but obtaining certificates, often through unethical means.

The president of the Yoruba Tennis Club also emphasised that technical education is fundamental to industrialisation, innovation and employment, noting that TVET is not a fallback or a lesser path for those who do not excel academically.

“Our nation needs mechanics, underground water engineers, welders, coders, robotics fabricators, carpenters, and others with degrees. If Nigeria is serious about reducing unemployment and building a productive workforce, TVET is the way forward,” he said.

The Registrar of the National Examinations Council (NECO), Ibrahim Dantani, speaking as a panelist, said certification should reflect the value of knowledge and skills gained over time.

He observed that meaningful learning in Nigeria is undermined by gaps in curriculum quality, teacher preparation, school infrastructure and assessment design.

To correct this anomaly, he said the sector must redesign curricula, retain the best hands in teaching, improve infrastructure and enforce implementation guidelines consistently.

The Head of the National Office of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Amos Dangut, emphasised the place of certification, insisting that those who study TVET should be certified at the end of their training. He noted that “the gap between competence, holding certificates, and being able to defend them remains a concern.”

Represented by the council’s Senior Deputy Registrar for Test Development, Rosemary Ojo-Odide, he said examination malpractice often stems not from deliberate dishonesty but from ignorance and inadequate preparation on the part of candidates. He expressed concern over the use of GSM phones and emerging digital tricks that compromise examination integrity.

To tighten control, he said WAEC has set up an Examination Committee, strengthened collaboration with security agencies, digitalised monitoring and supervision, and overhauled continuous assessment procedures.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Professor Idris Bugaje, said a major shift may be underway in Nigeria’s education landscape, as the Board may scrap the Higher National Diploma (HND) programme by 2026 to end the perceived bias against its holders.

Bugaje, represented by the Board’s South-West Zonal Director, Ayo Aroge, said the long-standing bias against HND holders is undermining technical and vocational education in the country.

He disclosed that a proposal before the National Assembly seeks the complete abolition of the HND qualification and the transition of polytechnics into degree-awarding institutions, with the capacity to offer the Master of Technology (MTech) where feasible

“In a country serious about education, technical colleges should be given greater priority, as we cannot keep looking for solutions where they do not exist. We need more technical colleges,” he said.

The President of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Yomi Otubela, linked the roots of malpractice to poor policy implementation and weak coordination among stakeholders. Speaking on the gradual introduction of CB-WASSCE, he said its execution requires careful planning and involvement of all relevant stakeholders.

The Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, also echoed the call to rethink the national obsession with certificates. She said Nigeria must begin rewarding competence and the right attitudes rather than degrees alone.

Mrs. Ogunsola, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Development Services), Professor Afolabi Lesi, stated: “As a university, we champion certification, but we also recognise that having a degree is not enough. If you lack the skills and competencies that back your degree, then you have nothing.”

He said pressures created by the chase for degrees fuel exam malpractice and distort the meaning of education. He also warned that the public remains largely unaware of ongoing reforms, arguing that education reporters have a duty to close the information gap.

Other speakers observed that Nigeria’s education space is highly certificate-driven, with certificates used as the main determinant of employment, social mobility and status.

They highlighted widespread incidents of malpractice in public examinations, intense pressure on students to obtain certificates, and systemic loopholes that undermine the integrity of assessment processes.

They recommended urgent reforms to strengthen the conduct, monitoring and security of public examinations, including investments in technology, capacity building and stricter sanctions for malpractice.

They noted that computer-based examinations can reduce malpractice to less than 1 per cent, aligning with international standards, but their implementation is challenged by infrastructural deficits, poor consultation with critical stakeholders and weak policy execution.

Highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to distinguished individuals in recognition of outstanding contributions to the advancement of education in Nigeria.

Former Nigerian Representative to UNESCO, Professor Michael Omolewa, received the Icon of Education Award. He was represented by Dr Olusola Ige of the Department of Adult Education, University of Lagos.

The outgoing Vice Chancellor of Babcock University, Professor Ademola Tayo, received the Award of Long Years of Education Service for 10 years of partnership and support for EWAN. He was represented by Dr Ifeoluwa Atakiti, head, Department of Mass Communication.

The Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, sponsor of the Maltina Teacher of the Year Award, received the Award of Corporate Investment in Education for its consistent support to teachers and schools. The organisation was represented by the Director, Corporate Affairs, Mr Uzodinma Odenigbo.

Chief Kesington Adebutu, Chairman of the KAAF Foundation, received the Award of Investment in Public Education for his philanthropic contributions to education. (Nigerian Tribune)